The Bad Boy's Choice

Chapter 1

I zip up the back of my dress and exhale. It’s a little tight but it’ll have to do given the exorbitant amount I paid for the little black number. Does it matter if I can’t breathe? Of course not so suck it up Tessa, literally. Next I slip into my high heeled pumps, a brand new pair of Louboutins given to me by my parents today and shakily make my way to the full length mirror in the room. The shoes make my legs look long and toned while the dress hugs my curves at all the right places. For the most part I don’t look like I’ve got the body of a twelve year boy and there’s some serious cleavage action going on. I tug the top of the dress up a little because impressive as I look right now I don’t want to give the rest of the senior class a view.

I spend some time doing my makeup and curling my hair. When I’ve crossed off everything on my mental get ready list, I pick up my phone and text my boyfriend Jay.

Me: I’m ready for my surprise

Jay: Babe it’s not a surprise if you keep acting like you know about it

Me: But I do know about it and you get brownie points for telling me

Jay: Just don’t let Nicole find out

Me: Scared of my best friend Jason?

Jay: Only my brother can handle her, that’s all I’m saying

Me: Your bravery stuns me. Now come over and drive me to my surprise birthday party.

I teeter precariously down the stairs and to the living room where my parents are talking in hushed voices. They turn around when they hear the sounds of my heels clicking on the marble floor and straighten their expressions.

“Honey you look lovely!” My mom, Sarah gushes and I breathe easier after her approval. She used to be my toughest critic, back when I was fifty pounds heavier. Now in this dress which is certainly cutting off my circulation, I’m glad she’s finally pleased.

“Special plans with Jay?” Dad asks looping his arm through mine.

I stifle an eye-roll, my parents will not be getting an Oscar anytime soon. “Dinner, I think and we might go see the new Chris Hemsworth movie.”

“Ah those Hemsworth brothers, they’re something special aren’t they.” Mom swoons and I can honestly feel the apple I ate for breakfast making it’s way back up my throat.

“Mother hush, you’re not supposed to talk to me like that.”

She pouts as though trying to look younger but it only makes the wrinkles on her face more prominent. “I’m old Tess not dead, aren’t I allowed to have opinion on hot men.”

“Not if you gave birth to me.”

She clicks her tongue and walks away, presumably to pour herself a drink.

Dad chuckles at her retreating figure “Well regardless of you calling your mother an old hag, we hope you have a great night. It’s not everyday our baby girl turns eighteen.”

A few minutes later, they walk past me arm in arm and get their coats from the coat closet, pretending so hard that I won’t be seeing them pretty soon. And just when I think they’ve spared me the ultimate humiliation, I hear my mom’s voice ringing from across our front porch.

“I’ve got us both booked for Brazillian waxes tomorrow by Gerta, don’t forget dear!”

“Okay mom!” I yell and cover my face with my hands. I hear my parents chuckling and finally, finally driving away.

I look at my watch, Jay’s house is a ten minute walk from mine but I’m not willing to cover even that distance in the kind of shoes I’m wearing. He’s picking me up after he’s done volunteering at the Farrow Hills public library which gives me some time to get myself together.