Helping the Girl Get the Guy

Seven ♤ Crossing the Line

The moment I reached the front porch, I, once again, struggled in finding the house key inside my bag. I kept on rummaging when all of a sudden I found paper bills inside. It was strange. I usually keep my money inside my wallet, where it belongs. When the door swung open without me opening it, it was then that I realized that Luke returned to me the money which I placed on the table as the payment for the yogurt. How secretive! What else can this boy do? I smiled at his small thoughtful action although I felt guilty at the same time for letting his spend some money on me and not letting me pay him back.

My mother appeared, shaking her head. "Why are you smiling?" she asked in an instant.

"Nothing." I replied. She snapped me out my thoughts so gave her a pokerface.

"Come in, I prepared food." she commanded, and so I did.

Upon entering the house, I noticed something weird. There were several paper bags on the couch but I did not bother to ask why. My mother had probably received some gifts from the students that she was teaching.

I made it to the dining area without being questioned on how my day had went. Or so I thought. "Is there anything that you would like to tell me?" My mother said the moment she sat on the chair opposite to where I was. We were facing each other, making me more tense. I stared blankly at the tuna paella she made for me. It looked delicious, but the situation at hand made my stomach twist. My legs started to shake, and I began to stutter. "There -is... a... an..." I stopped in mid-sentence.

My mother crossed her arms as she leaned back. "Exchange student program, am I right?"

I sighed and nodded.

"Why did you keep it from me? If that student council president did not-"

"Wait, Luke mentioned it to you?" I interrupted. My eyes were wide in shock.

"Yes, and I'm surprised that you know him. First name basis," she said, raising an eyebrow at me. "Anyway, he said that it is an opportunity that you should not miss," my mother continued.

"I'm speechless."

"So am I."

"How did you know?" I asked innocently.

"I saw the Luke guy earlier at our doorstep. He was looking for you but I told him you already left," she said, making me wonder why Luke never mentioned that he passed by earlier. "Where the hell did you go young lady?" she asked, and she seemed mad with a hint of disappointment in her tone. Luke probably visited when I was (supposedly) on my way to the field where Nathan practices.

"I was with Luke." I bit my bottom lip and when my mother was giving me a stern look already, I added, "We fixed our papers. We had a slight misunderstanding though. I told him to wait for me in school. But he did not tell me he came here." It was partly true since we did not fix our papers but bought yogurts instead.

"I guess it's best for you to know that..."

"Know what?"

"That everything's all set. Permission granted." she said the words I had been dying to hear ever since I found out about the exchange student program. My eyes were wide in awe. I tried to hide my excitement but it seems like my smile would involuntarily reappear. "He dropped few clothes too, saying they were from school."

"Yes, yes. They were probably from school." I replied, even though I have a gut feeling that they weren't. "Thank you so much mom." I stood from my seat and wrapped my arms around my mother's shoulder from behind.

She patted my arm, and said, "Just be sure you will not do anything reckless. I kind of like that Luke guy, he seemed nice." Likewise mom.

"Anyway, he promised to take care of you so I told him my set of rules. Are you listening?"