RED

14| red

ELIJAH

I don't know if there was something in the food or what, but I was suddenly feeling sick to my stomach as both my mom and sister began talking about boys and finding suitors. I reached for the drink on the table, a refreshing glass of lemonade with a hint of mint, and gulped it down quickly, feeling the cool liquid slide down my throat and momentarily distract me from the discomfort in my stomach. I set the glass down with a thud, growing agitated by the turn of conversation.

"Just what I need," I thought to myself, "a bunch of arranged dates and awkward encounters." I rolled my eyes, trying to appear nonchalant, but my mom and sister were too caught up in their excitement to notice my discomfort.

"Oh, Nadia, you'll love him!" my sister gushed, "He's tall, dark, and handsome, and he comes from a great family!"

I raised an eyebrow, skeptical. "That sounds like a real Prince Charming," I said, my voice dripping with sarcasm.

But my mom and sister just laughed, undeterred. "You'll see, dear," my mom said, patting my hand. "We'll find you someone who will make your heart skip a beat."

I sighed, feeling like I was in for a long night of listening to their matchmaking schemes. But just then, Elijah spoke up, his voice low and smooth. "I think Nadia can handle her own love life, don't you?" he said, his eyes sparkling with amusement.

I felt a surge of gratitude towards him, and my mom and sister looked taken aback, but then they just laughed and continued their conversation, undeterred. I shook my head, smiling wryly to myself. It was going to be a long night.

Elijah's father, Mr. Thompson, leaned in, his voice taking on a conspiratorial tone. "Elijah, my boy, remember, women love a man who is confident and composed. They can't resist a man who knows how to keep his cool, no matter the situation."

I looked at him. "I didn't ask for your advice and neither do I need it. Besides, you of all people shouldn't be giving advice," I said, gesturing to my mother. "I wasn't aware that you finally became a father,"

With that, I got up from my seat, walked over to the other side of the table where they were chatting, and interrupted their conversation. "Mom, it's getting late. We have school tomorrow and Nadia needs to get home," I said, trying to sound as polite as possible. Vicky rolled her eyes good-naturedly. "Don't be such a party pooper, just a little longer?" she asked, but I shook my head. "It's okay, I'll be leaving," Nadia said, smiling warmly. "I had a really good time. It was nice meeting you, Ms. Maria," she added, and they exchanged hugs and air kisses.

By the time I had reached the car, Nadia was only just coming out of the house, her smile still plastered on her face. She was wearing a beautiful yellow dress that complemented her skin tone perfectly, and she pulled the material closer to her body as she made her way towards me, likely due to the chilly evening air. I turned up the heater in the car as I watched her approach, and once she reached the passenger side, I unlocked the door from the front. She uttered a small thank you as she jumped in, her eyes sparkling with gratitude.

"So, where to?" I asked, trying to sound casual, and she looked at me quizzically. "What do you mean? I'm going home, aren't I?" she replied, her brow furrowed in confusion. I chuckled. "That's all clear, but you didn't give me your address," I pointed out, and I could see the realization dawn on her face as she blinked twice, a habit I had noticed she did quite often.

As we drove through the quiet streets, I decided to break the silence. "So how was  the conversation between you and my mom?" I asked, the words leaving my mouth before I could even think - which usually doesn't happen.

She laughed. "It was interesting. I never pictured you to be the type of guy who's interested in that sort of thing," she admitted, and I shook my head, I was not. She was right.