Erica stared at Brenden’s last text message until her eyes grew blurry.

Then her bedroom door suddenly swung open, causing Erica to shriek.

Her mother stood there, a disgruntled expression on her face. “I could hear the buzzing from my room.”

Erica groaned, then decided not to complain. Her mom had been cool enough to give her back her cell phone after all. Plus there was the undecided matter of tomorrow night’s party. Best to stay in her mom’s good graces.

“Sorry.” Her mom sighed and left again. Just as Erica was about to shut off her cell phone, it began vibrating.

Another text message. Erica’s eyes opened wide. Could it be?

New text message from Lisa
u ok? ur mom was rly pissed.

Erica sighed despite herself, berating herself for getting her hopes up like that. Then she typed back: I’m OK. I went 2 park w/ Brenden!!!!

New text message from Lisa
WOW .

Smiling in the darkness of her bedroom, Erica typed back: Tell me about it.

Then Erica heard her mom call out, “Turn it off, Erica!”