Page 38 of Valentine Dare

“My parents didn’t want me to be raised worrying about leaving my house and dodging a bullet. Nor do I want for things. They give me money, and I spend it in the diner. I don’t go crazy and buy designer shit every second, and I study. Maybe I will go to med school and be a doctor like them, maybe I won’t. But I’ll be proud that their vision for me, and what they sacrificed to bring me up in the world, was the right move.”

I bend down to hug her.

“I’m so jealous that you have parents like that.”

She pushed me away.

“You should be girl, cause they are ten times more than your parents ever was to you. And you stink girl. I hope you’re not opening your legs for them smelling like that.”

“Damn Tracey! Just give it to me gently, right?” She didn’t answer, so I jumped up and said, “Going to have a quick shower.”

“Quick one? You take your time. I’m in no hurry. Just make sure you scrub down there good.”

I ignored her and didn’t bother turning around to figure what she was talking about. I was having a fast learning curve in my life, what it was like to live outside the bubble, and I had to grow up in many ways and in such a short time. Tracey was good for me, in more ways than one. She had opened my eyes, and it was good to help me grow up. I’d been living a lie for so long; now it was time to face the truth with open arms and stop shutting it out.

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