Chapter's song: Dangerous woman by Ariana Grande

I checked the weather forecast to plan my clothes for camp. It was supposed to be sunny, so I made sure to pack clothes that would keep me fresh. I did it with one hand, meaning that it took me ages to finish. Tired and completely moody for having hurt my hand right before camp, I stepped down the stairs to where my family was. Juno and Seth finished preparing dinner and were now playing cards waiting for me to join them.

Juno looked up as I crossed through the door. "Are you all set?" her eyes crinkled on the corners and her lips tugged up.

Nodding, I plopped onto the chair next to her. "I can't believe that I won't be able to fish," I sulked to myself as Seth put the cards away, finishing the game at once. He was probably losing because he was eager to get it done. "Sorry for taking so long," I said as I narrowed my eyes at him.

Juno's chair creaked as she pushed it back. "Don't worry. I've been enjoying myself." She winked at me with a smug smile before standing up. "Seth on the other hand, is a sore loser."

I glanced at Seth. His lips were pressed together as he gathered the cards in his hands. "You lost?" his eyes looked up, not amused at all.

"I broke him like a small pea pod," Juno said behind me. Her tone of voice was amused. Seth and I shared a look. A pea pod? "Anyway," she continued like she was making sense, "I'm sure you're going to have so much fun, Jess! I even got you something!" I glanced at her as she stirred the casserole. "Come on Seth, help me serve."

I fought the urge to roll my eyes. "I can help, Juno." I was tired of people treating me like I couldn't do anything.

"Very well," her gray head bobbed as she placed the lid on the cooking dish. "You help me serve while I go get your present." She looked at my little brother. "You're in charge of cleaning up the kitchen, okay?"

Seth groaned and slumped on his seat, but we all knew it was all for show. He didn't really mind helping around the house.

Smiling to myself, I went to check the sloppy joe's sauce. "How much did you lose?" I grabbed a spoon and blew off the steam before I tasted it. It was spicy and homey. One of my favorite meals.

"I have to do the laundry for a month," Seth grumbled. I glanced at him. He'd crossed his arms and was rolling his eyes. If there was anything that Seth disliked, it was doing laundry. He had no problem with chores, but folding clothes was his doom.

A small chuckle left my lips. He glared at me. "Sorry. I'd help you if I could."

"Whatever," he muttered.

I smiled at him before starting to serve our food. When I finished setting all the plates on the table, he'd uncrossed his arms, looking more at ease.

Juno's whistling was heard on the living room. It sounded louder as she approached us. Her grin was wide as she placed a couple of neon packages on the middle of the table. Silence reigned on the room as my brother and I stared at them.

"Is that—" Seth started, reaching out to grab one.

Juno looked at me. "Condoms? Yes. They are."

I leaned on my left elbow, rubbing a palm across my face. When your grandmother tells you that she got you something for camp, you think she might get you sunscreen or mosquito repellent. I don't know, something more camping-like.

"They're strawberry scented," she added before pulling out her chair and taking a seat. Seth's snicker sounded on the background.

I tried not to groan. Taking a deep breath, I stared at my grandmother. "Why would I need condoms?"

"The other one is coffee scented?" Seth asked as he examined the freaking package.

Juno didn't seem affected by my sudden glare. Of course she wouldn't. This was Juno. She ignored me as she grabbed a spoon and dipped it into her meal. "I thought you could use them, seeing that you and Bryan are giving the next step."

This time, I did groan. "What step? I'm not even sure what's going on. I'm not going to sleep with him."

Juno's eyes were steady as she looked at me. "Are you sure? Because you guys just had an intense interaction out there."

OH. MY. GOD. If I had both hands, I'd tried to hide my flaming cheeks behind them.

Seth dropped the packages back on the middle of the table. "That's too much information, Juno." He sounded grossed out. It was my time to glare at him.

"I think it's okay for a couple to have a sexual appetite," Juno added nonchalantly.

I grimaced. "I really don't want to hear this!" Seth said in a panicked tone.

"A girl your age needs to be prepared at –"

"I've never done it!" I burst out before she continued to talk about sex.

Juno's eyes cut to me. I didn't even try to glance at Seth. I was sure his eyes were wide. Juno left the spoon on the rim of the plate. "You've never had sex?"

I pursed my lips. Should I spell it? I took a deep breath. My tone was soft as I looked at my food. "No. I've always felt like I could get pregnant and I couldn't. I was barely making money, how was I supposed to raise a child?"

"You can have sex without getting pregnant, Jess."

A chair creaked. "Okay. You know what?" Seth's voice loomed over as he grabbed his plate and his water. "I think Call of Duty needs my attention, so I'm just going to take off," he trailed as embarrassed as I felt.

We ignored him. I could feel Juno's eyes on me and I was still glaring at my food. I heard him shuffle with all his things before climbing the steps and refuging in his room.

"Jessie, honey, do you want to talk about it?"

Somewhat exasperated, I glanced at her. "What if I'm still a virgin?"

Her gaze was soft. "I don't think you'll be a virgin for too long with Bryan."

Blushing like crazy, I shook my head. "Juno..." my tone was defeated as I rolled my eyes.

Her warm hand encased mine. "Sex is a normal activity, Jessie. If you take precautions, you don't have to get pregnant and you can enjoy this part of life." I looked up at her. A small smile crossed her lips. "I can't say this to Seth, of course, but I'd encourage you to live a little. Have fun and discover new things." She squeezed my hand. "I'm sorry you've had the weight of this family over your shoulders. You're too young for that."

My heart clenched at the sadness laced in her words. "It's okay. I've never cared."

"Have fun, sweetie. Do something reckless. Live a little." Her words cracked me up. She squeezed my hand one more time before pulling away and eating her meal.

We didn't talk much over dinner. The air felt sort of awkward. When we finished, I did take the condoms for her sake. I wasn't going to take them to camp because I wasn't going to sleep with Bryan. I needed to know where we stood first.

After dinner, on my way to my room, I stopped at my little brother's room. I knocked on his door. You could hear the sound of guns and bombs exploding inside. Opening the door, I peeked inside. "Seth?"

He glanced at me. The game was still going on as I said, "catch." The condoms flew through the room before he caught them. His cheeks flushed as he placed them on his bed. "Don't use them in like two years more!" I closed the door as he laughed at me.

Shaking my head, I smiled. Why, in a million years, would I think that Juno would get me mosquito repellent? Juno was Juno. And I couldn't have her any other way.

I just hoped Monica got repellent, because it was crystal clear I didn't.

Hey everyone!

So last chapter was a huge NO-NO for me. Like seriously. I sat myself down and started to type (with this chapter in my head) and another thing came out. I am a total panster and ugh. Sometimes, I don't like whatever comes out of my head. But hopefully, this is fixed by now :)

Of course, I have to now think harder how to make camp fun for Jessie with one hand. But whatever. Hey! if you have other stories or you know, suggestions, hahaha they are more than welcomed :)

Thanks for reading this! Don't forget to vote!