Speak To Me

(Tilly)

"Rylan I have to go! It's already been ten minutes since my mom called again." I gasped, feeling Rylan's mouth practically glued to my neck.

"Fine, but call me as soon as you go to bed okay?" He stated firmly, making me nod as Rylan finally pulled away from me, giving me one of the most breathtaking smiles I had ever seen. "You might want to put your hair down though..so your mom doesn't see." He said, causing my brow to furrow.

"See what?" I asked before pulling down the visor and going to open the mirror.

That's when my eyes practically popped out of my head..I lifted my chin, seeing dozens of little red marks all down the side of my neck as I couldn't help but gasp.

"Is..is that what you were doing the whole time?!" I asked, making him smile at me sheepishly as I started to panic.

"My mom is going to kill me!"

"Hey, don't worry..I made sure to keep them on the sides."

He explained while reaching up to help me let my hair down..

I feel like such an idiot..I mean..I obviously knew what hickeys were, but I thought it hurt more to get them..and what Rylan was doing didn't hurt..it felt like small wet kisses all over me.

"There, now you can't even tell.." He said, trying to act like it was no big deal..oh my mom would tell..

She had a knack for sniffing out this type of stuff... but she will know something is up the moment I walk in there.

"M-maybe we can go back to your place instead." I rushed out, causing Rylan to freeze.

"My place? Yeah..there is no way in hell we are doing that.." He laughed, making me frown as he suddenly seemed to realize how badly that sounded.

That's when he lifted his hand, placing it on the side of my neck gently.

"Tilly..not because I don't want you to..just because I know if you did..it would be damn hard to resist you. Besides..you are just trying to avoid seeing your mom." He added the last part quickly, causing a loud sigh to leave me.

"Fine..but if you don't hear from me for a few days...it's probably because my mom killed me!" I said before going to reach for the doorhandle as Rylan suddenly gripped my arm, stopping me. "Wait..give me one more kiss..please."

I looked at the big puppy named Rylan that appeared before me, his big green eyes pleading me as I couldn't help but give in..

I leaned over, pressing my lips to his as he held onto me for a few more seconds before finally letting go.

And I knew I had to leave now or I would never get out of here..

I quickly jumped out and closed the door, my cheeks burning red as I bit my lip and waved goodbye to Rylan one last time before turning and walking towards the apartment complex. That's when I suddenly heard him shouting something at me.

"Tilly Martinez! Tonight has been the best night of my life!" He suddenly hollered, causing my stomach to flip as embarrassment rushed through me.

There were a couple of pedestrians laughing as they passed by and I quickly made my way into the building. The moment I entered the doors, I couldn't help but place my back against the wall and shut my eyes. My heart felt like it could burst out of my chest as I tried to calm my breathing.

Tonight has been the best night of my life too..or so I had thought..I still have one obstacle to get through.

I slid my key into the lock, my hand trembling slightly as I quickly reached up and smoothed my hair out. That's when I pushed the door open and crept inside.

It was 10:30 at night, so my mom and dad were usually in bed watching TV by now..well, my dad liked to listen to those books on tape while Mom watched her telenovelas. But considering it was her day off..that's where I expected her to be..so you can imagine how startled I was when the lamp suddenly switched on, making me scream.

"Mama, you scared me!" I rushed out with my hand placed over my chest, feeling like I was about to have a heart attack.

"Mija, what took you so long? You said you would be home twenty minutes ago." She said firmly before standing and walking towards me..

For such a petite woman, she definitely had the intimidation factor down..

"Where's Papa? Is he already sleeping?" I asked, glancing around for my dad.

"Don't change the subject Tilly..who were you with..just that Jolie girl?" She asked, making me swallow hard as I went to take off my shoes. Big mistake..because apparently my mom didn't realize what I was wearing..she was too busy glaring at me to notice..well, now she did.

"What are you wearing Mija? Where did you get this from?" Mom gasped, stepping closer to me as she reached out, gripping my wrist.

"I..I found it in Shaina's closet.." I confessed sheepishly..that's when my mom opened her mouth to speak but suddenly froze, her eyes settling on my neck as she quickly reached up, pulling my hair to the side. "Què es esto? (What's this?)" She asked in Spanish, letting me know she was absolutely pissed.

"Mama, it's nothing!" I rushed out, seeing her shoot me an incredulous look and I knew it was over..I couldn't lie to her.

"I.....okay fine..I went on a date mama...with Rylan Walters.." I confessed, knowing I was about to get an ear full.

"Ay dios mio, what were you thinking Tilly! You went out with a boy and let him do..THIS..to you! Did you also sleep with him? Did you use protection?" She rushed out, causing my eyes to widen as I shook my head no. "Of course not Mama! I wouldn't just sleep with him on the first date!"

"I can't believe you would lie to me..I thought you were better than that..a boy.." She tsked and that's when she started to mutter dozens of curse words in Spanish as I let out a frustrated groan.

"I am twenty years old Mama! I don't get it..you never had these types of rules for Shaina! Why can't I even go out on one date?" I asked, feeling frustrated now as my mom paused for a moment.

"Because, you are different than Shaina.." She said firmly, causing my brow to furrow as those words Mrs. Walters said came back to me...and I had to ask..I needed to know if my mother was hiding something from me. "Mama..is..is there something you're not telling me?" I asked, watching my mother stiffen as she quickly turned away from me and started to walk towards the kitchen.

"I don't know what you are talking about Mija.."

"Well, Mrs. Walters said something.."

"Mrs. Walters? What did she say? You know you can't trust a single thing that woman says..she is a gossip and that's why I don't want you involved with that family. This Rylan boy too." She rushed out, leaving me standing there as I looked at her in confusion. "Mama..what aren't you telling me?" I whispered, feeling deep down something was seriously weird now..my mom never acts like this.

"Tilly..this is nothing to concern yourself about.."

"Paula..I think its time to tell her." My dad suddenly spoke up, surprising me as I saw him now standing in the hallway.

I rushed over, looping my hand around his arm as I quickly guided him towards the table.

"Papa, what are you doing up? Did we wake you?" I asked, making him shake his head no as he patted my hand gently.

"No cariño, you did not wake me..but it's time you knew the truth Tilly."

"Joaquin..please." My mom rushed out as tears suddenly filled her eyes.

"What..what is going on? What are you talking about?" I asked worriedly, causing my father to let out a long sigh before reaching for my hand as I gently took it.

"Mija..there is something we need to tell you." He stated, making my eyes glance towards my mom as she quickly spun around, unable to look at me.

What could this be about?

"Mi amor..we have been keeping a secret from you..something that we thought would be the best thing to do at the time. Something that might hurt you.." Papa began, causing me to swallow hard as my head started to become dizzy.

"W-What secret?" I felt like my world was starting to unravel..the possibilities of what he could say made me feel more anxious than I ever have in my life..but the words he spoke next..were the last ones I would ever expect to hear... "Your mother and I..we aren't your real parents Tilly..we are actually your grandparents.."