From I Want You To Want Me - a 10 Things I Hate About You AU
The powdery aroma tickled Lilly Kane’s nostrils before the sound hit her ears. Both were equally unwelcome, but at least there was a softness to the fragrance. The words were hard, as her mother usually was.
“Where do you think you’re going? No more dating until you graduate, Lilly. That’s our final word.”
Snorting at the decree, Lilly Kane kept her back to the door and continued shifting through the rainbow of color that was her wardrobe.
One tiny public display of her braless years and you’d think she’d murdered someone. At least when Sheriff Mars caught up to her—and the disapproving getaway driver that was Eli ‘Weevil’ Navarro—instead of ticketing his daughter’s best friend for public indecency he’d only brought her home. She called that a good day. But, as usual, Celeste couldn't let it go.
Forbearing, Lilly focused on her clothing search, opting to do what she did best: tune her mother out. The key was letting just enough information filter in to stay informed, but not enough to give any semblance of caring.
“...half naked...out with that boy, in public…”
Lilly frowned, pushing aside a soft gray jersey dress. ‘That boy’ was very fond of her green silk camisole and Mrs. Navarro should have brought it home from the dry cleaner by now.
“...focus on your school work...”
Pink chiffon...red satin...
“...Vassar in the fall…”
blue organic cotton…coral linen…. Lilly made a mental note to add some cashmere to the mix. Vassar might be a clothing optional campus, but it did get cold in New York.
“....already cancelled your Visa. The Amex is next.”
Freezing, Lilly slowly lowered her hand from the hangers and faced the door, raising a brow when she noted her father. Sliding her eyes back to Celeste she forced her shoulders to relax. “You did what?”
“Cancelled the Visa.”
“You can’t do that.” Lilly crossed her arms. “Daddy?”
“It’s already done.”
“If you refuse to take your responsibilities seriously, we will.” Celeste added. “You need to stop wasting your life on boys and parties.”
“Boys? Or boy, mother?”
“You think that lawn jockey is going to wait around pumping gas until you come home from college? You’re deluding yourself.”
Through the angry roar of blood rushing through her head, Lilly cockedher head. “Oh, I have ways of keeping him interested.” For the simple pleasure of watching her mother's face pinch, she lifted her chin and let her fingers graze suggestively down the smooth column of her neck as she brushed a long golden lock behind her shoulder. “Not that you’d know anything about it, Mother. It’s no wonder I’m an only child. Daddy probably froze his balls off after one go ‘round.”
“Lilly,” her father warned.
Though Celeste’s hands were bunched at her sides her control didn’t slip, her voice didn’t waiver. It never did. “Your days of humiliating this family are done. No more dating, no more parties, no more naked runs through football fields into the arms of your grease monkey. It’s over.”
“I made commitments, I’m expected.” Tossing her hair, Lilly eyed her father. “Logan starts at Neptune High next week. Didn’t you tell me that I should ‘make him feel welcome.’ How am I supposed to do that if I’m being held hostage?”
“I’m hardly concerned with Logan Echolls’ social life.”
“Celeste.” Jake spoke at the same time, holding up a quelling hand, missing the flash in his wife’s eyes as he studied his daughter closely. “She has a point.”
“Jake!” Celeste protested as Lilly’s lips curved.
Jake speared his wife with a glance, then clarified to Lilly. “You can socialize, as long as Veronica is with you.”
Lilly’s smile fell. “A chaperone?”
“A friend. One that will ensure all outings are approved by the Balboa County Sheriff’s Department.”
“But, Daddy! Veronica’s no fun anymore. All she does is hang out with nerds and study.”
“That’s too bad.” Jake strolled off, leaving the Kane women staring after him.
