Tongue Tied

Chapter 7

Chapter 7: Sophomore Year Part 1

"For someone that lives next door, he sure is late," dad says in a stern voice.

"Dad," I say to him for the hundredth time. When I told him I was going out with Sam, he locked up, struggling to say the word date. I'm excited, scared, and sweaty. Why am I sweating so much? Even in my armpits. I wipe my hands on my skirt and shake my hands. Mom, of course, was excited, so we went shopping. I settled for blue pants since we'll be outside. It shocked me when he asked me out after rehearsal, shocked that he was even interested. I tap my foot against our footstool, checking the time. "He said 8, it's 7:57."

"I'm just saying he should be prompt." He tugs the end of his sleeves and rolled them up like he was getting ready for a fight. "Where's he taking you?"

"The movies." I took out my lip gloss to retouch.

"Movies, huh?"

"Yes dad. The movies. You know, with the big screen and we eat popcorn and candy. Didn't you have that back in the day? It Costs like 50 cents for the drive in films," I smile tightly.

"Hahaha," he chuckles sarcastically.

"Don't worry, we're going in a group. They'll meet us there."

"Good." I roll my eyes and scoff to myself. The doorbell rings. He's here. I stand up, brushing my dress down. Dad reached for the door before I could.

"Dad!" I whine. I walk up when he opens the door.

"Good evening sir," Sam says in a gentle tone.

"Young man, I expect my daughter home at a reasonable time," he says bluntly.

"Honey, stop." Mom pushes him away with her hips. "Hello Sam."

"Good evening, ma'am. Sir, I'll have her home by 11." I wipe off excess lip gloss from my bottom lip with my fingernail.

"Forgive Maya's father. He's the same way with our son."

"Excuse me for not wanting unwanted pregnancies." He holds his hands up in defense.

"That's not gonna happen," I chime in, pushing my way in. "Hi." I fix the ends of my hair.

"Hi. You look great." He smiles.

"Thanks. You too. I like your jacket." Sam is dressed appropriately. Not too fancy or too casual. The black jacket compliments his frame. His trousers are fitted and he wore jordans. I rock back and forth on my heels.

"Thanks. I pull it off, huh?" He adjusts his collar.

"Yeah."

"We should be going. Jessica and Evan are waiting for us."

"Ok." I grab my purse, give mom a hug as she tells me to have fun.

"Remember, your body, your rules. Not your body, his rules," dad says in my ear when we hug.

"Yes, father. Bye."I shut the door, growling to myself,"sorry about that." I wear the strap of my purse over my chest.

"I get it. Are you ready?" He gestures to his car.

"Yes." We walk side by side to the driveway, he unlocks the doors with his car remote. He climbs in first. I walk over. He winds down the window.

"It's open," he tells me. I enter, wearing my seatbelt, waiting for him to get inside. He's texting on his phone before we leave. I look around the car, noticing the hanging scented tree over the rearview mirror. We drive in silence, I breathe out a sigh. It's fine, I can open my own door.