"Hi..." I said as my parents hugged me.
"Honey where were you? We got here ten minutes ago and when we saw you weren't around we panicked. You didn't even call!"
"Mom, I only went around the block. I didn't go alone either."
"Who did you go with?" dad said.
"I went with a friend."
"Who?" my parents said at the same time.
"A friend! Okay? Just a friendly neighbor." I started for my room but mom blocked me. My parents were surrounding me like I was a pet that ran out of his cage.
"Jeff," my mom said, "Could you give us a moment?"
"Sure." And my dad took off into the kitchen.
Mom lightly guided me into my room and shut the door behind us. Right away I asked my mom if she and my dad were mad at me for leaving, she said no. My mom explained that breaking the rules and going out is part of being a teenager. She said she knew I was responsible for my actions. Mom said I should get a best friend. But it's not like best friends just fall from the sky.
As mom headed to the door, I asked:
"Um, mom?"
"Yes?"
"You know that boy across the street?"
There was a slight sigh and pause. "Yes? What about him?"
"I---," I paused, "I just saw him walking outside today that's all."
Mom nodded and left my room.
My mom, dad, and I were all at the table eating pizza when the door bell rang.
On the other table counter I saw the other pizza box that we ordered. When I asked my mom if I could have a slice from that particular pizza box she said no. I knew something suspicious was going on with my mom.
I told my parents I would get the door but they insisted that they answer it. So I waited at the dinner table while they greeted the guests in the doorway. I didn't know who it was, maybe mom's cousins, or dad's relatives.
It didn't take long for the group of people to come into our living room. But the lights were dim and I couldn't see who they were.
"Who's there mom?"
And she replied, "Our close friends. Why don't you come and join us and bring the other pizza on the counter top? I want you to meet someone."
So that's who the extra pizza was for. And that whole lecture my mom gave me about making new friends? She was preparing for this person I was going to meet. So I don't mess it up. My mom didn't care about me going out on my own, she was more worried about this girl and making a good impression.
And this particular girl's name was Jenna.
YOU ARE READING
Someone in the Trees
Novela JuvenilThere was this Girl I used to know. She was funny, helpful, and shy. I loved her like a sister. But there was something different about her that I soon discovered, that bothered me almost all the time. Our parents had known each other for a very lon...
