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.I close my hand, making a fist.“You come near me outside of school, you’l regret it.” And then he turns around and walks away.He turned his back on me, not only cutting off my response, but tel ing me loud and clear he isn’t afraid of me.He should be, though, and that’s what bothers me most.I outweigh the guy by at least a good twenty pounds.I have a few inches on him.I’ve been in my share of fights.I look at Hope and imagine losing her a year from now and the pain in my chest has me looking back to Park’s retreating form.He’s a man with nothing left to lose.He’s in love with her and she broke his heart.For me.And I don’t know how to feel.I’m not about to give her up, but I actual y think I might feel a little bad for the guy.I sure as hel don’t want that to be me.Ever.*******Tonight is my first date with Hope.I’m excited as hel to take her out as my girlfriend.I original y didn’t plan anything other than picking her up at six, but Mom was so horrified by this that I spent al last night detailing our date.As soon as I got home from school today, I started cooking.Everything I made has a fruit or vegetable in it.I packed it al up, picnic style and loaded it in the trunk.Hope is either going to love or hate it.I’m not even going to lie, I’m nervous as shit.As lame as it sounds, I tried on four different outfits before settling on a white button up with dark jeanstithg to love.I rol the sleeves to my elbows and attempt to do something with my hair for once.I want her to know she means enough for me to make an effort.Mom switched her shift so I didn’t have to worry about Kel in and I have ful use of the car.I think she’s more eager about this date than I am.Wel , maybe not more, but definitely as much as me.And I know she’s dying to meet Hope, but that wil have to wait.Maybe this weekend I’l invite Hope over for lunch.Mom wil appreciate that.Is it too soon for them to meet? Shit.I don’t have a clue.I’ve never made it this far into a relationship before.Ten minutes on my hair and it stil fal s into my eyes.I give up and go out to the living room for Mom to gush.“I’m heading out,” I announce and lean over the couch to kiss her cheek.“Hope has a midnight curfew, so I’l be home a little after.”“Al right.Have fun.And be careful.And responsible.” Mom smacks a kiss on my forehead and combs her fingers through my hair.“I wil.I promise.” I hold up three fingers, scout’s honor and she rol s her eyes.“You were never in Boy Scouts,” she says.“They probably would’ve kicked you out.” She laughs at her joke and clears her throat.“Do you have your phone?”“Yes.”“Is it charged?”“Yes, Mom.And the charger’s in the car just in case.” I open the door and almost make it outside.“Mace?”I sigh and turn around.“Yeah?” God, please don’t let her ask me if I have condoms.It’s not like she doesn’t know I have an active sex life, but I stil don’t want to talk about it with her.Especial y when it comes to Hope.“You look handsome,” Mom says with a proud smile.I grin and step back into the room to give her one more kiss.“Thanks.Love you.” i q="jsp;&nbsspan> “Love you too.Be safe.And you know what I mean,” she cal s as I shut the door behind me.I was so close.She just had to get that in there.Tonight is not about sex.Not that I don’t want to make love to Hope again, because it’s al I think about, but tonight is about spending time with her away from school and her house.However, I pul my wal et out at the car and verify that I do have protection, just in case.I shake my head.I am not getting with Hope in the back of my mom’s car.Though that image is now in my head.I rub my face and take a deep breath.And then another.I start to put the key in the ignition and notice my hands are shaking.At this point I’m not sure if it’s my nerves or anticipation.Maybe a little of both.Or a lot of both.I get the next six hours with Hope.Alone.T30Hope“He’s early,” I exclaim.Annie pushes me back down on the computer chair and continues to curl my hair.She’s been working on it for the past forty minutes and I have to admit it looks pretty good.I decided I’ve spent too much time hiding.I want to look nice for Mason.For our first date.“Oh, my God.Look at you smiling,” Annie says.She grins as she runs her fingers through my hair, loosening the curls.“Mason Patel is your bitch Kryptonite.”I don’t even respond.Because she’s right.Mason makes me happy.Annie folds a tissue in front of my face expectantly.“Blot.”Guy peeks his head in the door as I press my lips around the tissue.His eyebrows jump up and he smirks.“Your date is here.”“I know.He’s early.Go entertain him for me.I just have to change and I’l be down.” Guy nods.“You look nice,” he says, his hand circling around his face.“Different, but good.”“Thanks.”“Nice? She looks amazing,” Annie says insulted.She hands me the sundress that’s hung in my closet, untouched, since Jenny bought it for me last year.I never even thought about wearing it fold="jsping,ntil today.First of al , it’s white and I’m not real y the white dress type, but it’s also shorter than any dress I’ve ever been wil ing to wear.Plus, it’s a dress and I just don’t do dresses unless it’s a special occasion.I decided tonight is special.Annie shoos Guy and closes the door.I go to our bathroom to change, not wanting her to see my scars.I real y don’t want to go there tonight.As soon as I open the door, she squeals and shoves her hot pink flats at me.“Wear these.You look so pretty.Mason’s not going to recognize you.”I take a look at myself in the ful length mirror.My stomach flutters.The pink shoes match the pink in my hair almost perfectly.I thought the white would wash me out since I’m already so pale, but with my dark hair, it actual y contrasts nicely.The dark eyeliner makes my eyes look bluer and the thin straps show off my shoulders and col ar bones.Areas I know Mason likes for some reason.I tug the bottom of the dress afraid when I walk my scars wil be visible.I sigh.He already knows about them.He’s touched them.Kissed them.I feel the heat move up my neck and over my face with the memory.I take a deep breath and turn away from the mirror.“Get down there,” Annie urges.“I can’t wait for him to see you.”She heads down before me, nearly running so she doesn’t miss Mason’s reaction, which is exactly the one she was hoping for.He stops, midsentence, as I round the corner.Eyes go wide as they slowly study me, head to toe and back up again.My heart beats quickly, waiting for him to say something.Standing from the couch, Mason clears his throat.He doesn’t look away from me as he says, “I’l see you later, Guy.” Guy chuckles.“Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.” He frowns as I laugh.“No, seriously, there isn’t much I wouldn’t do.Shit.Don’t do anything I would do, either.” He takes two steps after us, running his hands through his hair.“You aren’t going to a movie, are you?” I bite my lip and glance up at Mason.He’s stil staring at me.He takes my hand and shakes his head.“Nah.No movie.”“Okay.Good,” Guy sighs.“She has to be home by twelve.”Mason pauses, final y looking at him.“I know.I’l have her home on time.” He smiles at Guy’s disheveled appearance.“I’l t@ I ~It>“Bye, Dad,” I tease as I kiss Guy’s cheek.“Ha.Ha.Ha.You’re so funny, Hope.” Guy crosses his arms, but kisses the top of my head.“Have fun,” he says
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