That's it! The 'Melting Cafe'! I exclaim to myself, almost jumping up and down when I see a little kid whose face is smeared with chocolate. His small eyes are shining as he eats the last bites of a chocolate bar, and I know mine are as bright now that I've got the perfect idea for Alex and I's second date

My smile grows wider and my heart skips a beat just thinking of Alex. I know our first date has been only yesterday, but I've already spent most of the night, and the morning until now, half dreamy and euphoric, replaying this previous exhilarating night, and half nervous, racking my brain to find the perfect date idea.

Now, I have it: a snack at the 'Melting Cafe', a cafe where they serve everything chocolate-flavored, and then go watch a movie. This will be a quieter, more typical date like Alex has wished, yet with a little sweet twist. I get butterflies in my stomach just thinking of this second date with Alex. 'Second date with Alex', each word sounds surreal and magical.

"Elena?! Are you here?!" My Mom's voice pulls me out of my daydreams.

"Yeah," I reply, trying to sound like I'm here, even if a big part of me is floating somewhere, and the heat on my cheeks probably gives it away.

"I was asking you if you wanted something to drink?" She shakes her head, her eyes twinkling, while I can't put down the wide smile on my face, an obvious mark of last night; luckily I've hidden the other obvious mark under a scarf.

"No, I'm fine." I breathe in the fall air scented with the smell of roasted chestnuts, feeling more than fine.

I've been gleeful since yesterday, and even my Dad's sneaky remarks can't bring down my stupid smile.

We're currently at the Fall fair of the town. The sun is shining, almost as bright as my mood. The kids are skipping around like my heartbeat when I think of last night, and like my thoughts, the streets are buzzing with busy vendors, strollers, and chatty walkers.

"And you Moose, how are you?"

The name 'Moose' leaving my Mom's lips rings like an alarm bell bringing me back to reality, and I'm fully there to watch his 'too nice' smile at my parents.

"I'm fine." His blue eyes slide to me as if he's just noticed me now, but something tells me he's already seen me. "Oh! And you Elena, are you alright?"

I swear I see a glint of mischief behind the fake concern in his eyes, and my stomach knots as a warning of what's to come.

Indeed, I don't have time to reply that Moose adds, "You know I'm really worried for you, Elena, since you're dating this gang leader."

My smile crumbles down like everything inside. No, he hasn't?! It's not possible...

But Moose generously makes sure to erase any hope I could have as he looks back at my parents. "You must be worried too!"

In one second, all my bright mood is blown away, stomped on. The heat burns my cheeks as inside I'm frozen.

I glance up to see my Dad's eyes spit anger, while my Mom's are wide with surprise and a shade of disappointment. I don't know which ones I dread the most.

"Oh! I'm sorry... Elena didn't tell you?" Moose gives us a sorry look, though I don't buy it.

"I'll go get a drink..." My survival instinct makes me escape, not ready to face my parents' wrath and to make a spectacle of myself in the middle of the fair and particularly, in front of Moose who, something tells me, would enjoy it too much.

***

I collapse against my room door as soon as I lock it.

My bliss is long gone, replaced by despair, hopelessness, and anger.

Alone in my room, I try to replay memories of last night, but it feels like they're light-years away, and I'll probably have to wait as long to get the chance to live another date like this.

After I've escaped the fair and Moose's ambush, my Dad has quickly caught up with me, making a scene in the middle of the street and going on once we've got home. He has bawled me out, lectured me. I can still ear the bitterness of his words as he's told me he doesn't want his daughter to end up "a slut" hanging with "criminals", that I am "foolish to think that this thug is interested in anything else than getting in my pants", and I don't remember the other words, though I still feel them in the painful lump in my throat. Finally, the thing that has hurt me the most is that he has forbidden me to ever see Alex again, grounding me for I don't even know how long.

I want to scream, but I can't find my voice; I don't have the strength. Everything is tightening inside, curling up like I am currently with my arms wrapping around my legs.

Just when I start feeling the tears rolling down my cheeks, my phone buzzes, a text lighting the screen and my dark mood.

From Alex:

'Hey, Miss Clumsy Cutie Cookie ;)

How are you since yesterday?'

I smile through my tears. It's crazy how even when he's not here with me, Alex always comes along just at the right time and makes me feel a little lighter.

Though I don't reply for now because I don't wanna lie to him, but I don't want to tell him the truth either. I haven't mentioned to him that I haven't talked to my parents about him, and I don't want him to know what they think. I hate to see his look change every time someone implies he is a bad influence. He puts on an unfazed mask, yet I know for doing the same that behind there can be a restless turmoil.

Three gentle knocks behind me on my door pull me out of the contemplation of my phone.

I stand up silently, holding my breath and staring at my closed door as if it held the rest of my miserable doom with its little lock.

"Elena, it's me. Open the door, please." My Mom's soft voice reaches me through the door.

My shaking hands stop for a second on the handle as I try to remember what has happened and find hints that could tell me what's to come. But my Mom has been quiet the whole time since Moose's revelation and during the argument with my Dad. I don't know what to expect. The only thing imprinted in my memory is the disappointment that has clouded her clear eyes.

Gulping the knots growing from my stomach up until my throat, I open the door slowly.

I'm engulfed in her arms before I can even see her face, the knot in my stomach instantly untangling a little. Her embrace is tight and soft, and I return it almost with desperation. I haven't known I've needed it so much.

Once she's sure her hug has dried my tears, she lets go, though the knots in my stomach are still there strong with the prospect of talking...

"So, can I have your true version?" She searches for my eyes with her kind ones, yet I can still catch glimpse of a dash of disappointment.

I avert my gaze down, unable to face this look in her eyes, as my heart tightens. But as always, she stays gentle and comforting, and as she leads me to sit down on my bed, I know I owe her the truth.

So I take a big breath and confess, "You know my project partner, the one who offered me a ride home and took me on a date yesterday..." I wring my hands, though far less than my stomach is right now.

"Yeah, Austin? Who kissed you?"

The blood rushes to my cheeks. "Well... It was Alex Carter. I made up the name... but the rest is true." I risk a glance up at her, despite my burning face and knotted stomach. "Except that the ride was on his motorbike and that he also taught me self-defense..." I blurt out, unable to lie under her 'Mom that knows it all' stare.

I just omit the police getaway of last night; I think it's enough revelations for today.

She looks me straight in the eyes, and the seriousness there makes me swallow hard.

"Does he treat you right?"

"Yes." I hold her stare as my chest opens up just slightly. "He's really sweet and considerate." A smile naturally finds its way on my lips.

"And he doesn't force you to do anything?"

"No! No!" I shake my head.

"Then, you have my blessing," she declares with a big smile.

My heart skips a beat, but I don't let it take off with too much hope as I gawk at her. "B-But... and what Dad–"

"He doesn't have to know. If you want to see this Alex, then I'll let you."

"Really?!" I ask, though my heart is already gathering speed.

"Yes."

"Even with his bad reputation?" I bite my lip, still holding back the leap of my heart because I know the fall of my hopes would be too hard.

"I don't know him, but I know you, and since he's entered your life, you smile more, you don't dread going to school anymore, and your beautiful eyes are shining! That's all that matters." She smiles.

There I let my heart jump, bringing warmth to my cheeks and already taking my mind back to him.

"And I trust you," she adds more serious. "We, better than anyone else, know to not judge a book by its cover."

I nod slightly, coming back to reality.

"And I think you're better than me to see people's true nature." She offers me a half-smile.

Rather than saying anything, I hug her, letting her know everything that's on my heart and thanking her without a word.

She pulls out, eyeing me with a more solemn look. "But I don't want you to lie to me ever again."

I nod quickly. "I promise."

"You know you can tell me anything," she whispers against the side of my head as she's already taking me in her arms again.

So what do you think of Moose's ambush? Do you think he will ever stop trying to separate Alex and Elena? 

And will Elena be able to keep seeing Alex?

I hope you liked this chapter, let me know what you think in the comments, vote... Your help and feedbacks are more than welcome! :)