let's light up the sky ☆

Chapter 24

"How about..." she said in a sing-song voice, stretching out each word to reflect her train of thought. "This one!"

I scoffed and shook my head. "Mom, he's just taking me to the skating rink. And also we're gonna be with his folks. So I can afford to save the sluttiness for later."

Mom pouted. The half-lace crop top that she was holding joined the rest of the mess on the floor. "You got any ideas?"

I shuffled around for my black jeans on my bed. Right beside it was a multicolored top with a floral pattern and bell sleeves. I held one on top of the other to get my point across.

Mom shrugged. "Fair enough." I got dressed and she started picking up what was strewn around the floor. "Don't worry about... this. I made it, I'll clean it up."

I mouthed a silent "thank you." If I came home to this after a long day, I would burst into tears.

I had another half-hour or so before Cody and his parents came to pick me up. He was taking me on an old-fashioned skate date with a couple of his cousins from out-of-town. I was excited to have that cute little TV moment of holding my boyfriend's hand while he helps me keep my balance.

Mom finished sorting my clothes for their hangers later. "Want me to help you do your hair?"

I ran my fingers through the half-curly mess that it had become in my sleep. "Please."

I let Mom work her magic and figure out what was best for me. She tackled some of the worst lazy curls, as she calls them when my hair gives up on its Mediterranean roots. She popped the lazy curls into little braids that met in the middle in a half-ponytail. She finished it off with a red ribbon matching the roses on my shirt. "You're gonna knock him dead," she said confidently.

I smiled from ear to ear. Sometimes my mom knows what works for me better than I know myself.

Maggie started barking downstairs before we heard the doorbell ring. I saw Cody's dad's Ford Explorer idling in the driveway. "Let him know they're all welcome to come in," Mom said. 

I stepped outside before Cody reached the door. "Do you wanna stay for a few minutes?" I asked. I sarcastically whispered, "Mom wants to brag about her hosting skills."

"It's all good," he responded with a brush of his hand. He waved for the rest of his family and followed me inside. He whistled, thinking I wouldn't notice. "You look great today, babe."

I looked over my shoulder and winked. "As always."

"Cody!" Mom greeted him in the living room. She gave him a tight hug and almost looked tiny compared to him. "It's great to see you again."

"Hey, Mrs. M."

Mom gave her best impression of a suburban mom chuckle. "Sweetie. Just call me Sofia."

Cody's family followed behind. Kathleen carried his toddler cousin, who looked like a little cherub with her pink cheeks and curly pigtails. His dad Robert ushered in Skylar and the other two cousins: a boy about Skylar's age and a girl in mine and Cody's grade. 

"Make yourselves comfortable! I'm steeping some tea in the kitchen and it'll be ready for us soon."

"Take your time," Kathleen said. "By the way, Anoush, this is Lily" – she adjusted the toddler in her arms for emphasis – "this is Lucas, and this is Ava."

I waved shyly. "How are you liking SoCal?"

"It's okay," Ava answered. "I thought there'd be more celebrities wandering around."

"Oh, they're out there, you just gotta know where to look. Go to the Pacific Palisades or Malibu on a good day. It's fun when you can prank the paparazzi into pretending you're one of them." On a second look, if Ava wanted to, she could pretend to be a young Winona Ryder and no one would know the difference.