everett
"mom, just—"
"just what, everett?" she growls. "you're going to ruin your life, your future, for some boy? for some boy that you're going to break up with in a few months? you have to be realistic—"
"we aren't—"
she shakes her head, cheeks reddened in fury and disbelief. "this isn't a fairytale, everett! i don't understand why you have to talk about this! is this about last year? am i not giving you enough attention like i did then?"
it's as if she punched him right in the stomach, because he's breathless, and he almost wishes that she did, because that would be way less painful than what she just said. a wave of regret seems to wash over her, but he grabs his car keys off the counter, opening the door. "i'll see you later."
"everett, wait—"
he slams the door shut behind him.