Free Breathless: A Firelight Novella (HarperTeen Impulse) by Sophie Jordan

as I hurry the rest of the way to the house. I can’t.
    The porch light is still on and so is the upstairs light in my parents’ room. I slip inside quietly, careful of my steps on the creaky floor.
    I half expect to see Dad asleep over his books, but the living room is empty. I poise a foot over the bottom step, freezing at the sound of Mom’s voice.
    “In the kitchen, Az.”
    I bring my foot back down, a sinking sensation settling in my stomach. Sighing, I turn and move into the kitchen.
    Dad’s there and I’m sure surprise crosses my face. It’s way past his bedtime. He rests his cheek in his hand and his eyes are bleary as he stirs a cup of verda tea.
    Mom turns from the sink. “Where have you been?” Her gaze flicks over me. “Not swimming, I see.”
    “No.”
    “Then where?” She brings her mug to her lips and takes a sip. “Or should I ask with whom?”
    An entire world of answers skips through my mind. Lies all. In the end, I settle for the truth. “I met someone. I was out with him.”
    Dad wakes up a little bit at this announcement. “Him?”
    “Yes. He’s a local.”
    “You were with him when you went out last night, too, weren’t you?”
    It’s my turn to be surprised. “You knew I snuck out last night?”
    A small smile plays about Mom’s lips. “I’ve known every time. Here. And when you sneak off with Jacinda back home, too. Not much gets past me.”
    “How come you didn’t say anything?” Suddenly I feel a little bit foolish remembering all my efforts at stealth. So unnecessary. Here and, apparently, at home.
    “Your father and I are trying to give you your space. In a year, you’ll be taking your tour. We won’t be with you.” Her lips twist into something between a grimace and a smile. “At least that’s what you keep reminding us. Well. If you’re going to be on your own soon, then it seems rather silly to curtail your activities now.”
    I scrutinize my mother like I’ve never seen her before. Like I can’t recognize her. She sinks into the chair across from me, taking another sip from her mug. “So this boy lives in town?”
    I nod dumbly, looking back and forth between my parents, baffled at how accepting they are of the fact that I’ve gotten myself involved with a human boy.
    “Yes. He’s very … nice.”
    “Will you being seeing him again?” Dad asks. Like it’s fine if I do.
    “You don’t care?” I look at each of them. “You think that’s a good idea? He’s a human.” Why are they so calm? “Shouldn’t our contact with humans be superficial? That’s what you’ve always said before.”
    “It doesn’t matter what we think, Az,” Mom says again in that thoroughly unfazed voice. “What do you think?”
    They’re serious. They’ll support me in whatever decision I make. I’m free to make my own choices … and it kind of terrifies me. Whether I want to see Tate again or not is entirely up to me.
    My shoulders slump where I sit and I stare down at my hands on the top of the table. Who am I kidding? I can’t stay here and not see him. He’s awakened something in me, and I won’t be able to stay away now. He doesn’t even have to come back here. I know where he lives now. I can easily find my way there. All of which is horrible considering that our relationship will be built on lies and someday, ultimately, I’ll have to tear myself away from him. If not now, eventually.
    I raise my gaze to their expectant faces. They watch me, waiting for an answer. I inhale. Exhale. “We need to go home.”
    Mom cocks an eyebrow, the only outward sign of surprise. “Are you sure?”
    I nod. “Yeah. Tomorrow.”

10
    I t doesn’t take long to pack the following morning. Mom and Dad are waiting downstairs by the time I finish, their expressions still mild and calm as ever. I can’t say the same for me. What I glimpsed of my reflection in the mirror brought to mind a horror movie. My hair hung a wild mess down my back. Shadows smudged the skin beneath my