Page 162 of Nobody's Girl

I’ve made a mistake in allowing her to stay away from me. Somehow I’ll fix this. I pray my plans for our dinner on my birthday will help her to see what our life together will be like. Perhaps that will persuade her to let her feelings for the boy go.

Please let it do the trick!

CHAPTER 3

ALYSSA

It’s official, my parents are bat-shit crazy! They interrogated me for more than an hour about what all Kyle and I have done. I didn’t tell them every little thing, but it seems they’re not satisfied with my word of still having my virginity intact.

Mom said I have to let our family doctor check me out to be sure I’m telling them the truth. How horrible will that be?

I’ll never be able to look at Doctor Baker in the eyes again!

My birthday cannot come soon enough. This life is just about over. I’m so out of here. They’ll throw a fit, I’m sure. Thank God Texas is so far away.

A knock at my bedroom door makes me jump. “Who is it?”

“Mom, sweetie.” Her voice sounds angelic.

I’m not buying it.

“I’m asleep,” I say as I dive under the blankets.

“It’ll just take a moment, dear, please,” she says.

Sure it will. Probably wants a sample of my blood or urine to run a pregnancy test.

“The door isn’t locked. Come in.”

Peeking around the side of my door, I swear she looks sorry and somewhat embarrassed. “Alyssa, I didn’t want you to fall asleep without me telling you this.”

I roll my eyes at her. “What now?”

The touch of her hand on my shoulder does little to comfort me as she sits on the bed. “It’s about going to see Doctor Baker in the morning. Your father and I have changed our minds about that. We believe you. You’ve never lied to us prior to this instance. I hope you feel you can be completely truthful with us, sweetie.”

Her eyes droop. She’s sad and so am I. “Mom, I hated to keep that from you guys. I really did. It wouldn’t have been necessary if you would let me do normal things like other young adults get to do.”

The way she’s biting her bottom lip makes me wonder what’s going through her head. “Alyssa, we realize it’s difficult to understand our actions. Teenagers sometimes make really poor decisions. You’re just too special for us to let something bad to happen to you.”

I’m too special?

“Mom, I’m no more special than anyone else. You’ve raised me to make good decisions. The time has come to let me make some of my own. I’m ready to take life head on. The opportunity to leave this small town and all its securities is just what I need to move forward. I love you guys, but you need to let my fly.”

A sparkle flashes in her eyes for reasons I don’t understand. “Frankly, Alyssa, I’m glad to hear you say that. The time has come for some changes. It pleases me, and it will your father as well, to see you’re ready to move forward with your life. Our greatest fear was that change would frighten you.”

I laugh. “I’m so ready for change. You have no idea.”

Her lips brush over my forehead as she gets up, leaving me. “Good night, sweetie. I love you. Always remember that we do all we do because we love you. It’s never to be mean.”

“I love you too, Mom. Tell Dad that for me too. I hate to fight with you guys,” I say as she closes the door.

I do hate to fight with them. Maybe that’s why I took so long to let them in on me and Kyle. I knew it would mean a fight.

When he gave me this ring, though, something clicked inside of me, as if I grew up a little. It became very important to me that my parents know about my relationship.

Now, snuggled down underneath my blanket, replaying the words Kyle said to me when he asked me to move to Texas with him, I try to fall asleep. My mind is moving so fast. In three weeks, all things will change. A month from now my life will not even be recognizable.

CHAPTER 4