When the Clock Struck Midnight

When the Clock Struck Midnight-3

Chapter 3

          I got home, tired and exhausted. I climbed the stairs and opened my balcony doors once I entered my room. I plopped down on my bed and was tempted to fall asleep, when I heard my mother call my name. I groaned out loud. There was a knock at the door and my mom walked in. I raised an eyebrow at her. I mean, what if I was, like, half naked? Wouldn’t that be awkward?

          “Sweetie, what are you doing lying in bed like that? Why are the balcony doors open? It’s too cold to have them open now.” I rolled my eyes. If you only knew, I thought. I never told my mom why I keep those doors open. If I had, she would’ve used that as more ‘evidence’ that Jordan and I were the ‘perfect couple’. She would’ve probably thought Jordan snuck in every night and… I mentally slapped myself. Don’t think about that!

          I flipped over to find my mom closing the doors. I’d have to open them again later. She turned around and looked at me. I raised my eyebrows impatiently.

          “So, are you going to that solstice thing?” I rubbed my eyes.

          “Nope.”

          “Why not? You can go with Jordan. I bet he wants you to go,” she teased. I decided I needed to change the subject.

          “Mom, how do you know about it anyway?”

          “Jordan’s mom told me when I was over at her house today,” she replied. “So, are you going?” she repeated.

          “Dad won’t let me go. You know that.”

          “I’ll deal with your father. Now you can come with me to look for a dress.”

          “Can’t.” I sat up. Apparently I won’t be getting any sleep anytime soon. “I have homework.” It’s always the best excuse, especially with parents. My mom sighed dramatically and raised her hands up in defeat.

          “Alright, fine. I have to go, though. We’re running low on milk. I’ll be back soon,” she said and walked out. I smiled to myself. Works every time.

          I got up and opened my doors again. Then, I started on my homework. I wasn’t kidding when I said I had homework.

          Three and a half hours later, I heard the front door open and close. It was too early for it to be Dad, so it must be my mom, which made me wonder what she’d been up to for the past three hours.

          Mom was setting the table when I came downstairs. Dad walked in ten minutes later. We were having spaghetti and meatballs. Original, I know.

          “So, Glenn,” Mom began. “Holly was thinking of going to the dance tomorrow night, and she wants to know if she can go.” I froze. I clenched my teeth and glared at my plate. How can she do that? I thought I told her I didn’t want to go. Maybe I wasn’t clear enough for her. Why is she asking for me? Shouldn’t I be the one asking?           “Mom,” I warned. She put a hand up to stop me.

          “Come on, Glenn. It’s just a school dance. There’s no harm in it. Let her go.”

          Dad sat there, looking from my mother to me, then back.

          “Don’t you have homework?” I bit back a smile.

          “No, Dad. It’s on a Friday.” He snorted.

          “See, so you might as well let her go,” Mom cut in and I glared at her.

          “Honey, you know I don’t approve of Holly going to dances, especially with the dresses girls are wearing these days.”