Remember

Chapter 11

We got home around 8 which was two hours before my initial curfew. I could hear my parents and Casey yelling about something, but I walked in anyways to the mayhem. 

"Hi Emma and Ares did you guys have fun?" Asked my mom

I held a box of shoes and Ares held a bag of clothes while the other bags of clothes were magically put away. 

"Yeah it was fun. Oh Ares got you something." 

I grabbed the scratcher out of my bag. 

"My dad sends them to me all the time. Not sure why." 

"Oh that is neat." Said my mom, "Honey look a scratcher." 

"Waste of money." Jake growled 

"Seriously you let her go off with him?" Cried Casey, "I can't go to Jenna's house, but Emma can go off with her boyfriend." 

"They are just friends Casey, and you are grounded remember." 

"So we had a few drinks. I mean come on. Emma is probably having s*x right now and yet I am the one getting in trouble. This is bullshit" She crossed her arms over her chest and glared at me.

"You watch your mouth young lady." Warned Jake 

"Whatever." As she turned around and stomped to her room 

My mom sat down at the kitchen table. 

"So what did you buy?" She asked me. 

"Um some shoes and t-shirts. Nothing too crazy." 

I hated lying to her, but it would be breaking the oath if I went and told her the truth. 

"Oh nice. Did you eat dinner already?" 

"Yeah Ares and I just ate at the food court." 

Again I thought if I told them it was a bar and grill they'd really question our "friendship" so I was trying to keep it innocent. 

My mom brought out a penny and began to start scratching off the ticket. 

"Oh my god I won a 100 bucks!" 

"Really?!" Asked my dad, "Let me see that." He went over and grabbed the card. 

"Keep scratching maybe you'll get extra lucky." 

So she did 

"Oh wow. I won another 100." 

I turned to Ares and he gave me a wink as I gave him a smirk of annoyance. 

"Two hundred bucks. Pretty lucky honey. Tell your dad Ares that he gave us a real winner." 

"I will." Ares turned to me, "I hope you had a good time." 

I smiled, "I had a great time. Thank you for everything." 

"Ares, thank you for taking her." 

"Anytime ma'am. I'll see you tomorrow?" He asked me 

I nodded. 

"Good night." 

"Night." 

He left and I turned to my parents who were staring at me. 

"Just friends?" Asked Jake his arms crossed 

"What?" 

"The boy has it bad Emma. You can't just tell me you two are just friends." 

I shrugged, "Well we are."

"Has he tried to kiss you?" Asked my mom 

"No..." I said with disappointment 

"Do you want him to?" She asked me 

I couldn't help but blush as I looked down. 

"I do, but..." I looked up at them 

"You guys worry so much about Casey. I don't want you guys to worry about me too." 

"We are your parents Emma. It's our job to worry." Said Jake 

"But I want you guys to trust me enough to know that I wouldn't do anything to disrespect you or myself." 

Jake and my mom looked at each other. 

"Well he did bring you home two hours early." Said my mom looking up at Jake. 

Jake sighed, "I think I still like the idea of you playing with Barbies instead of hanging out with a boy." 

"He's different Jake." 

"Clearly." 

"I don't expect you guys to change your minds on the dating rule. Honestly I think it is fine. I think what Ares have is great. I don't need to show affection just yet to know that I love him." 

My parents turned ghost white. 

"Did you just say love?" Asked Jake 

I stood there silent.

"Honey..." My mom's voice cracked. 

"I was young and I thought I was in love too, but I was so young and naive. I got caught up in something I just wasn't ready for and I had you and I missed out on a lot of things. I don't want that to happen to you." 

"I'm not pregnant mom I don't even have my period yet." 

"I know Emma, but please just try and understand. I know you aren't stupid like I was, but I don't want you to get hooked on the first guy who gives you attention. I want you to have a future. Go to college, travel, be in love multiple times before you truly settle and if Ares happens to be the one then so be it, but I still want you to live your life. You are almost 16 and you have so much potential Emma don't waste it please don't waste it." 

I saw tears form in my mom's eyes and I couldn't help but go over and console her. 

"It's ok mom. I understand. I will go to college and I will be successful. I love Ares mom I can't explain it. I wish I could but I just can't. Why is it impossible to have both?" 

"Oh baby. It's not...it's just." She looked up at Jake 

"Sometimes Emma...first love is the hardest."