The sharp click of high heels cut through the quiet corridor of the school building, each step growing louder. My pulse quickened. I knew that sound too well.
A moment later, the office door opened and she stepped inside. Elena Voss—my mother—looked every bit the formidable professional. Her tailored black suit and pencil skirt hugged her figure with precision. She had a delicate, fair oval face framed by long black hair pinned neatly at the back. Her phoenix-shaped eyes held a sharp, intelligent glint, accented by graceful brows. A straight nose and softly tinted lips completed the picture. She carried a Prada handbag and wore a crisp white shirt beneath a blazer with a subtle V-neck. Her posture radiated confidence, her long legs accentuated by sheer stockings and black stilettos.
Without a word, she marched straight toward me. The homeroom teacher jumped up, trying to intervene. “Mrs. Voss, please calm down—”
Mom leaned past the teacher and swung her bag at my head. I blocked it with my arm, but the message landed anyway. She was furious.
An hour later, I sat in the passenger seat of her car as she gripped the steering wheel, fingers tapping restlessly. The silence pressed down on me. I tried to lighten the mood.
“Your car smells nice,” I said. “Freshly washed. Kind of like your perfume.”
She gave me a sideways glance, expression unreadable. I smiled weakly. “Mom, I’m sorry. I really am.”
“No, no,” she replied flatly. “I’m the one who’s sorry. I shouldn’t have had you in the first place.”
I grinned. “Then you might’ve had another kid instead, and I’d probably still be causing trouble—just in a different package.”
She frowned. “What are you even saying? Tell me what you and Lily were actually doing in that storage room.”
“Nothing much. We were just… hiding. Playing around.”
“Ethan Reed, you’re a senior in high school. Hide and seek? Really?”
“Believe what you want,” I muttered.
She exhaled sharply. “I know you better than that. And don’t try to change the subject with that retro nonsense about me going out dancing.”
I leaned back. “You’re a department manager, but sometimes you talk like you’re still in your twenties.”
“I am still young,” she shot back. “Young enough to give you a smack if you keep this up.” She sighed, rubbing her forehead. “Why did I raise someone like you? You’re going to be the death of me.”
I rested my head against her arm playfully. “Only a mother’s love can put up with a kid like me.”
She pushed me upright, fighting a smile. “You’re never serious for a single minute. What am I going to do with you?”
I kept going, trying to charm my way out. “Look at the dating scene these days. Guys my age are struggling. If I start early, you could be a grandmother before you know it. Imagine that—enjoying family life in your forties. Your friends would be jealous.”
She covered her face. “The more you talk, the worse it gets. Keep it up and I’ll be doing group exercises in the park with the retirees.”
I waved my arms dramatically. “We could make it a family thing. Dad could carry the music, crank it loud—”
She squinted at me. “It’s time I taught you some boundaries.”
The car turned onto an unfamiliar route. “This isn’t the way home,” I said.
“I’m picking up your sister. Her school let out early.”
“She’s old enough to get home on her own.”
Mom glared. “You called me to school today and you’re criticizing her?”
“I’m the oldest. Future of the family and all that. She’s the free spirit.”
“Keep talking like that and you can walk the rest of the way.”
I shut up.
After a stretch of quiet, I asked, “Why aren’t you laying into me like usual?”
She raised an eyebrow. “You want me to yell more?”
“No, just… surprised. Normally it’s ‘Ethan, are you asking for it?’ or ‘Turn around right now.’”
“I’m tired, Ethan. Work is nonstop, and then I get calls about you. Do you think I have extra energy for this?”
“Maybe I can help take your mind off things.”
“By staying quiet. That would be the biggest help.”
“See? You get tense the second I open my mouth. Anyone would think you’re stressed out.”
She honked the horn impatiently at the car ahead. “Tell me the truth. Did something happen with Lily?”
I hesitated. “We’re not kids anymore. We’re careful.”
She stared at me, stunned, then smacked the back of my head. “Senior year. College entrance exams right around the corner, and this is what you’re focused on? Study harder. Get into the top ranks.”
“I’m already in the top ten of my class.”
“Then aim higher.” She paused. “I never said I was against you dating. But this early? And going that far?”
“You didn’t specify the rules clearly. Now it’s done. What do you want me to do?”
“So it’s my fault?”
I chuckled. “I’m just saying.”
“You little—” She raised her hand again, but I ducked.
Every time words failed her, she defaulted to a light smack. “This is straight-up parental authority,” I complained, rubbing my head.
“I’m your mother. I get to set the rules. And this month’s allowance? Consider it gone.”
“Understood,” I said quickly, changing tactics. “You look great today, by the way. Nice makeup. Meeting clients or… someone special?”
“Clients,” she said dryly. “And don’t even start with that nonsense about parents having side things. Stay on topic. What exactly happened with Lily?”
We were nearly at my sister’s school. “Let’s save that talk for later. Not appropriate with kids around.”
“You’re worried about influence now? After everything?” She parked, leaned against the window, and sighed deeply, hand on her forehead.
My sister soon appeared, waving to friends before climbing into the back seat. She had inherited Mom’s striking features: fair skin, expressive eyes, and a lively ponytail. At fifteen, she was already tall and graceful, with the early curves of adolescence.
I caught her eye in the rearview mirror. “Look who decided to join us.”
Mom warned, “No nicknames. Both of you.”
My sister grinned. “I heard you got Mom called in again. What did you do this time?”
“Quiet,” Mom said, glancing between us. “One more word out of either of you and no dinner.”
“I’m watching my figure anyway,” my sister replied.
“You lose any more weight and you’ll disappear,” I teased.
“Better than seeing your face every day.”
Mom honked sharply. “Enough! You two fight like cats and dogs the second you’re together.”
My sister leaned forward and whispered, “Mom, he started it.”
I jumped in. “She’s the one who—”
Mom slumped in her seat, eyes closed, fist clenched. “Why did I have two of you?”
My sister kissed Mom’s cheek sweetly. “I love you, Mom.”
I leaned over and kissed the other cheek. “Love you too.”
“Copycat,” my sister muttered.
Mom gently pushed us back. “I love you both. Now please, just give me five minutes of peace.”
Since my sister had been away, Mom treated us to a big dinner out. By the time we got home, Dad was glued to his online games and hadn’t even noticed dinner time passing. Mom confiscated my phone and laptop, boxing up my comics to help me focus on studying until exams were over.
I dropped to my knees dramatically, hugging her legs. It didn’t work. That night, I actually cracked open my books.
The next day was Saturday. I slept late and found only my sister and Dad at breakfast.
“Where’s Mom?” I asked, grabbing a fried dough stick.
Dad was scrolling on his phone and didn’t respond. My sister didn’t look up. “She got an early call and left.”
“I wanted a ride,” I mumbled through a mouthful.
“Brush your teeth first, gross,” my sister said.
“Brush after. I already ate the germs.”
She scooted her bowl away. Dad’s phone rang. He checked it, then slipped into the bedroom.
My sister watched the door close. “Dad’s been weird lately. Like, extra secretive.”
“He’s always been like that. Probably just work stuff.”
“I’m serious,” she insisted.
I shrugged, then smiled. “Hey, lend me your phone real quick.”
“No.”
“Come on, Mia. Just one call. I’ll give it right back.” I reached for it. She snatched it away, backing toward the sofa.
I chased after her. She fell onto the cushions, clutching the phone. In the scuffle, my hands brushed her side as I tried to grab it. Our thin pajamas offered little barrier; the warmth of her body and faint fresh scent filled the space between us.
Dad stepped out and froze. “What is going on here?”
“He’s being a creep!” my sister yelled.
“I was just borrowing the phone!”
Dad frowned. “You’re old enough to know better. There are boundaries.”
I helped her up. She straightened her clothes, pouting. “You don’t act like a big brother at all.” Reluctantly, she handed me the phone.
I called Lily and asked her to come over to “study.” In truth, I needed to pick up where we’d left off the day before. Being interrupted had left me restless