Page 177 - The Life of A Teenage Girl (Stories About Finding Your Way)

THE COST OF BELONGING

“Yeah,” I answered in a dull voice.
She sat on Alexa’s bed and said, “Look, I know you’re pretty sad,

but… you know those things aren’t really useful right now. And going

out alone at night is way too dangerous.”
“But I went with Alexa, and I’m 14 years old. There’s no need to

worry about me.”
“And I’m your mom—it’s my job to worry about you. It’s called

parenting.”
“Well, you don’t need to parent me because, luckily, nothing

happened. And I don’t know how you don’t care about me walking

alone to school, but you’re worried about me going out.”
“You don’t walk alone to school—you go with Alexa. And you

went out yesterday to the shop. At night. That’s more dangerous than
going out during the day.”

“So? Like I said, I’m 14 now. I don’t need my parents’ supervision.
I’m fine—alone or not.”

“Your dad and I decided you won’t be going out in the day or night

for a month. And even if you try to sneak out, we’ll eventually find out
and make it two months.”

“What?! C’mon! You’ve already taken away my stuff that, yes, I

really do need for school—and now you’re making me stay home for a
month? No way!”

“Yes, way! You made us really angry last night and even dragged
your best friend into it. Of course, we’ll punish you!”

“But—”

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