The Sweetest Devotion (The Affair Series Book 2)

West Wendover, NV (Part 2)

12 yrs old

STEF POV

"Ha this is dumb!" I said to Shanice as we were watching some movie on an old black and white TV as we roasted inside the trailer.  Shanice as the woman my mother rented the other room out too for the past for months but she ended up being nice. I'd hang out with her any day over my mother and she would even treat me to take out sometimes, and fix my hair and put makeup on me. I liked her and really didn't want her to move out if she planned on it. Today was one of the hottest days ever as we had the front door open and two fans blowing on us but nothing seemed to relieve the heat. Nothing at all as Shanice smoked on her cigarette laughing at the movie.

"You're a little girl. That's why it's dumb to you. When you get older ya'll love it."

"Doubt it." I said rolling my eyes and leaning on the back of the sofa as I sat on the floor beside her and fanning myself with my mothers Cosmo magazine.

"Oh Stef. You are a trip. What is it with you. You don't like boys?"

"What? I like boys. But not one's I see." I shrugged grabbing the cigarette from her and puffing it as she grabbed it back

"Don't do that. Smoking is shit. It's a bad habit. And what about the boys around here?"

"Ewl. They are nasty as fuck." I said making a face as she laughed.

"One day you won't think that. Wait until they start to notice you. I mean you get your period right? Just be careful then."

"Why?"

"Because once you get that you can get pregnant you know."

"You mean my rag?"

"Well that's another way to describe it. But yeah Stef. Once you get that you have to be careful when you have sex. You can get pregnant."

"Well I'm not having that." I shrugged. 

"Well maybe you won't need to worry about it anyway. Maybe you don't like boys."

"Huh?"

"You like your little friend Diane anyway. How was kissing her?"

"What? I didn't kiss her." I lied.

"Stef I saw you both. It's cool. I experimented with my friends too and I won't tell your mommy dearest."

"It wasn't experimenting."

"Yeah I know you like her. But some people may not like that. Just be prepared. Now sit  and let me do your hair it's a mess as usual. Do you even comb it?" She asked as I mad a face. "Or only when you see your friend?"

"Shut up." I said grabbing the comb from the kitchen and sitting between her legs.

"Relax Stef. But here is a tip if you do like her tell her."

"She knows I like her."

"Does she know you like her, like her?"

"I don't know. I don't want it to get weird and stuff."

"Ha things always get weird. Just tell her and don't be a little pussy."

"I'm not a pussy! Ouch!" I yelled as she combed a knot out of my hair.

"Oh stop that didn't hurt.  And if you combed it more you wouldn't be in pain. If you  not a pussy then tell you like her. Take her on a date."

"A date?"

"Yes.  Go see a movie."

"We do. We see the drive ins and watch the stars."

"Well now! Look at you Stefanie Foster. A romantic at 12." She said smiling as I rolled my eyes seeing my mother walk in.