Chemistry

08

Alessa frowned at the dress on her bed and held it up to herself as she looked in the mirror.

"Abuela, don't you always say boys are always looking?" Alessa asked.

Her abuela, Isla, nodded. "Sí, mija, but this is a party. You should look your best."

"It's a high school party."

"A fiesta is a fiesta. Now, quickly. Get ready. The boy who likes you is coming to pick you up."

Alessa huffed. "Why does everyone assume Peter likes me?"

Isla smirked lightly. "I said no names, mija. Do you like Peter?"

"No, we're just friends."

"Ah, but not in his eyes. Come. Get ready."

Alessa put the dress on and smiled. It wasn't too fancy but it wasn't super casual either. It was balanced, as all things should be.

Isla knocked on the door and Alessa said, "Come in."

She entered and smiled. "Mija, te ves hermosa."

(My daughter, you look beautiful.)

"Gracías, abuela."

A knock on the front door sounded and the two turned to the sound.

Isla opened the door to reveal Peter who asked, "Uh, is Lessa ready? Because we really should get going and-"

Alessa walked towards the door and nodded. "I'm ready."

Peter smiled and stammered, "Uh you look, you um, you look pretty."

Alessa returned his smile. "Thank you. We should go or we'll be late."

"Uh, yeah. I'll have her back at a decent hour."

Isla smirked and winked. "I know. Enjoy yourselves, but not too much."

As they left the apartment, Peter said, "My aunt is taking us and Ned. Um, since you know, we can't drive."

Alessa nodded. "That's good. You might want to drink some water. You're looking flushed."

As Peter stared at her, he mumbled, "I wonder why."

"What?"

"Uh, nothing."

Alessa stared at him a moment and nodded. "Okay."

May drove Ned, Alessa and Peter to Liz's house. Exciting, upbeat music poured out from the house. May slowed her car and talked to the three.

"House party in the suburbs," May commented. "Oh, I remember these. Kind of jealous."

"It'll be a night to remember," Ned said.

May laughed. "Ned, some hats wear men. You wear that hat."

"Yeah, it gives me confidence."

"Hmm."

Peter was looking out the window, removed from the merry conversation taking place beside him. "This is a mistake." He said to May, "Hey, let's just go home."

"Oh, Peter. I know. I know it's really hard trying to fit in with all the changes your body's going through. It's flowering now."

The absurd, out-of-place speech made Peter chuckle while Alessa's eyes widened and she covered her mouth to hide her laughter.

"Uh-huh," Peter replied.

May said to Ned and Alessa, "He's so stressed out lately."

"I wonder why," Alessa mumbled with a light smirk.