Keeping 13

During the week at school, Shannon and Johnny see each other very little other than at lunch. She tries not to worry about her father and instead focuses on what is going well in her life. After school, she goes over to Johnny’s house and helps him work out.

Johnny asks Shannon what she wants. She tells him that all she wants is him, “especially the broken parts” (329). He kisses her, realizing that he can’t stop himself, and takes her onto his bed. She takes off her shirt, but after a few moments, Johnny stops. Shannon asks him why, and he tells her that he does not want to feel like they’re on a “timer.” He does not want to mess up their relationship, look back on these moments, and regret moving too fast and ruining things with her. She is happy that he is thinking about a future with her. Johnny tells her to put her shirt back on because he has an idea.

Johnny takes Shannon outside to his car and insists that she learn how to drive. She is initially hesitant, but by the end, she is ecstatic, repeatedly driving around his estate.