"How've you been? I'm so excited we get to spend time together!" Veronica squeals as we enter a small Japanese restaurant. The waiter seats us in a booth and luckily Veronica slides in beside me before Vince gets the chance.
"I've been good. The family is good. Everyone really misses you!" He smiles at her from across the table. The waiter takes our drink order and hands us our menus. I scan mine abruptly before settling on teriyaki steak with rice and mixed veggies. Yum!
"I miss you guys so much!" Veronica says ecstatically. "I get to come home in a little while for thanksgiving and then for Christmas!"
"By Christmas, Cali will still be a lot warmer than here." He chuckles and I furrow my eyebrows.
"If you're from California, why do you have an accent?" I ask Vince, probably a little too blunt.
"Ya see, when I was seven and she was four, our parents split up. My dad wanted to stay in Italy and my mom wanted to move to the states. Therefore, they divorced and my mom took my sister and dad was left with me until I was old enough to choose where I wanted to be and I chose to be with Veronica and my mother. But we basically spend the entire summer in Italy with my dad." He explains and I nod. Before I can ask another question, the waiter brings our drinks and asks for our orders. We all order and a brief moment of silence falls over us.
"So, if you don't mind me asking, why is your accent so thick but Veronica's is barely noticeable?" I ask curiously.
"Since I spent more time in Italy, my accent was able to develop more and thicker than Veronica's because for one she was so young and for two, she was in America." He smiles at Veronica and I. The waiter brings our food out and my taste buds go wild as I scarf down my wonderful food. The steak is so tender and the veggies are perfectly cooked.
"So, Chloe, tell me about yourself." Vince smiles and I return it.
"Um what do you want to know?"
"How disgusting is my sister?" He laughs and Veronica glares at him from across the table.
"Um she's actually not. She just has a ton of shoes, and clothes...and shoes." I laugh and Veronica smirks.
"Shoes are a girls best friend!" She says in a princess kinda voice.
"Okay serious question, are you taken?" He winks at me and I can feel my cheeks turning red as I stab at the food on my plate with my fork.
"Wow, very subtle." Veronica speaks in monotone.
"What? I'm only curious." Vince smirks at me and I can feel my throat closing up. Why does this always happen? I don't understand.
"It's complicated," I admit. Why is he even interested in me? Why are any of the guys who flirt with me interested in me? Or even if they're not, why do they act like it?
"Mom, I don't want to go. I'm not pretty like the other girls!" I throw myself on my bed, trying not to cry. My mom sits down beside me and pets my back.
"Chloe! You're beautiful!" My mother assures me but I just shake my head.
"You have to say that! You're my mom!" I mumble into the pillow and she brushes her fingers through my hair.
"That's definitely not true, baby. Look at me," she pauses for a moment, thinking of what her speech will be. "You have so many amazing qualities. You're pretty and you have a great personality. You love scary movies and can skateboard and you have a ton of traits that boys adore. I don't know why you're so insecure, honey."
"Because, all the girls at school are really tall and gorgeous and tan and blue eyed, blonde Barbies that all the boys want. Boys never pay attention to me. I'm too large and I'm plain with my brown hair and green eyes. Not to mention my disgusting metal mouth." I scoff.
"Everything you said is one giant lie. You're so beautiful, Chloe. Listen, how 'bout we look through your closet and find a perfect dress and you can take Josh as your date to the dance. That sounds like a good idea to me!" She exclaims, trying t remain positive.
"Oh yeah, mom. Let the freak and the flaming male go to the school dance together! We definitely will fit in then!" I roll my eyes. I don't mean to sound ungrateful toward her advice but she has no idea what occurs at my school.
"Hey, you said no one knows that Josh is gay yet. Besides, this is your first high school dance! You need to go! It will be a great experience!"
Long story short, I finally let my mom talk me into going to the school dance with Josh. I wore this black tight strapless dress and rather tall heels. She did my hair and make up and I admit that I thought I looked pretty decent. When I arrived at the dance, everyone was staring at me and even a few guys offered to dance with me but I felt like they were just treating me different because I was wearing a dress and make up. I was invisible before that dance and I wasn't going to let them use me.
A while after the dance, my mom decided that I needed to go see a therapist and explain why I felt the way that I did. At first I despised Mr. Drawn, but then I began to grow on him and he actually helped me a lot and shaped me into the person I am today. Sure, I still have my insecure days, but doesn't everyone?
"Chloe? You kinda zoned out. You good?" Veronica nudges me with her elbow, knocking me out of my thoughts and flashback.
"Yeah! I'm good." I smile at her and Vince. "What did you say, Vince?"
"Oh, I asked why it was complicated."
"Um, well," I start to tell the story of Ethan and I but Veronica interrupts.
"Vince, don't pry into her personal life." She snaps slightly. Vince rolls his eyes at his sister's tone.
"Okay, I'm sorry. New question: favorite band?" He asks, digging into his meal. I think about my answer long and hard before choosing.
"Well, I'm very fond of a lot of bands actually but I guess my favorite as of now is Fall Out Boy." I smile at him, taking a bite of my rice.
"Great choice! Do you like Bring Me The Horizon?" Vince asks.
"Yeah! They're really good." I admit, taking a sip of my drink.
"I like Taylor Swift!" Veronica squeals. Vince and I make a disgusted look at one another before erupting into laughter. "What?!"
"Taylor Swift? You're the definition of a white girl." Vince chuckles and I nod my head in agreement.
"My skin is rather tan, thank you!" She pouts and Vince and I laugh once more.
"Alright, alright, no need for the sass. Is everyone finished?" Vince speaks up, looking over our plates. Veronica and I nod. We go to pay and exit the restaurant.
We get back to the dorm finally and Vince throws his bag in the corner of our room. "Better not make a mess." Veronica challenges him and he rolls his eyes at her.
"Yes, mother." He retorts. Ah, sibling love. How sweet.
"So what do you guys do all day?" Vince asks as he plops down on my bed.
"We go to class and work and hang out with friends. That's Chloe's bed, by the way." Veronica places her shoes under her bed and Vince looks up at me.
"You don't mind, do you bellissimo?" His accent coats the air and I smile at him.
"No, I don't mind. What does that mean?"
"Beautiful." He smirks at me and I nod, trying not to blush. This is flattering and all but shouldn't Veronica have a problem with her brother hitting on her younger, best friend who is in the middle of a messy relationship right now?
"Thank you," I say politely. I look around for a place to sit and Vince takes my hand before I can walk over to the bean bag chair.
"You can sit with me. I won't bite unless you ask," he smirks once more and I chuckle.
"Flattering." I reply flatly. I sit down in the bean bag chair and turn on the t.v.
Vince is gonna need to learn how to calm his dick if he's going to live here for the week.
YOU ARE READING
Not So Secret
Teen Fiction*Dirty Little Secret Sequel* They've been through thick and thin; had several fights and mishaps. But they've always gotten over them, right? Until now. What'll happen when going to two different colleges? Will Chloe and Ethan be able to stay toget...
