Taking Chances | Marco Peña (On hold)

Chapter 12

Talking To Strangers - Maisie Peters

Babe, if you knew, even half of a clue what I'm telling these strangers in every bar, every bus stop, every car. They talk 'bout the news, I just talk about you.

"Lita! When you're done fixing your dress for the hundredth time, help me with dinner!" My mom's voice was heard from the kitchen to my room.

"I know! Just a few minutes, I'll be right there!"

I have been checking myself in the mirror for what felt like hours and hours making sure I look perfect and presentable. Today is now Saturday, Marco is gonna be here soon. Me freaking out is probably an understatement.

Am I overdressed? Is this too formal? Or is this dress too bright? Does my hair look messy? Did I do my makeup too much? Should I just change again?

"Lita! I-"

"Okay, I'm coming!" I scoffed, I gave myself one last look and quickly fixed my hair before running out the door.

Entering the kitchen, the smell of roasted chicken started entering my nose, I knew it was my mom's cooking. I just hope she doesn't burn it like last time.

Mama was smiling proudly when she peeled her eyes from the stove to me, her eyes traveled up from my hair to my shoes. "You look nice, dear." However, she scrunched up her face. "Too nice. Is there someone else coming to dinner?"

"What? No. It's just Marco coming, why do you think that?"

She didn't bother to answer my question and mumbled out words I couldn't hear to herself until she gasped, then a smile took over. "Are you trying to impress him?"

Surprised flash on my face. "Mama, no! No way I am trying to impress a guy."

"Explains you have been looking yourself in the mirror for what felt like centuries, yeah I believe you." She walked away to the counter to continue cooking.

My jaw dropped at her sarcasm. "I was just making sure that I look okay, is that wrong?"

"Darling, I have been in your shoes before, don't think that I don't know a single thing of what you're going through right now." She answered easily and with that, she clapped off her hands before walking back to me with her hands on her hips. "You like him."

I blink, taken aback by the words slipping from her mouth. I tried to say out loud that it was not true, I didn't like him but somehow my mind just didn't want to correct her. Instead, I just changed the subject. "Did you take your medicine today, mama?"

I expected her to grab her spatula and chase me with it around the house for saying that, but all she did was smile and hummed a chuckle. "Deny it all you want, Lita. But one day you're going to realize it." She stated before walking away once again. "Oh! And help me bring out those plates. Aaron and Ben are gonna be here soon."

I gulped, repeating her words back into my mind, I don't like him right? Pft, naur him? Impossible.

Right?

I snapped out of my train of thoughts and shook off my worries and moved my legs to help my mom.

-

After some time, Mom finished cooking and went upstairs to get ready for dinner. I was busy preparing the meals and checking the mirror back and forth to make sure not one flaw was seen. My outfit wasn't flashy or risky enough to draw attention to me or make me uncomfortable. It was subtle, yet cute and casual. I love it.