Grace.

Chapter 11.

I got back home that afternoon and my mom was home. She had just got off the phone with one of her patients parents. I dropped my bag down on the carpet and sat next to her. She was sitting in the lounge.
"The perks of being a doctor," she chuckled. "How are you, sweetheart? How was school?" She asked.
Her voice was so soft and her touch has so soothing. It made me feel warm and fuzzy. I moved closer to her and finally did something that I'd been trying so hard to resist: I laid my head on her chest. We were both surprised for a second but after she pulled me in closer, it felt so natural again.
"I've missed you, mija. I've missed this," she revealed.
"Really?"
"Yes."
"I've missed you too, Mamá." I sighed.
"What's wrong, bonita?"
I lifted my head up from her chest to look at her. Of course I had to hold both her hands because just like Ria said: "I needed to stop running away from her."
"Ria and I were talking the other day about us and she made me realize something," I began.
"Made you realize what?"
"That I've somewhat resented you, Mamá. Well, not you per say. What you did."
She sat up and turned her body towards me. I could tell she was confused and really worried about what I had just said.
"I don't want to sound selfish because I totally understand why you paid more attention to Gloria than you did to me. She was going through a rough time and she needed us. But I was still there too."
"Mija..."
"I just wanted you to come back to me like Dad always did. To remember that I existed. And I know you were there whenever you could be...but there's a reason why you and I don't really know each other. This is that reason."
"Oh, my baby."
Tears fell from her eyes and I hated seeing her like that. I didn't want to fight with her but I wanted to let her know what the problem between us was because I loved her. She was still my mother.
"And always know that I love you, Mamá. You mean the world to me. But I've really, really missed you."
"Grace, listen to me," she sniffed. "You're such an angel, I don't deserve you. What I did to you was so wrong and I'm hurt that I didn't even realize. I'm hurt that you had to actually tell me and after so long. I am deeply sorry, bonita."
"It's okay, Mamá."
"It is not. Gosh, I really do not deserve to call myself your mother. Look at you! You're an amazing, strong, matured young lady. To approach me the way that you just did. To still love me even after I practically abandoned you!"
"But you didn't abandon me. You just weren't there as much as I wanted you to be. Please don't hate yourself. I don't hate you. I've never stopped loving you."
"I'm so sorry, mija. I truly am. From the bottom of my heart...I am sorry."
I could feel my eyes water, so I pulled her in for a very long, tight hug. I hated myself for how terrible I made her feel.
"Okay, okay. Enough with the past. Can we discuss the future, please?" I smiled at her.
"Anything, bonita. What would you like to talk about?" She sniffed.
"I've been invited to a get-together thingy and I don't know what to wear," I explained.
"Thingy? What is the occasion?"
"I guess it's a tea party type of thing," I shrugged.
"I know just the thing." She smiled, finally.
She took my hand and pulled me to their bedroom. She seemed so excited too. We hadn't played dress up in a long time. Mom's closet was so big. It was filled with a ton of clothes and shoes and handbags. She opened it up and it didn't take too long for me to spot a dress that I absolutely loved!
"Why have you been hiding this one?!" I squealed, rushing to take the cute dress which hung on the rack.
It was emerald green, and had white puffy sleeves—short ones. It also had a white collar and it's material had a lace covering on top. It wasn't tight, and it sat right above my knees.
"¿Este vestido? Mi amor, this was my Sunday dress," she chuckled.
"Well, it is so pretty!" I gushed, because it really was.
"Try it on, then! Last time I wore it I was probably your age," she said, removing the dress from the hanger.
I slipped out of the dress I was wearing and put on the other one. I saw my mom's eyes grow larger than they naturally are. She must've been surprised at how perfectly it fit me.
"No way!" She chuckled. "It's like I'm looking at a younger version of myself!" She clasped both her hands to her mouth, shaking her head in disbelief.
"¿De verdad? You're kidding me, right?" I laughed.
"No! No really! You do! It's just that a picture to show you is too far away but I promise you, you do."
"That means I look pretty then!" I grinned.
"Come, take a look in the mirror."
She was right! I looked just like her. The eyes especially. I twirled in front of the mirror admiring how pretty I looked. Mamá came behind me and gave me a tight squeeze around my shoulders.
"You'll make all the boys in town go crazy," she smiled.
Boys...
She just reminded me of one boy who snuck his way into my mind and was refusing to leave. I didn't want to find myself thinking about him, but I did. Every second, minute and hour of the day. I couldn't even talk to mamá about it because I didn't even know where to begin.
"What's his name?" I heard her ask.
"Hmm? W-what?" I blinked.
"The boy you were thinking about right now. ¿Cómo se llama?"
She had a grin on her face that I didn't like. She took a seat on the bed and waited for my reply. I followed suit and took a seat very close to her.
"Talk to me, bonita," she pressed.
"I uh, I..."
I struggled to get the words out of my mouth because what was I going to say? Where was I going to start? I wasn't even sure how I was feeling and what I wanted.
"Está bien. You don't have to say anything now because I can see you're conflicted. So, whenever you're sure and ready to talk...you know where to find me," she comforted.
"Thank you for understanding. But know this, it's nothing serious, okay? I'm still a virgin and I'm still very much single!" I joked.
"Mija...even if it's not serious, I want you to feel free to talk to me. About anything."
"I will always remember that. But for now, I'm thirsty. Fancy a glass of wine?" I tested.
"I'm still your mother! But after our heart to heart...I think we can treat ourselves to a bottle," she smirked.
"I love you," I grinned.
I hurriedly got out of my new dress and went back into the one I was wearing. We headed downstairs and prepared some nachos for the wine we were about to indulge in. Well, you can guess how it went. Ria came back home and joined the party. Then dad too! It ended up being a family night and I enjoyed every second of it. Especially seeing dad a bit wasted.

The day for Nayeli's little get-together finally arrived and Naomi came over to help me get ready. It was so nice of her. Gloria was there as well, she was laying on my bed as she watched me get dressed.
"Why don't you wear that skirt?" She asked me, annoyed.
"Because it's too short, Ria. Besides I love this dress," I replied.
I twirled once again in my new beautiful dress in front of the mirror. Ria was kind enough to help me style my hair. Naomi sat on a chair next to me and just admired me. I put on some red lipstick and that's when Gloria sprung up from my bed and rushed out of the room.
"Where is she going?" Mimi whispered to me.
I shrugged and continued fixing myself. In a matter of seconds, she returned with a tiny box in hand.
"I bought these the other day but didn't really like them on me. They'd look perfect on you," she smiled.
They were really pretty Diamond earrings. I put them on and my look was complete.
"Edgar's here!" Naomi informed us.
At the sound of his name my heart raced but I ignored the feeling, whatever it was. I wasn't going to entertain it or him. That's what I told myself! Falling for him was a bad idea and it wasn't going to end well if I did. Taking a deep breath in and out, I grabbed my purse, gave Ria a quick peck on the lips and rushed out with Mimi.
Everything was going well, I had it all under control...until I saw him. Just standing there, outside his car. He was dressed horribly but his face and body made up for it. He looked nervous, so was I. One look at me and his jaw almost fell to the ground. I silently prayed that Mimi didn't notice. I think she didn't, but she did something far worse. I confidently walked up to him and it looked like he wasn't blinking. Was he okay?
I expected him to step aside and open the door for me but he just stood there! Staring at me!
"Edgar?!" I called out.
He blinked a few times and then bit the bottom of his lip. Subtly, not in a dramatic way.
"You...look absolutely beautiful," he managed to say.
Damn you, Edgar. Why? Why?! I could feel the electricity between us...I was standing two feet away from him. There was no way Naomi didn't suspect a thing. Because damn, Edgar. Why'd he have to always look at me like that? That...soft look in his eyes. How he tried so hard to stop himself from touching me. And when'd he get so tall and fit and...so damn attractive?! I was suddenly weak in the knees. But the longer I gazed into his eyes, somehow, I saw Lucy in them.
"I should take a picture of you two!" Naomi shouted out.
"What? Why?" I looked back at her, she was still standing by the door.
"Your colors are matching!" She lied.
"Navy blue and emerald green?" I quizzed, giving her a 'are you insane?' look.
"Yes!" She claimed, walking down with her phone in hand. "Go on!"
I moved to stand by him and he hugged me by my waist. I smiled and looked up to him with my hand on his chest.
"I need to come over to your place and burn down your entire wardrobe," I muttered to him.
He chuckled and then...snap! Mimi took the picture. I didn't see it because I was running late. We got into the car and Edgar drove us over to the Collins mansion. I had never been there before. Apparently not a lot of people had. For some reason, I felt nervous. I had no idea why I was invited over, but I guess I was about to find out.