-PIPPA-
"You don’t have to go if you don’t want to, sweetheart."
My mom leaned against my doorframe, arms crossed, watching me as I got ready for my date with Aaron.
It had been a few days since the trial. I sat on my bed, slipping on my nude sandals, adjusting the straps.
"I told you already. I don’t mind. Aaron is a nice guy, and going out for a change would be good."
She didn’t look convinced.
She was furious after the event—hated the idea of me being treated like a prize. She’d called it degrading. Said it was practically pimping me out.
She’d gone after the judges, snapped at them for insisting it was harmless, accused them of being cheap for not offering a real reward. Before things escalated any further, I had to step in.
I didn’t care. I could take care of myself.
And if
