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last six months. I’m sixteen now; driving myself wherever I need to go which gives me more freedom than I’ve ever had before; and I don’t have Luke around the corner for me to run to when I need him. I’ve seen him on his breaks: Thanksgiving was just like old times, but Christmas threw me for a loop. I was expecting the Katie Daniels thing; she followed through with her threat and ended up going to USC, so he’s with her every day. I know he’s had sex with her; she loves to brag about it to anyone who’ll listen, but the conversation at the dinner table about another girl … I don’t know, caused me to lose my breath. Luke tried to change the subject, but his mom was adamant she wanted to know all about Lisa. Apparently, the girl answered his phone when his mom called him. I was shocked and even more hurt that he hadn’t told me. Of course, later that night he blew it off like it was no big deal, but I knew he was holding something back. Talking to him that night, I realized how much things had changed between us.
    “It’s no big deal, can we drop it?” he begged.
    “If she’s important to you I want to know,” I was worse than his mom.
    “She isn’t important and you’re beginning to piss me off, Phoebe.” Wow where the hell did that come from?
    So in typical fashion, I dropped it. He was a bit standoffish the rest of the visit and left a few days early to go back to campus. Our calls are strained and less frequent, and it’s finally given me the kick in the ass I needed to live my life; one that didn’t revolve around Luke. So here I am, getting ready for my first ‘official’ date, and not with Drake. He’s still around, but as much as I hate to admit it, everyone was right. He’s a shady motherfucker. Currently serving some time in juvie for a car-jacking attempt. Of course, he swears he was in the wrong place at the wrong time, but he’s bad news, so I’m keeping my distance. Don’t get me wrong, he’s pretty to look at, but I had to admit to myself he’s way too experienced for me, and too rough around the edges. Not the rough around the edges with a heart of gold, just plain rough around the edges. He’s hardened, which is good for him because he’ll likely end up in the state penitentiary.
    Tim Lauler, senior, and overall nice guy, is my date for the evening. I’ve had a few encounters with him when he hung out with Luke and his friends, but was shocked when he asked me out for tonight. He seemed a little unsure of himself and that wasn’t the same cocky, joke-cracking guy I’d witnessed many times before. I swipe the lip-gloss over my lips and make my way to the living room to wait for him. I beg my dad to not interrogate him too badly. When the doorbell rings, I’m shocked it’s Luke. It’s a bit uncomfortable. I have no idea why he’s here and not sure how he’ll react to my date.
    “Nice to see you, Lucas,” my dad says, reaching to shake his hand.
    “Wouldn’t miss it for the world. I’ve gotta be here to interrogate the first guy taking our girl out.” He shoots me a glare mixed with hurt and anger. I can’t believe he’s trying to mess with my date.
    “A word, Lucas?” I give him my no nonsense look, and he chuckles at me. Sure, he tries to hide it but you can’t miss the mischief and amusement in his eyes. He follows me to the kitchen where I lay into him. “You came all the way home to fuck with my date. Seriously, that’s a bit much.” I’m pissed and a bit embarrassed that it thrills me he still wants to be here for me.
    “Phoebe, calm down. My mom mentioned you had a date, so I called your dad and asked if he needed back up. After all, what are big brothers supposed to do?”
    Just like that the winds are knocked out of my sails. Big brother? Never. Not the thoughts I’ve had about him and not after that kiss we shared, that shall never be talked about. “Leave Tim alone. He’s a nice guy.”
    “I know. Otherwise you wouldn’t be going out