Melody of the Heart

“Nowhere special.”

She rolled her eyes. “Bullshit.”

“Watch your mouth. Mom and Dad will ground you in a millisecond if they hear you cussing like that.”

“Don’t change the subject.”

Ignoring her, I went over to my jewelry box to dig out a pair of earrings that would go with my outfit.

“Come on, Lily. Give me the dirt. You know I won’t tell the ‘rents.”

“That’s because you’re already too much of a troublemaker,” I mused.

“And you’re too much of a goody two shoes,” she countered with a grin.

Throwing my hands up, I replied, “Fine. If you must know, I’m going to a frat party tonight to—”

She squealed with excitement as she bounded off the bed. “Oh my God, Lils, I’m soooo jealous!”

I shook my head at her. “When you turn sixteen, Mom and Dad better never let you out of the house.”

“Whatever. So you’re seeing a college guy?”

“No, it’s not like that. Remember Brayden you met the other day?”

Lily’s blonde brows furrowed. “I thought that guy was in high school.”

“He is. But he’s auditioning for a band that happens to have college-aged guys in it.”

“Hmm, he must be really good.”

I shrugged as I finished putting on my earrings. “I don’t know. Tonight will be the first time I’ve heard him play.”

Lily’s blue eyes widened. “What if he like totally became a famous rock star? You’d be a famous rock star’s girlfriend.”

With a giggle, I replied, “We’re not even dating, Kyles. I mean, I haven’t even kissed him yet.” It’s not that I hadn’t wanted him to the last few times we were together. Just when I thought he was going to lean in and lay one on me, he would abruptly turn away. I chalked it up to him being nervous, not that he didn’t want to kiss me as much as I wanted him to.

“Damn, what if he’s a shitty kisser?”

I rolled my eyes at her. “I need to wash your mouth out.”

“No, you need to start talking this way to keep up with your filthy rocker boy.”

“Brayden is not filthy.”

“He could be if the band asks him to. Besides, I heard Daddy telling Mom how he cussed like a sailor in front of him because he was nervous.”

“You don’t miss anything, do you?”

She grinned. “Nope.”

I glanced at the clock on my nightstand. “I gotta go.”

As I started for the door, Kylie hopped up to follow me. “So does Mom and Dad know you’re going to a frat party?”

My purple Sam and Libby ballet flats skidded on the hardwood floors as I came to an abrupt stop. When I turned around, Kylie smirked at me. “I’d take that as a no.”

“Why do you have to be so annoying?” I growled.

“Because I’m your little sister, that’s why,” she replied diplomatically.

“They think I’m going to the ten o’clock movie with some of my new friends from the cheerleading squad, and that Brayden and I aren’t going out until tomorrow night.”

“Good lie, especially since I assume you’re going into Atlanta…alone.”

“Are you going to say something to them?”

“Nope.”

I eyed her suspiciously. “And why not?”

“Because I’m going to file it away for the next time I need a favor…or a lie from you.”

“Why am I not surprised?” I muttered.

Kylie smacked me on the butt. “Go on. You don’t want to be late for your rockin’ Prince Charming.”

I laughed in spite of myself. “Okay, okay. I’m out of here.”

“Be safe. Don’t forget to take the phone.”

For my sixteenth birthday, my parents had gotten me of those bag cellphones. It was for emergencies only—not to be calling my friends to chat. I hated the huge thing, but Kylie had a point. “Don’t wait up for me,” I called over my shoulder as I headed out the door.

“Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do,” she replied, her voice laced with amusement.

I didn’t reply. Kylie’s rebellious attitude already worried me for her and for my parents. My two older sisters, Natalie and Melanie, were pretty much on the same level as me. They might’ve had a few moments where they snuck out or lied to our parents, but for the most part, they were kind of boring. I had a feeling Kylie was going to end up giving my parents even more grey hair.

After I pounded down the stairs, I grabbed my purse and keys off the end table in the foyer. “Lily?” my father called from the living room.

Just when I thought I was in the clear to escape down the hallway and out the garage door, my father would have to call me in. “Yes, Daddy?” I asked, after I stuck my head in the living room archway.

My dark haired, dark eyed two-year-old nephew, Asher, sat on my father’s lap. They were watching Aladdin for probably the hundredth time. My parents spent most of their Friday and Saturday nights babysitting their grandchildren so my sisters could have some alone time. No one loved and appreciated their two grandsons and granddaughter more than my parents.

“You be careful tonight. Make sure to take the phone.”

“I will, Daddy.”

He smiled. When I turned to start out the door, he said, “Tell Brayden I said hello.”

I froze. For a few seconds, I couldn’t blink, least of all breathe. Slowly, I turned back around to face my father. “But I’m not seeing Brayden tonight. I’m going out with the girls,” I argued feebly.

Daddy gave me a look that clearly said I wasn’t fooling anyone. “Just remember you have to be back by midnight.”

“You’re still letting me go?”

“Sure. Why wouldn’t I?”

“Because I lied to you about where I was going.”

Daddy adjusted Asher on his lap. “I like Brayden. Most of all, I trust him. He personally called me up to ask if it was all right for you to come hear his band play.”

“He did?” I asked incredulously. While I thought it was terribly sweet of Brayden to do that, I wished he had let me know, so we could get our stories straight.

“Yep. So any boy who goes to that extreme to make nice with me has only the best intentions when it comes to you.”

“Okay,” I replied.

“So go on, and have fun.”