There was a thick layer of silence that seemed to settle over everyone in the hallway. Even I was quiet as Callie stood before us with the brown paper bag in her hand with a sheepish expression coating over her face. She kept switching from foot to foot while self-consciously biting her bottom lip—an anxious habit she’d do whenever she felt nervous.

Callie sighed. “I had unprotected sex and V was just helping me out.” She explained softly while keeping her eyes glued to the ground.

My eyes cut to my mother whose features had immensely softened. “Sweetie, why would you make such a reckless decision?”

Callie looked up through her lashes with a guilty expression. She shrugged while remaining quiet. My mother then glanced at me as I too shrugged in return.

“So, you and my Antonio didn’t have sex?” Gabby asked for clarification.

I shook my head no while Tony said “No.”

Gabby sighed in relief and I wasn’t sure if I should take that in some form of offense or if I should feel relieved too.

Tony let out a small laugh before looking at me. “There’s never a dull moment at your house.” He commented, making my mother and I laugh as well.

“Apparently.” I agreed. “Are we all on the same page?” I asked.

Tony smirked. “It’s good to know that we didn’t have sex.” He muttered reluctantly. I cocked an eyebrow at him which then made him blush deeply. “What I meant to say was that I want to have s—no, I mean, it’s just that at least—I should just shut up.” He quickly said while stumbling through an incoherent explanation as both Gabby and my mother narrowed their eyes at Tony.

I was torn between wanting to laugh at his expense or feeling embarrassed as well, but I did let out a nervous chuckle.

“Callie, Verity can I have a few words with you two?” My mother asked before turning to Gabby and Tony. “Sorry for the mix up and we should be out shortly.”

Gabby smiled appreciatively before her and Tony walked down the hall and back to where everyone else had congregated. Finally, my mother turned to me and Callie. Her features were hard to read, making it impossible to tell whether or not she was angry or not.

“You gave me quite a scare.” She said to no one in particular.

“Why’s that?” I asked after a few moments of stillness elapsed over us.

“Because I personally don’t think either of you are ready for something as serious as sexual intercourse.” She answered bluntly.

“Clearly.” Callie muttered with infamy.

My mother’s features softened even more. “Callie, you know I look at you as a daughter and I will treat you rightly so.” She began. “I’m very disappointed that you’d have unprotected sex. If the morning after pill weren’t at your dispense would you be ready to be a mother? And if not, would you be able to go through an abortion?”

I flinched at my mother’s questions. They both sounded extreme and harsh to even think of at our age.

“No, I wouldn’t.” Callie mumbled out.

“It’s quite a huge concept to consider when participating in sexual intercourse.” My mother commented. “Are you on the pill?” She asked.

Callie shook her head no in a hesitant fashion.

My mother pursed her lips. “Is your mother aware of your new sex life?”

Once again Callie shook her head no.

“Well then that only means one thing, firstly I have to speak to your mother about getting you on birth control.” She remarked.

Callie’s eyes went wide with fear. “Mrs. Abraham, please, I don’t want my mom to know. She’ll freak out and she’s not as understanding as you.” Callie pleaded.

After a few moments of deliberation, my mother sighed. “I’ll tell her that it’s so you can regulate your period. With that being said, I’ll handle scheduling the appointment. Hopefully, we can get you scheduled this coming week.”

Callie breathed in relief before pulling my mother in for a hug. “Thank you so much.”
Stepping back, my mother then looked at me. “As for you, should I schedule you an appointment as well?”

I felt my cheeks heat up. “I don’t think so. Sex isn’t really on my agenda.”

My mother pursed her lips again. “I won’t take chances. I’d rather you be prepared than not.” She stated.

I nodded because, to be honest, sex hasn’t really been on my mind lately.

“Okay now that that’s settled, who’s ready for some barbeque?” My mother asked in a more cheerier tone.

Callie and I smiled in relief as we followed her out into the living area, in which everyone was still gathered.

---

“What are your plans for this Christmas break?” Tony asked.

We were currently walking alongside South Pier with our hand intertwined. It was Sunday; Tony had just finished helping around his house as well as attending church and I had finished my volunteer shift at the animal shelter. We decided to snatch these remaining few hours of our weekend together, considering we hadn’t seen each other since the barbeque at my house. I couldn’t help but think of that day.

Friday’s barbeque went surprisingly great. After the whole morning-after-pill debacle, things ran smoothly. Cassandra brought down her Wedding Planning book, which allowed Ronnie and myself look at some of the decisions she was iffy on making. Cassandra had the venue booked as well as the catering company. Right now she was caught up in what kind of material the bridesmaid dresses would be made out of. Cassandra said she knows the perfect seamstress in San Francisco that could customize her bridesmaid gowns. Jason sat by with a bored expression as Cassandra pulled out a bunch of pictures that featured different breeds of flowers. I was just as clueless as Jason in the process, but thankfully Ronnie, Gabby, and my mother was there to give their opinions. Even Rosie offered her flower-expertise in the matter.

Once the food had been served, everyone praised Ronnie’s kous kous, which in return made Ronnie smile appreciatively. Even I had more than one serving of her dish. The conversation soon shifted from the wedding to what kind of college’s Tony had applied to, since everyone was aware of where I would be attending this coming fall. Gabby happily spilled the news about her ‘baby boy making it into college’. The look of satisfaction and admiration lit up her face while Tony bowed his head humbly. Gabby hopes that her son will choose SDSU, but Tony would cut in every so often that he has his heart set on Albany.

Smiling with a sense of content, I leaned my head against Tony as we stopped at the edge of the pier. The sea would lap against the wooden posts of the pier while the sky seemed to glow golden and orange.

“I’ll be heading over to Santorini to visit my father’s side of the family.” I answered while admiring the view.

“You’re going all the way to Greece?” He asked.

“Just for a few weeks, but I’ll probably be back here before New Year’s.”

“Another trip with you away from me, I don’t like it.” He mumbled out while pulling my body closer to his frame. His lips kissed the top of my hair, creating an unruly set of butterflies to explode within me.

I laughed. “Just don’t do anything stupid in my absence.”

Tony got quiet. “I don’t ever want to lose you.”

His words were heavy with affection that I ended up blushing. “Then take my advice, and don’t do anything stupid.” I answered.

I felt Tony’s lips smiled against my hair. “I will.”

Notes

Two updates in one day? Holy crap Governor!

Anyway, let me know what you think. And just a heads up these next few chapters might be really cute. Let me know what you think.

Thanks for reading guys! I truly appreciate it :)

Enjoy <3