Sharon was stretched out on her bed, staring at the ceiling. She had just made a date with Brandon Hall, one of the most popular boys in her new school. She had also been the cause of the break-up of him and his girlfriend, an equally popular student. "How did this happen?" she wondered aloud. There was no way she could go through with the date; she could not ruin someone else's life. But... that kiss. She blushed just at the memory.
Sharon knew already about Brandon's reputation with girls, but something in the way he had kissed her made her feel like she could trust him.
She frowned; her father had always told her that you could trust no one but your family, and your spouse. To even consider trusting a teenage boy was ridiculous! Her father, Reginald Brooks, had once said, "Boys are like bees. Once they have sucked away all of your honey, they'll just move on to the next flower."
Sharon rolled over onto her side. She knew her father was overprotective (she had once said so herself!), but he was just looking out for her safety. She had had to have him in the room just so she and Brandon could work on their assignments! Yet, he had always protected her, and until he did something that was not in her best interest, she would always trust him.
Sharon climbed off of her neatly made bed, and crossed to her closet. Her date with Brandon was two days away, and she needed to start considering what she would wear. He had told her that dressy-casual would do, so she grabbed the first dress she saw, and went to her mirror to examine it.
No, too frilly.
Too pink.
Too shiny.
Too old-fashioned.
Perfect! She looked into the mirror, at the dress that was currently layered over her clothes, her head between the dress itself and the hanger. It was a spaghetti-strap number, with a black bodice, while the rest was soft silver. She smiled at her reflection, taking a moment to absorb the circumstances.
She had broken up a popular couple, she had been kissed by Brandon Hall, and now she had a date with him. All that was left was to clear the idea with her dad, and that was what was worrying her.
Her father was not averse to dating; on the contrary, he thought that the right socializing was important in a young lady's life. But he was still her father, and she was his only daughter. This would not be easy.
She put the discarded dresses back into her closet, steeled her courage, and headed downstairs, where her father was relaxing in his favorite armchair, reading the paper, and humming.
Good, she thought, he's in a good mood. She took a breath, and went to his side. "Dad?" she asked.
"Yes, dear?" he murmured distractedly.
"I was wondering if maybe... I could go out Friday night?"
"Hmmm? With who?"
"Brandon Hall."
"What?!" he exploded, his head snapping up from the paper.
"Daddy, please! It's just a date!"
"That's how it always starts," he said, beginning one of his infamous rants. "You're out on a nice date, enjoying yourself, laughing, smiling... when suddenly you're pregnant with no job, and no way to make end's meet! You're at home, feeding the baby, while your husband is working the night shift at the local Super Slushy Shop!"
"Dad, dad, DAD!" Sharon exclaimed, putting her hands on her father's arms. After he calmed down enough to pay attention, she said, "Dad, I know you're worried about me. But you don't have to be. You've raised me well. You should be able to trust that you instilled me with the right values, and that I can make good decisions." She stared at him, knowing that she was right; her logical thinking almost always persuaded people to side with her.
He looked at her for a moment, before sighing, and saying, "Fine. You can go on the date. But on one condition: I get to formally meet the boy before you leave."
"Yes, daddy."
"Alright then. Now... go do your homework."
"Yes, daddy. Thank you." She leaned down and kissed his cheek, whispering, "Don't worry. I'll make you proud."
"I know you will, sweetie. I love you."
"I love you too. Good night."
"G'night."
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