Mistakes Were Made

by Meryl Wilsner

“You wanna talk about it?” Acacia asked. She’d been silent since they left the airport, letting Cassie process or something. “It’s whatever,” Cassie grumbled. She turned up the radio. Then turned it down. “Did you know about this?” she asked. Acacia nodded. “You’re gonna have fun.” Cassie wasn’t so sure. “You can’t fuck Parker’s mom while you’re staying with her for winter break.” “I’m aware of that, Acacia.” “But you’re going to want to, like, the whole time you’re there.” Cassie was aware of that, too. Kaysh tapped her thumbs against the steering wheel. “Remind me again why you can’t just keep it in your pants?” “I can—I should—I will,” Cassie insisted. “I will.” Acacia glanced over at her. Neither of them said anything. “Erin’s just, like, super attractive, okay?” Cassie said eventually; Acacia’s patient quiet had always made her say too much. “And she’s pretty funny—I mean, we just made fun of Parker mostly, but whatever—you know how I feel about funny people.” “Yeah, your panties drop.” She wasn’t wrong. “Just don’t fuck Parker’s mom.” She paused, then added, “Again.” Cassie groaned. “I know, Kaysh. I’m not going to.”