🐞MTOABB🐞

"Mom, are you home?" I yell, as I open the front door.

I move towards the kitchen where she's standing, dusting off her hands from the flour.

"What do I always tell you about not yelling in the house," she says, moving to stir the gravy on the stove.

"I know, I'm sorry," I say grabbing a piece of bread from the basket on the counter.

"How has your day been so far?" She asks, moving to place the unbaked pastries in the oven.

"It's been good, but I have an assignment due tomorrow and I need to head over to my partner's house," I say.

"When will you be home?" She asks.

"I won't be long, maybe a few hours only," I say, but then I remember Cassandra's words. "I was wondering if I can sleep over at Cassandra's place since I'm already going there?"

Mom turns to give me one of her many disapproval stares.
"Rossita, it's a school night," she says.

"I know, but I'm very responsible and she's the only friend that I can call my own without her being Chloe's friend first," I whine.

She doesn't say anything for a few seconds too long.

After that long hiatus, she says, "fine. I'm going to need her mom's number."

Oh shit.
I don't even have her number.

If we didn't exchange numbers and don't talk on a regular basis, are we considered friends?

"Let me get my stuff together upstairs and I'll come down with her mom's number," I say, already making a run for the stairs.

Hey. I'll be there in half an hour, but we've run into a little dilemma _Rossita

I put the phone on my bed as I change into a freshly washed baby-smelling blouse.

A notification pings and I jump to grab my phone.

I've been waiting for you. What is the little dilemma? _Gomes

A hello back would be very much appreciated _Rossita

"Hi Rossita _Gomes

I smile as I begin to immediately text back.

So I'm coming to sleep over and my mom needs your mom's number _Rossita

Your mom is allowing you to sleep over at a guy's house? _Gomes

"Don't flatter yourself. I'm technically sleeping over by Cass's house, i just happen to not have her number _Rossita

Fair enough. But my mom's number is not an option _Gomes

All my high hopes started to slowly drift.

Why not? _Rossita

All of a sudden I was desperate.

It just isn't. Why don't I give Jordan's number instead? _Gomes

I hesitated, staring at my phone.

My mom wants your mom's number _Rossita

Then don't tell her that it isn't. I'll tell Jordan to play the part _Gomes

Such a dork thing to write, am I right?

Hope you sensed my sarcasm because having to read that, had me think twice about who Gomes really is.

I wanted to let him know that I'll be keeping an eye on him, but having him know that wouldn't be any fun, so I didn't.

Okay _Rossita

I'll see you in a few _Gomes

I throw my phone back on the bed as I saunter towards my closet.

I grab my very cute pajama set and throw it in my bag. Along with that is my notebook and tomorrow's outfit, which consists of a plain white top and blue jeans.

I walk downstairs with a scribbled number on a piece of paper.

"Here you go, mom," I say, placing the paper on the kitchen counter.

I open the front door and wave goodbye.

I see Cass's car pulled up in front of my house. I move towards it and find Prinse drumming on the steering wheel.

"How long have you been sitting here?" I ask, tapping on his window.

He rolls the window. "Not long, a few minutes."

I smile unintentionally and move towards the passenger door.

"So you are really sleeping over," he says backing out of the front porch.

"Yes. Cass wanted me to," I say, buckling in the seatbelt.

"Right." He nodded and silently continued to drive.

"Why are you driving your sister's car?" I ask.

"Not sure if you would tag along if I rolled up with my ride," he shrugs.

I chuckle, glaring out of the window.

"You are a strange one, so what ride is this that I wouldn't have tagged along with."

"I ride a bike," he says.

"You ride a what?" I ask, clearly taken back.

"Its not a big deal."

"Not a big deal? How do you drive a bike and still wear these hideous glasses, this is not making any sense," I say as he finally stops the car.

He laughs as he grabs my duffle bag from the backseat.

"Will you teach me how to drive?" I ask getting out of the car.

"Sure. We have the whole day together."

"Don't say it like that," I say.

"Like how?"

"Like we are together."

"Rossita---," he pauses.
"Do you ever think before you speak?"

I stare at him baffled - well that's a good question.