“Kinda,” I huff. No point in lying. “You’re right, though. I guess this has an expiration date.”
I’m positive Sloane has her whole future planned out, and me being in it wasn’t in the original design. Maybe if we’d done this two years ago, the outcome could be different. Long-term girlfriends. As is, we will have been dating less than a year before we both leave for college.
So, what is this? What was, or should I say is, the point of starting something? Sure, we can share a few kisses. Maybe be each other’s firsts. That all sounds great. Unless you factor in, I’m probably halfway in love with her already and no doubt will fall harder the more time we spend together.
“I don’t really know what to say, Sloane.”
“Damn it. Eden, I’m sorry.”
I squeeze her hand gently. “It’s okay. Best to talk about it now. Before we go any further. We could just stay friends.”
That is a horrible idea, but the safest.
“Or we could continue and see where we end up?” she says with hopeful eyes.
Of course I want to say yes immediately. I pull her into my body and claim her lips. She kisses me back just as hard.
“Is that a yes?” she says after pulling back. Her hands remain on my chest.
“It’s a…can I think about it?”
The look that crosses her face makes my chest hurt, but I need a second to think this through. I’m so close to getting through high school with no damage. Sloane Bishop could be the thing that causes the most damage if this all goes tits up.
“Sure. Shall we head back? We’ve still got an art lesson to get through. Um, that’s if you still want to. No problem if you’d prefer to reschedule.”
Stroking her cheek, I smile evilly. “Not a chance. Let’s go, Picasso. I’ve got some paint with your name on it.”
The art lesson is postponed. No sooner are we back at the car than Sloane’s mom calls, asking her to go home. Something about babysitting the neighbour’s kid due to an emergency.
“Hey, love,” Mum calls as I walk in, feeling less than great. The day started out with Sloane-shaped rainbowsand is ending with college-shaped rain clouds. It’s the first time I’m pissed to be going away to school.
“Eden, did you touch my makeup?” Lucifer screams down the stairs.
Ignoring Jenna, I kick off my boots and trudge into the living room. Doing my best impression of my devil sister, I fling myself onto the couch and groan.
Lowering her paper, Mum looks at me above her reading glasses. “Bad day, sweetheart?”
Rolling my head to the side, I look back at her and sigh. “No and yes.”
Mum sits and listens. Oh, and laughs at my vivid description of the state of my health halfway up the mountain. Which, fyi, Sloane said wasn’t a mountain but a large hill. We’ll agree to disagree.
“Eden. Just take a step back from the worst-case scenario you’re currently visiting in your head.”
Fair.
“You could have been dating for years, and it not work out.”
“That’s cheery,” I huff. Mum gives me her famous glare, and I shut up.
“You could also date for a few months, and decide you are each other’s end game. No one has the answer. The onlyway to find out is to give it a go. My darling, you’re not the biggest risk-taker in life. Maybe this time just go for it. If you end up with your heart broken, think of all the painful art you’ll produce.”
I can’t help but laugh. “Silver linings, huh?”
“Exactly. E, you’ve pined over Sloane for a long time. Jump in, love. Have some fun.”
We are rudely interrupted from our mother-daughter bonding session by Jenna. She stomps in ranting about her makeup. Her face is all red, and she’s seconds away from exploding.
Sighing, I stand up. “Jenna, give it a rest.”
