Harper
I stare at my face in the mirror as I apply eye liner. This will be my second party, and I hope to actually stay longer at this one. Nico ended up staying at practice with the others, but he texted me to say maybe tomorrow we can hang out, just the two of us.
Not sure that will be allowed, but it would be nice to catch up.
I don’t know what to think about the guys and what the Cheermonsters told me. It makes some sense that sex would keep them a little more chill. If denying them puts the whole student population at risk, who am I to hold out?
My life is so fucked right now. I can’t decide whether to give in to them or not. What is best for me, and what is best for the school?
“Harper?”
I step out into my room to see Mom at my door. “Come on in.” I wave her in as I go to the mirror in the bathroom to finish applying my makeup.
“So the party tonight is where?” Mom sits on the edge of my bed.
“It’s at Sidney Brown’s house.” I dig through my new makeup, searching for the perfect lipstick. The dark red stain. Definitely won’t smear.
“Two parties in one weekend. Are you a cool kid now?” Mom’s voice is tinged with laughter. “Did I raise a cool kid?”
“I’ve always been a cool kid. The others just figured it out,” I tease. I swipe on the stain and blot my lips.
“See, I knew you were a cool kid the whole time. That’s why I always hung out with you.” Mom’s brown eyes sparkle as I walk back into my bedroom.
“Did you want to load me up with more condoms?” Raising an eyebrow at her, I walk to my closet to pull out the dress I plan to wear tonight. I’m currently in an old button-down shirt and shorts. I’ve already straightened my hair to leave it down.
“If you’ve gone through all the ones I bought you, we definitely need to have a talk. Especially about UTIs.”
“Ew, Mom, no. I haven’t used any of them and I don’t plan to.” Because apparently my mouth will work perfectly fine for the time being. There’s no risk of pregnancy. I received copies of all the guys’ testing results as Luke promised. She definitely doesn’t need to know the guys want to fuck me without condoms.
“I don’t want you to end up with more than you can handle because of some stupid teenage mistake.” Mom picks at lint on my bedspread.
I wasn’t a teenage mistake. Mom and Dad were married when they had me, even if they were still youngish, but it didn’t work out. Dad left us, and we’ve been fine ever since. I don’t even really remember a time with him in my life.
“Don’t worry, I won’t make you a grandma. I’m being safe and cautious. Last night, I didn’t even drink anything but a can of soda.”
Mom perks up and smiles. “See, that’s my smart girl. If your designated driver drinks, you can call me to pick you up.”
“Yeah, that’s what all the cool kids do. Call their moms to pick them up.” I give her a friendly eye roll. Pretty sure the guys are already planning another sleepover. Tingles creep down my spine. “How about I text you I’m staying if it comes to that?”
Mom’s eyes narrow but she sighs. “I suppose it was inevitable everyone else would realize you’re cool. I wouldn’t want to damage your new rep.”
“Thank you.” I take my dress into the bathroom and shut the doorto change. It’s a black and red skater dress. Not as short as the skirt from the other day, but formfitting to the waist with a flirty swing skirt that reaches about mid-thigh.
When I come back out, Mom’s eyes widen. “May I interest you in a chastity belt?”
I laugh. “Not hardly.”
I sit beside her to pull on a pair of black Dr. Martens. “If anyone tries anything, I’ll just kick them in the junk with my boots and run.”
“Solid plan.” Her eyes pause on my collar. She reaches out and touches it. “You aren’t going to a BDSM party, right?”
I laugh so hard I bend over holding my stomach. When I can breathe again, I say, “No. God, no. It’s just an accessory, Mom.”
It could end up another sex party with me as the star, but I’m not about to say that. I still don’t know if I want to have intercourse with the guys yet. I’m just getting the hang of all the other stuff.
But there is a real possibility of me ending up back in Caden’s bed with all of them tonight. I’d pack an overnight bag, but that might be a push too far for Mom. And if I get myself grounded for real, Luke will dole out punishment. A shiver runs through me.
“If you get serious with one of these guys, I want to have him over, one-on-one.” Mom stands and slides her hands down her jeans. “So I can inform him I know where every major artery is and how deep to cut. I also have a pharmacy worth of deadly drugs at my disposal. Though a needle of air to a vein might be less traceable.”
