F I V E

ELIZABETH.

What I wake up to is the loud shouts of my name from my mom.

I let out a loud groan as I throw my covers shielding me away from the light and lean against my headboard then her call comes again, “Elizabeth! Are you not up yet? It’s getting late. “

“I’m up. I’ll be down in a few. “ I scream back and there’s finally silence. I cover my mouth as a yawn slips through my lips and I do a stretch of my body with a few bones cracking before I begin to move out of bed.

Walking out of my room, I take the path that leads me to her and as I take the last stair, Mom appears before me with a huge smile on her face.

“Hey baby, “ She greets as she wraps her hands around my waist; the fact that I’m on a stair giving her easier access to it.

When she pulls back, I lift a brow, “What’s with the morning affection?”

She chuckles as she pulls her hands to her sides. “I’ve always been affectionate, haven’t I?”

“Yes, but it feels different. You just called me baby and you rarely do that. “

She shrugs as she steps away and I move down from the last stair to follow her.

“I guess I just happen to be in a good mood. “

“Right. What happened last night? You didn’t come home. “

“I did, “ She disagrees, glancing over her shoulder at me before she turns to the front again; leaving me with the view of her black shiny hair. No doubt I got mine from her.

“I got held up so I arrived late. You were fast asleep and I didn’t want to disturb your peace so I quietly settled. “

We arrive in the kitchen and Mom stops at the counter as she turns back to me. She gives me a once over before she says, “And why didn’t you take out that gown?”

“Was too tired. “ I respond and she hums.

“Alright. Before you get ready for school, you should know I want you back early today. “ Her expression changes as she utters the last part. Not in a bad way. But in a way where her face glows even more and her eyes gleam brighter than before.

I raise a suspicious brow, “Why? What’s the occasion?”

“You’ll see. “ She grins. “Now go get ready. You’re getting late for school. “ She turns her back to me and I stare at the view for seconds; wondering what’s got her so radiant and happy. I know my mother to be a positive woman who smiles no matter what situation she’s in but there’s something different about this vibe and I’m dying to find out what exactly it is that’s got her this way.

“Alright. “ I say and make my way out of the kitchen to get ready for school.

~

“Hey. We might have to postpone checking out that place later today. Dad needs me home earlier. “ I shut my locker and James comes into my view.

I nod and fasten the string of my bag. “I was going to tell you I can’t make it either. “

“You got other plans?” He asks and I nod. “Yeah. For some weird reason, Mom wants me home early too. I think it’s a good thing. She was all beaming and glowing this morning. “ I smile.

“Hm. We go some other time then. “ He says and I agree before I let my eyes move down his body. He’s in the school uniform, which looks ugly on most but not James. I’m yet to find something that’d look ugly on this boy I swear to god.

“Okay. I’ll catch you later. I need to get to class. See you at lunch?” He says, bringing me out of my thoughts and I hum, moving into his open arms for the hug he usually gives before we depart.

A hug that tortures me in a way because I want to stay longer than he lets. Not just because of the amazing feel of his warmth but also the nice smell of his perfume.

“Catch you later cutie. “ It’s his last words before he pulls away and leaves.

I wait for his frame to completely disappear before I turn back and I’m taken aback by the person before me.

Giselle. Oh god. Not her again.

“What are you doing?” I ask and she steps closer. “I need your help and before you urgently have to leave; I really really need you. “

I sigh, “Giselle. Please—“

“I know you’re friends with James and I know I probably look embarrassing doing this–“ At least you’re self-aware. Stop being rude Elizabeth. “But I really like James and he keeps avoiding me. “

“Isn’t that enough for you to get the message?” I mutter under my breath.

“What?” Giselle says and I raise my head to her. “Look Gisselle. I wish I could help you. I really do. “ I don’t. “But I can’t. If James is avoiding you then it’s probably for a reason. You really should stop chasing after him every day. That wouldn’t get his attention. It’d only make him annoyed. You should forget about him and look elsewhere. I’m sorry. “ With those words, I walk out of her sight.

And I hope she listens this time. Though I can’t say if that hope is for me wanting her to honestly stop following James around because it annoys me or because it annoys James.

~

“Who got your attention that bad?” I raise my head at the sound of James's voice and chuckle as I send the text before I put my phone away.

“It’s no one. “ I reply to his question and take a sip of my drink.

“You’ve been on your phone since we got here. You barely touched your food. “ He points out and my phone dings again.

I grab it to respond to yet another text from Louis.

“See?” James says.

“It’s just Louis. “

“The boy from the party uh. I told you he likes you, didn’t I?” He utters with a smug face and I shake my head. “It’s not in that way. He’s just being friendly. “

“Fine. If you say so. I’ll let you find out yourself. “ He chuckles as he returns his attention to his food and I reply to Louis's text.

LOUIS: I’ve been speaking about me but you haven’t said a single word about yourself.

ME: Girl. Love school. There’s not much to know.

I ensure it’s delivered before I put my phone away.

I turn my gaze to James and I watch as he chews slowly on his nuggets, murmuring to himself. I can’t help the stupid smile that covers my face.

Love watching my best friend eat.

AFTER SCHOOL.

“What do you think? Do I look alright?” Mom swirls in front of me and I smile. “Yes for the thousandth time mother, you look beautiful. Who’s visiting that’s got you so worried about how you look?”

Everything is honestly strange. She refuses to tell me who’s coming or what we’ll be doing. She’s in a red gown that looks too formal for just a friend's visit and her hair is done. Whatever is happening, it’s clearly important to her.

“Okay good. You look beautiful too. That’s enough. We should—“ She’s interrupted by the sound of our doorbell and she does a small excited jump.

“That must be them. Come on. Behind me. “ She orders as she leads the way while I do as I’m told.

She opens the door, and I stand confused at the sight of James and his father. What the hell is happening?

“Come on in. “ Mom ushers them in with a big smile and they step in while she closes the door.

James is dressed in a black and white formal suit just like his dad but his hair remains messy on his head. That doesn’t make him any less hot in that suit though. If anything, it aids his hotness.

James immediately moves to my side. “I don’t know what’s happening either. I didn’t realize it was your place until we got here. Dad said nothing. “ He explains, reminding me of the awkward situation we’ve got here.

“Mom refuses to say anything too. “

We both turn our gaze to the adults and I watch as Gabriel, James's father engulfs my mom in a hug. One that looks… tight? Since when did they get that close?

“Hey, Samantha. You look stunning. “

James and I make eye contact at those words.

Samantha? Since when do they use casual names?

They move away from each other and Mom returns to my side while James goes back to Gabriel’s side, with the same look of confusion I’m sure I have on.

After an exchange of greetings, we move into the living room. James and I take one couch while Mom and Gabriel take another.

“This is weird. Why do they look so intimate?“ James whisper.

“Shut up. “ I tell him and he chuckles.

There’s complete silence in the room as we wait for whatever this is about and Gabriel is the first to speak.

“Alright, kids. I’m sure you must be feeling surprised by what’s going on…” No doubt we do. “Don’t worry. Your curiosity will be satisfied once I announce what we have to say. “

James and I exchange another look as I shift in my seat.

I do not like this feeling. Whatever it is Gabriel is about to say, I don’t think it’s something I’d like.