Page 3 of Boots & Scars

“I am,” I replied sincerely. “College has been tough at times, but it’s also been incredibly rewarding.”

"And how is Holly?" Mom asked.

I chuckled, the sound echoing softly in the room. "Well, I'm sure it's hard with her dad as dean of our school. But luckily, we're dormed right next to each other."

"I made sure John arranged that," she said, a hint of satisfaction in her tone.

"Yes, I know," I replied, smiling at her. "She still wants to be a psychologist and help people. We're actually in Psych together, which makes things convenient because when I get back to campus today, we're going to study some more."

Mom's eyes narrowed slightly. "Is she… is she dating anyone?"

"No," I shook my head. "She's focused on school."

"Good," she said, setting down her silverware with a firm clink. "After that debacle in high school?—"

"Mom," I interrupted, my voice sharper than intended. "You don't have to bring that up."

"I think it's important to remind you what's out there," she insisted, her gaze unwavering. "Everly, there are monsters in this world. Real monsters. You can't just go around… trusting everyone. The world… it's not a kind place."

I looked down at my hands again, the weight of her words pressing on me like a physical force. She meant well; I knew that. But sometimes it felt like she saw danger in every shadow.

"I understand," I said quietly, meeting her eyes again. "But what happened to Holly… That doesn't mean it's going to happen to me."

"Anything can happen to you," Mom pointed out.

"Yes, but it's true the other way too," I said. "You know that, right? Bad things can happen, sure, but so can good things. Why would I want to focus on the bad when I could focus on the good?"

Mom's expression softened slightly, but the concern never left her eyes. "Just promise me you'll be careful."

"I promise," I replied.

She nodded, seeming to accept my answer for now. The conversation shifted to lighter topics as we finished our dessert, but her words lingered in the back of my mind like an echo.

As much as I appreciated her protective nature, I couldn't help but feel a growing desire to prove that I could navigate the world on my own terms.

After all, wasn't that what growing up was all about?

"I take it you're focused on school?" Mom asked tentatively before taking another bite of pie.

"If this is your way of asking if I'm dating, the answer is no," I said, feeling a little defensive.

Not yet, I amended in my head. I’d watched so many shows and read countless books about love. I wanted that butterfly feeling, the fairytale, the happily ever after. I wanted my first kiss, my first…everything with the right person—a Prince Charming.

I wanted to have sex. I wanted to know what that was like, if it really felt as good as in the books or in the movies. A physical manifestation of that pure love.

My heart fluttered just thinking about it.

Mom chewed thoughtfully, her eyes never leaving my face. "You know, it's not just about avoiding distractions," she began carefully. "It's also about being safe."

"I know," I replied, my voice softening. "And I'm careful."

She reached out and brushed a stray lock of hair behind my ear. "I just worry about you, Everly."

"Trust me, I know," I said, forcing a smile. "But I'm eighteen now. I need to figure some things out for myself."

She nodded slowly but didn't look entirely convinced. We sat in silence for a moment, the only sound being the clock ticking away on the wall.

I didn't tell her how much I longed for love because I knew she wouldn’t approve. She saw danger everywhere and would never understand my yearning for romance and adventure. But still... I wanted to be loved and to love more than anything.

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