Phase

Pancakes

"Girls!" My mom's voice rang through the apartment, "I'm home."
I pulled back from Alex; I couldn't risk mom walking in and seeing us in each other's arms.
"Better go see her," I said.
Alex nodded, following me into the kitchen.
"Hi Alex," mom greeted her, "I hope you slept well?"
"Yeah," Alex smiled, "Great."
"Do you like pancakes?" Mom asked.
I sighed. She was trying to act like a perfect suburban mom. It was sickening.
"Yeah, I like pancakes," Alex said politely.
"Well, I've been told I make very good ones."
I cringed at that statement as mom started getting out ingredients.
"You girls mix up the batter," she said, "while I go and get freshened up."
We started weighing the ingredients. I opened the bag of flour and a huge cloud of it burst up in my face.
Alex looked at me, trying to hide her sniggering. I scooped up a small handful of flour and threw it at her.
"No!" She exclaimed, laughing and chucking some back at me.
I gasped, then dabbed some butter on her nose.
"Touché," she smirked. She put her hand on the back of my head and touched her nose to mine, smearing the butter on my face too, then she turned it into a kiss. I got caught up in it, wrapping my arms around her waist. Then I remembered my mom could walk in at any moment and stopped.
I looked at her and laughed, "I like what you've done with your makeup today."
"Oh my god," she sighed.
"What's wrong?"
"You still look beautiful with flour in your hair and butter all over your face."
"So do you," I smiled.
Mom walked in and shook her head, "oh for heaven's sake, look at the state of you two." I could tell she was secretly thrilled that I was messing around and having fun.
She finished making the pancakes and we all sat down at the table.
Alex spoke up after a few minutes, "I was telling Tara that she should come and meet some of my friends from my old school with me on Saturday."
I knew what she was doing. If mom got that idea into her head she'd make me go.
I was right.
"That is a great idea!" Mom exclaimed delightedly.
I looked at Alex. "See?" She said smugly, "I told you, it'll be fun."