Nobody Knows// Ross Lynch

seventeen

Lorena peaked out of her room on the top floor, looking around for any signs of the blonde boy who unfortunately continued to sweep her heart away, or for the curly dark haired friend who seemed to be avoiding her.

"Two can play at that game" she thought as she tippy toed around the hallway and entered the music room where Mateo was there waiting for her. 

Mateo's eyes lit up upon seeing the princess. He wrapped his arms around her and dug his head deep into the shape of her neck, taking in every breath of his close friend that he could. This happened too quickly for Lorena to be able to realize what was going on through his head. "He-He broke up with me," Mateo cried, rubbing his hands down her back. 

Her mouth fell widely, feeling the deep sulk of her heart to the pit of her stomach. "Your boyfriend broke up with you?" 

He nodded as he continued to hug her, pulling her up and embracing her in a hug in the air. "Please don't let go-" He began to mumble, just before the heel clicking approaching the room from down the hall entered. 

"Oh! Are we interrupting something?" Sofia's voice shocked them, startling them out of their hug  before landing their eyes on her mother and Mateo's grandfather. 

Mateo quickly turned around, wiping the tears from his cheeks with the back of his suit's sleeve. He cleared his throat quickly before turning around again and greeting the pair. "Good afternoon, Sofia. Hello grandfather." 

Lorena watched as Mateo's Adam's apple struggled to move his emotions down his throat. His grandfather bowed at Lorena without darting an eye toward's his grandson. 

"It's time, kids!" Sofia cheered, throwing a fist in the air out of excitement. 

The younger pair exchanged confused expressions as Sofia continued to cheer. "Time for what?" Lorena asked. 

"Time for you public debut of course!" Mateo's grandfather answered as Sofia clapped her hands together. "Your citizens are waiting for you!"

Lorena placed her arms up in surrender, guarding herself from her mother. "Woah, woah, woah. Are you serious, mami? We told you we weren't ready to do that yet."

"Grandfather, please," Mateo pleaded out. "We need more time." 

Mr. DeLeon placed his hand out, silencing his grandson as he began to speak. "Now, now, son. This was part of our deal, remember?" 

Lorena shot a look of confusion over to her friend, rising one of her eyebrows as she leaned in closer to him. "What the heck is he talking about?" 

Mateo ignored her, continuing to beg his grandpa. "It's not as simple, Sir. You have to give us more time!" 

"Oh, please! Stop this nonsense, the both of you! You have an interviewed scheduled with the press in exactly one hour. I suggest you both start worrying about what you are going to say, instead of worrying about how ready you both are. This is not some school romance or anyone's perfect movie scene. This is the real world. The royal world. Put on your adult shoes and meet us down stairs in exactly 45 minutes. Do not be late!" Sofia scolded them before storming out of the room with Mr.DeLeon on her arm. 

Lorena closed the door behind them before running a stressful hand through her curls. "Is this seriously happening right now?! I can't- I can't go out there! Ross is going to think we are actually a couple!" 

She threw herself down onto one of the couches, putting her hand over her head and closing her eyes. "He's going to think our kiss mean't nothing." 

"And my boyfriend is going to think I somehow went straight over the course of the last few months," Mateo sighed, sulking down next to her. "Wait a minute... Did you say ... kiss?"