“Dressing like a whore is on your checklist?”
Those green eyes steel over. “Fuck you, Ford.”
I take in how her hair is different. She has lovely curls but today it’s been ironed smooth or something. Her eyes are caked in makeup.
“I don’t like it,” I choke out.
“Yeah, well, you’ve made it clear you don’t like me.”
Frowning, I manage to mumble, “Huh? What are you talking about?”
“I thought I’ve made it real clear that I like you, and sometimes I think you like me too, but then you never say anything, you never try to kiss me…”
I slam my mouth onto hers and pour all of the months I’ve been dreaming of this moment, and kiss her. I push against her and ignore the other students. Everything disappears apart from the regret of not doing this sooner.
A throat clears and we pull apart, but I don’t let her go far.
“There’s a time and place for such affection, at school is not one of them,” Mrs. Jeffries tells us before moving on.
Turning my attention back to Phoebe, I tell her, “We’re doing this now, so no more dressing in those skirts.”
She wanted my attention, now she has it and thank fuck cause it’s about fucking time.
I spent eleven years being her neighbour. I spent two summers hiding that I loved her. But one lunch and the tiniest skirt in history changed everything. No one else mattered. I didn’t care that we were finishing high school, or that everyone was telling us we’d most likely grow apart as we went on new adventures into adulthood. We were going to survive because we loved one another, and we were strong. I wanted nothing more than to grow old with her, I wanted to spend every milestone with her. I would’ve spent my whole life dedicated to her.
“Ford, son, I know you love her. I won’t patronize you on that front. But you have to see that she’s never going to go off to college unless you tell her to.”
“I have told her,” I tell Mr. McAdams.
I’ve always gotten on well with Phoebe’s dad. He’s the one who taught me how to shave correctly, how to wear a tie, and he was the one who took me out and taught me to drive.At times he’s been the father mine never was. I have so much respect for him I get what he’s trying to say before he lets the words slip off his tongue.
“We both know what it’s going to take, son. She’s not only bright and can go on to do so much in her life, she needs the life experience what college can offer.”
My first thought questions if he wants her to meet other guys. Does he not think I’m not good enough for his daughter anymore? I grow hot at the thought of anyone but me kissing and touching Phoebe, it makes me want to kill.
“I’ll make her see sense and get her to college.”
“Son, we both know that even if she agrees to go, she’ll be there physically but mentally she’ll be right here with you.”
“You want me to break up with her?” I manage to choke out.
“I won’t beat around the bush. I want exactly that. I want you to set her free.”
I don’t hesitate to tell him, “I can’t do that.”
Just the thought has me burning with rage.
“Ford, let me ask you this. What are your plans after graduation?”
College isn’t for me. I haven’t even bothered applying to any.
“I’m going to get a job.”
“And while you’re working a job, one that probably isn’t going to pay much without a college degree, what do you expect Phoebe to be doing?”
I shrug. “I don’t know yet. We haven’t spoken about it.”
“Life is going to change now you’re both eighteen. In one way school prepares you for the workplace when you come of age, but in other ways, no one is prepared for the transition from childhood to adulthood. I hope you trust me enough to believe what I’m saying. Phoebe has a chance to better herself, and as her father, I don’t want anything standing in her way. Ifyou love her like I think you do, like you profess, you wouldn’t want that either.”
