Thank you to everyone who has taken the time out to read this fan fiction. Also a big thanks to everyone who has left feedback. I am open to your idea and thoughts.

Lies My Parents Told Me

Bette and Tinas marriage disintegrates in front of there fifteen year old daughter. I dont know how far I will take this story.

Im adding another photograph to the study of my parents and our family. It was a photograph of my mother and I. She was guiding my hand as I used a small water paintbrush. That was definitely a precursor to our mother/daughter relationship. She wanted to guide my art and in the beginning as a child I wanted her to. I looked up to my mother she knew more about art then anyone else in my life. I wanted to be just like her when I grew up. I dont want that anymore. I just want to create my own art without my mother figuratively holding my hand.

I closed the journal and put it into the bottom drawer of desk. My mother walked into my bedroom with out knocking. She never does knock. Her dark hair is tied up and Im surprised because she isnt wearing a suit. Shes dressed rather casually in a pair of flats, jeans, a top with a blazer completing the look.

I thought that you could come with to the gallery this morning. Bette said.

Ive got a shift at The Planet this afternoon. I replied.

I just thought that you would want to check out the exhibit that Im currently putting together. Leigh Ostin is the artist that Im featuring. Shes also the same woman who did the mobiles for you when you were baby. Bette said.

Sure I trailed off.

I mean if you have other plans I wouldnt want to force you to spend time with me. Bette replied.

You wouldnt be forcing me to spend time with you. I said.

Greatwe could even discuss your art project. Bette replied.

My mother walked out of my room. I let out a sigh because I knew this bonding time at her gallery was going to be less then enjoyable. I used to love going to the gallery. Not to say that I dont like going now but not as much as I use to. The conversation starts with art and ends up being about my future and what she thinks I should do.

We went to the gallery and walked around as a crew of workers set up.

Are you having trouble with your project? Bette asked.

No Im not having trouble with my project. I replied.

My mother nodded her head and I knew from the look on her face this conversation was far from over.

My offer still stands to look at what youve come up with so far. Bette said.

I dont need any help. I just need to work at my own pace. Would it be possible for you to respect that? I asked.

What has gotten into you lately? All Ive gotten from you is attitude. When I use to offer my help you willingly accepted it. Bette said.

Im not a child anymore. I replied.

You also seem to be forgetting that youre not an adult either. Bette said.

Im fifteen years old and you still treat me like Im five. I replied.

I just thought that you and I could come down to the gallery and have a good time and talk art. That obviously isnt what you want to do. So Ill just take you to The Planet. Bette sighed.

My mother pulled into the parking lot adjacent to The Planet. We both got out of her car and headed inside. The Planet was a popular coffee house. There was a line at the counter for drinks and only a handful of tables left. Both of my parents friends were already sitting at a large table. They were like an extended family. They all had a part in raising me. My friend and co-worker Luke waved to me from the counter. I walked over to him as I tied my apron around my waist. Luke handed me a tray with three oversized mugs on it. He pointed toward a table near the patio.

Can you run this order out to that table? Luke asked.

I nodded my head and took the tray and maneuvered around a few costumers. I knew the three girls sitting at the table talking amongst themselves. They went to high school with me we even shared a few classes but we werent friends. One of them in particular definitely got my attention. Her name is Katie Peabody and shes ridiculously beautiful and also an extremely talented painter and having an English accent definitely works in her favor. I placed there mochas in front of them and held the tray by my side. I could tell she wanted to say something to say something but she seemed nervous.

If you need anything just wave me down and if that doesnt work just throw some sugar packets at me and Ill come running. I grinned.

One of her friends nudged her arm and she opened her mouth to speak.

Soyou work at The Planet. Katie said.

Yeahmy Aunt Kit owns The Planet. I replied.

Oh Katie trailed off.

Yeahso youre Katie Peabody. I said.

You know who I am? Katie asked.

Of course I do we have a couple of classes together. I said.

Yeah Katie trailed off.

I should probably do my job because I am at work. It was nice talking to you. Ill see you around. I said.

Her friend nudged her again and Katie opened her mouth but no words came out. Her friend Alex who had nudged her both times decided to speak.

Are you doing anything tonight? Alex asked.

Katies other friend Sara chimed in.

Kate is having a party. Arent you having a party Katie? Sara asked.

Katie just simply nodded her head.

You should come. Its going to be a bonfire type of deal at the beach. Alex said.

Sure it sounds like a good time. Can I bring someone with me? I asked.

I didnt know you were dating anyone. Alex said.

Im not I was going to bring my best friend Mark. I replied.

Yeah thats fine. Isnt that fine Katie? Sara asked.

Thats finethatsthatsfine. Katie stammered.

Katie quickly grabbed her over sized mug and brought it to her lips before she said anything else.

When does this bonfire take place? I asked.

Alex nudged Katies shoulder and she put down her mug.

It takes places around sunset at Laguna Beach. Katie said.

Okayso Ill see you at sunset. I replied.

I walked away from Katie and her friends feeling pretty good about myself. Alice waved me over to the table she was sharing with my parents and my extended family.

Who were those girls you were talking to? Bette asked.

My mother tried to seem casual about it as she sipped her drink but I knew she was dying to know. She had to know every detail of my life so she could tell me if I was making the right choices.

They are just some girls from school who invited me to a bonfire tonight. I said.

Do you think thats a good idea considering you need to work on your art? Bette asked.

Mom I trailed off.

I think its cute that our daughter has a fan club. Tina said.

They are not my fan club just a group of girls I see around. I replied.

I think that one in the middle is into you. Alice said.

I turned my head to take a look and Katie quickly looked away from me.

Youre not supposed to look. Alice said.

You just told me she was looking at me. I replied.

You have so much to learn about the rituals of dating. I have my work cut out for me. Alice said.

You Bette laughed.

Whats the supposed to mean? Alice asked.

You will not be teaching my daughter anything about dating. Bette said.

Just follow your heart. I did eventually and look where it lead me. Shane said.

She grabbed a hold of Carmens hand and brought it to her lips and kissed it softly. I looked over at Dana to hear her thoughts.

Dont look at me. I know nothing about matters of the heart. Dana said.

Shes rightshe knows absolutely nothing. Alice said.

Youre allowed to make mistakes. Ive made more then my fair share. Jenny said.

Kit walked over to our table and put her arm around my shoulder.

All of you have taken up to much time of one my best servers. Let the girl get back to work. Kit said.

I silently thanked Kit for saving me from this discussion having five aunts on the side is more then I really need sometimes. I walked behind the counter and placed the tray on top.

Why doesnt that ever happen to me? Luke asked.

Why doesnt what happen to you? I asked.

You get hit on by girls and I get left out in the cold. Luke replied.

WellLukeare you forgetting that you work in a mainly ***** hangout? I asked.

Luke nodded his head and began to grin.

Thats why I wanted to work here in the first place. Luke said.

That night before I went to Katies party with Mark in tow we had a prep talk in my bedroom. Mark wasnt one of the most social guys in fact some would call him socially retarded.

Just try to be half way normal and not embarrass me. I said.

Mark jumped onto my bed and laid his head back against the pillow.

Youre really nervous about tonight. Scouts honor I will not do anything to embarrass youwell at least not intentionally. Mark laughed.

Thanks I replied sarcastically.

Thats what Im here for. Are you going to show me that project youve been working on? Mark asked.

I walked over to my desk and pulled out the journal and handed it to Mark. He flipped through a few of the pages.

This is some deep stuff youve got going on. Mark said.

Yeah I trailed off.

So why are you parents fighting so much? Mark asked.

I shrugged my shoulders as Mark handed me the journal. I placed it back in my desk drawer.

I have no idea. I replied.

Do you think they are going to get a divorce? Mark asked.

MaybeI trailed off.

Sorry about that man. Lets go to this party and get your mind off of this depressing stuff. Mark said.

Mark and I headed out to the party just as the sun was setting. We could see the bonfire from the parking lot as well as a few people. We headed down the beach and each grabbed a beer. I was standing with a couple of people who were talking. I wasnt really listening to the conversation. I was to busy staring intently at Katie on the other side of the bonfire. I was wishing that I had listened to whatever advice Alice had to give. I wondered should I stay here and wait for her to come to me. Or should I just go over to her. I knew she wanted to talk to me because she was looking at me while she stood with her friends.

Just go and talk to her. Mark said.

Mark pushed me forward and Katies friends pushed her forward and we started to walk toward each other and met half way.

You made it. Katie said.

Yeah I trailed off.

I took a sip of beer.

Do you want to go for a walk? Katie asked.

Sure. I replied.

We walked a few feet away from the party and settled down into the sand facing the ocean.

Thanks for inviting me. I said.

Thanks for coming. Katie replied.

So I trailed off.

Yeah Katie trailed off.

I looked over at Katie and she started to smile.

Youre beautifulI meanits beautiful out tonight. I said.

I always thought you were extremely talented. Katie said.

I always thought you were. I replied.

Noyoure just saying that. Katie laughed.

SeriouslyI think you are amazingI meanI think your paintings are amazing. I replied.

That means a lot coming from like the most talented person at our school. Katie said.

Im far from being the most talented. I said.

Youre modest I like that. Katie smiled.

Katie leaned over and kissed me softly on the lips. Her mouth was warm and moist and I wanted to kiss her back but I didnt get a chance. Alex rushed over to us.

I hate to interrupt but they are about to throw your friend Mark into the water. Alex said.

I quickly jumped up and ran toward Mark as he struggled with the guys who were carrying him to the water. They dropped him in the sand.

I cant leave you alone. I said.

I think we should probably go. Mark replied.

I didnt want to leave though but I could see that Mark was embarrassed. So I left without saying goodbye to Katie.

Mark looked over at me as we both got into my car.

Are you mad at me? Mark asked.

No Im not mad at you. I replied.

Anything happened with you and Katie? Mark asked.

I started up my car and started to drive out of the parking lot with a grin on my face.

I kissed Katie Peabody. I replied.