You make it to Beckie's class just as she emerges "Over here, dear!" you call to her as you make your way to her.

Beckie gives you a look you have given your own mother often enough, the look of resigned horror at seeing your totally uncool mom approaching and preparing to completely embarrass you in front of everybody. Well, that look never stopped your mother from humiliating you by treating you like a baby, and it is not going to stop you either. "I'm glad to find you. These halls can be dangerous for young girls."

"Did you have to?" is her sullen response.

"Well of course."

"Look, I'm a big girl. I can take care of myself, at least as well as you can. Why can't you leave me alone?"

As you start to respond, you realize you have one advantage your mother never did. "Because if I did, you would be rushing to catch me as soon as I left class."

"No I wouldn't. I totally would not. I would let you do what you like!" The volume she is almost yelling at betrays the weakness to her claim.

"So it's alright if I go to the Senior Center?" You turn to go in that direction. That's a bluff of course. You may not be the sharpest knife in the drawer, but you would have to be really dull not to know the Senior Center is for seniors and for a lowly frosh to go there... Well, you are not sure what would happen, but you are sure you would regret it, if you were lucky.

The bluff is not called of course. "You'll do no such thing, young lady!" Beckie booms out in a tone of voice your own mother would envy. You definitely win this point, tho that would feel better if Beckie was not grabbing you by the ear and towing you down the hall.

"Ow! OK, OK, I promise, I won't go there." you plea. Beckie gives you a suspicious look, but let's go at least. As you rub your abused ear, you continue the argument. "But you see. We are mothers, and daughters. We are not going to let each other alone, not when we might do something stupid, which of course includes most stuff that is fun."

Beckie glares at you, and growls "Don't get snippy with your mother."

"I'll get as snippy with my daughter as she is with me." That earns you another glare. You glare back, until Beckie breaks down with giggles.

"Yeah, I guess you are right. We are just going to have to put up with our mothers, and our daughters.
"But as your mother, I do get to remind you, you skipped breakfast, so it's time to get some food in your belly."

"Same goes for you." But now both of you are smiling.