The Bodyguard

Chapter 2

I slip out of the garage as fast as lightning, still buzzing from the party. My heart racing from all the fun I had with Alex. It feels amazing to finally call him mine.

Deciding to sneak in through the back door, the one I rarely get caught using, I dart behind the house and quietly push it open. But as soon as I step inside, the lights flick on, revealing two furious figures.

My mom stands there, arms folded and eyes blazing, while my dad mirrors her expression.

"Where were you, Ava?!" Dad's voice booms.

"With Stephanie," I mumble, feeling the heat of their anger.

"Really?! At two in the morning?" Mom chimes in.

"Yeah," I sheepishly reply.

"Don't lie to us, Ava. Where were you?" Dad's voice is stern.

There's no point in lying; they always catch me. I sigh. "At a party," I confess.

"A party?!" Mom's voice rises.

"No, Mom, a circus," I retort sarcastically. She hates when I'm sassy.

"Don't give me attitude. This is serious," she scolds.

"Just give me my punishment, please," I plead, not in the mood to argue. My head is spinning, but I'm not drunk; my parents just frustrate me so much. Talking to them always gives me a headache.

"Fine," Dad says, murmuring something to Mom, who grins and kisses him on the cheek. Uh-oh, what did I get myself into?

"That's perfect!" she beams.

"What's perfect?" I ask, bracing myself for their punishment.

"We've caught you sneaking in and out too many times. You need supervision," Dad starts.

"So, what? Are you hiring a babysitter for me?" I joke, but they're serious.

"Nope. Even better, a bodyguard." Dad announces proudly.

No way! A bodyguard? Those large men in black suits and shades who watch your every move? They drive you everywhere, follow you everywhere, and literally breathe down your neck. Seriously, how do my parents stand having them around all the time? They even live with us. It's insane. I'm just trying to live a normal life here. I managed to get rid of the one they hired for me in third grade; having him lurking in the corner of my classroom was creepy. Though my teacher didn't seem to mind; she was always checking him out.

"What?! Mom, Dad, you can't do this! I don't need a babysitter following me around. Do you realize how annoying that is?" I protest.

"It is necessary. The world is too dangerous, especially with you being our daughter. Do you realize that?" Mom tries to reason.

"But you two need the protection, not me. I've been perfectly fine without a bodyguard!" I argue, getting more frustrated by the second.

"Ava, you're our only daughter. It would kill us if anything happened to you, especially with all the wild things you do behind our backs," Mom steps closer.

"Don't forget you have a son," I remind them.

"Keller's out on his own now. He's fine. He's got nothing to do with this," Dad dismisses.

Keller. I miss him terribly. He moved out to pursue acting and now he's in Japan working on a movie. I used to visit him all the time, but now...things are different. My parents practically let him fly out the door. But not me. Feels like they want to keep me under their wing forever.

"Ava?" Mom's voice echoes through the house.

"Mother?" I answer.

"It's either you get a bodyguard, or you're stuck in lockdown all summer," she lays down the ultimatum.

"A bodyguard's is permanent. Summer's just three months," I quip, rolling my eyes. Seriously, did she think that one through?

"Just get a bodyguard for God's sake!" Dad huffed, looking exasperated.

"No way," I say, standing my ground.

"Ava!"

"Nope!" I'm not budging an inch.

Mom's glare gives me serious chills, hinting at repercussions if I don't cave. And trust me, her punishments still haunt me to this day.

"Fine. I'll get a stupid bodyguard, but only 'cause I know you'll get one for me anyway," I respond, finally giving in and waving them off as I bolt upstairs to my room.