Such A Silly Game We Play

The 'Hanging-Out-With-A-Boy' Talk

Since I have been going out these past few days, and since mom and dad are home, I wanted to spend my Friday with them. My sisters, Maryh and Mariel, have summer classes, that's why they don't spend time here a lot during the summer. And I thought my parents might get lonely if I always leave the house.

I decided to read one of the books I bought before. Before school ended, Thea and I went to Fully Booked, and shopped 'til we dropped (well technically, until we spent all of our budget). Yes, we too are bookworms.

I went to our family room and sat down on the couch, while my dad stayed in his home-office table thing next to me. I pulled out one of the books I bought and started reading. My mom, however, was in the kitchen cooking something that smells so good, my tummy keeps grumbling.

After about half an hour, mom also sat with me on the couch, opening the TV to watch some funky-looking chef share his exotic recipes. Oh, mom. I just kept reading, not minding that weird chef. Then, I began to realize that mom kept looking my way, so looked at her.

"Hun, you've been reading a lot of romance, lovey-dovey, fiction novels for quite a while now", she said happily. And as I looked around at my dad, of course, his face looked serious and he stopped whatever it was he was doing. Oh boy.

"Mom what do you mean? I've only been reading this since..... well, now", I said with a questioning look.

"Really? Well, how about that book you were reading last week? The one with uh... the blue book with a black and white cloud on the cover?" There was something weird with the way mom was asking. I've been in this situation before, though. And I know exactly what mom was thinking.

"The Fault in Our Stars? Mom, that was like, a month ago. And yes, it is about two teenagers falling in love, but there's still more. And it is a great book that teaches you how important the people around you and how important your life is. So there you go, not a complete cliche teenage romance novel", I said with a proud voice. "Plus, I finished reading all of my Harry Potter books the past few weeks. Awesome, huh?"

Mom just smiled, but it was a smile that had something hidden in it. I'm pretty sure she was thinking about the time I arrived home with Jeff. When mom sees me talking to a guy, she always asked me about details about him. She wasn't that strict when it comes to boys, in fact she was always intrigued when she saw me with a boy. But dad? Phew. Every time he sees me talking to a boy, you can see one of his eyebrows raised and his eyes, oh boy, looks terrifying! I don't know why though, we were just talking, we weren't kissing in front of him. Geez.

"But, hun, its okay you know. You're a teenager, I understand", mom said with her soft voice.

"Well, yeah mom. I'm a 15-year old girl, NBSB (No Boyfriend Since Birth), no love life whatsoever, because I always chose to study, spend time with myself, my friends, and you guys! I think I deserve to read a cheesy romantic novel every once in a while."

"And you are definitely right my darling! Right, hun?", she turned to my dad.

"Well, yeah, I guess. For inspiration purposes, but no boyfriends yet young lady", he said with a stiff voice.