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The front door creaked a little too loudly as I slipped inside, hoping to sneak upstairs before anyone noticed. No such luck.
"Angel?" my mom's voice called from the kitchen.
I froze for half a second, then tried to play it cool.
"Yeah, it's me."
"Where were you?" she asked, stepping into the living room, wiping her hands on a dish towel. My dad was right behind her, arms crossed.
"Didn't you have school today?" he added.
I scratched the back of my neck. "I did. I went out after though...just hung out for a bit."
"With who?" my mom asked, eyebrows raising slightly.
"Uh a friend," I said, trying to keep my tone casual. "We just grabbed food, nothing wild."
My dad didn't say anything right away, just gave me that long, unreadable stare like he was trying to decide how hard to press.
"You didn't let us know," he finally said. "You know we worry."
"I know," I said quickly. "I forgot. My bad. It wasn't planned or anything it just happened after school."
My mom nodded slowly, clearly still trying to gauge whether she should keep digging. "Next time, just shoot us a text. You're not in trouble, we just want to know you're safe."
"Got it," I said. "I'm good, I promise."
Dad didn't say much after that, but his eyes lingered a moment longer than I liked before he finally turned back toward the kitchen. The tension let up just enough for me to breathe again.
I started up the stairs, and of course, waiting halfway up the hall like a dramatic little gremlin was Zarina, leaning against the wall with her phone in hand and a look that screamed I know something.
"Sup?" I said, narrowing my eyes at her.
She grinned wide. "So you and Mr. Tattoo Hands were looking real cozy in the parking lot today."
I groaned. "Seriously?"
"Dead serious. Word travels fast. Apparently a few people saw you getting in his car. I already got like three texts asking if you have a grown boyfriend."
"He's not—" I started, then stopped. "We're just hanging out."
"Mmm," she said, clearly not buying it. "Hanging out with someone who looks like that? Please."
I rolled my eyes, brushing past her to get to my room. "People are so nosy."
"They are," she agreed, following me in anyway, plopping down on my bed uninvited. "Also, you're lucky you're cute, because the way you danced around mom and dad's questions just now was awful."
