Vanessa Makes a U-Turn

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Vanessa’s breathless excitement is interrupted by loud knocking at her door, which she realizes has been going on for a while. She turns down the music and straightens out her clothes, dropping the phone as her mom bursts in. 

“Is there some reason you have to play the music so loud that I have to come kick on your door to get your attention?” she says.

“Sorry Mama.” Vanessa is worried that something will give her away, and rushes to start her homework.

By the next day, she has nearly forgotten the whole episode with Jaden, which seems like a strange dream—until she sees him in the hall and ventures a shy smile. He looks right through her and hurries past. 

Hurt and horrified, Vanessa is overcome with relief that she didn’t send him any of the photos he asked for. But it was only because her mom came in at just the right moment. It was a super close call, but she doesn’t think she’s going to be messing with alcohol again for a long time.