Things I Shouldn't Have Done

seventeen.

Kyla Foster

I'm frozen. I do not know what to say. I don't even know if I should say anything. I think what mom just saw speaks for itself. I can see three emotions in her eyes - shock, anger, disappointment.

"Mom..." I whisper, separating from Ryker. He hangs his head in shame.

"Go outside. I have to talk to my daughter."

Without further ado, Ryker gets up and leaves the room. I remain sitting on the bed and my mother approaches me. Then slap me. The slap hurts less than the disappointment in her face.

"How could you, Kyla?" she asked, her voice shaking with anger.

"How could you betray your best friend like this? Madison trusts you and you... you're cheating on her with her boyfriend in our house!"

I feel tears welling up in my eyes, but I don't want to cry. I don't want to show weakness.

"Mom, I think...that I love him," I say quietly, my voice breaking.

"To love? Kyla, you are still a child! You don't know what love is!" she replies, her voice now a mixture of sadness and anger.

"I know what I feel," I say firmly, looking her straight in the eyes.

"I know Ryker is special. I know I need it. And that he needs me."

Mom looks at me for a few moments, as if evaluating my words.

"Kyla, Ryker may be a good boy, but this... this is too much. You have to be careful. You shouldn't surrender to someone so easily, especially not him. What will Madison think when she finds out? How can you be so selfish and think only of your own needs?!"

"I can't help myself..." - now I'm already crying. I can't hold back my tears anymore.

"He just wants to use you. You know who his father is and what kind of boy he is. And you put yourself in his hands..."

"Not! He's not like that!" I shout as my voice cracks. I don't want to do this. I don't want to make excuses for the mistake I make. Mom just sighs.

"You're making a huge mistake Kyle. You will lose Madison and he will break your heart."

With those words he leaves the room and I collapse on the bed. I'm breathing heavily as my mother's words run through my mind. I feel ashamed. Like I did something wrong.

But I did.

I almost jump when my phone vibrates. When I take it out of my pocket I read a message from Ryker.

Ryker: I'm in the car, get ready to go to the beach.

My cheeks immediately blush and I rush to the closet. I take my beach bag, put a bathing suit, sun cream, tan marmalade and hybricus label in it.

I put it on my shoulders and leave the room. I'm too excited about Ryker's call so I don't even think about the fact that my mom found out about us.

But she didn't forget that by standing in front of the door.

"Where do you think you're going?"

"I'm going outside," I said calmly.

"You're in trouble, Kyla. Because of everything I found out. Go to your room, and then you'll wash the dishes for me."

I shake my head and push my way to the door. I grab the doorknob and then say before exiting;

"I'm turning eighteen soon. You can't control me anymore."

Ryker's Mercedes is parked in front of the house and I jump into it. He looks at me with a smile, but doesn't say anything. He starts the car and starts driving.