The Prince and the Bookworm

Chapter 5

Naturally, I ended up winning the overall game. Dallas kept on complaining that I was a cheater, but I tuned him out.

"People are going to be jealous of the best." I started, giving him a sideways look. "That's just the way it is."

"You're not the best!" He protested, throwing his hands up in the air. "I demand a rematch." He said, clearly annoyed with my antics. I stood to my feet, patting his head to make him a little more steamed up.

"Good luck getting one." I hopped off to the kitchen to see my mom, thoroughly enjoying Dallas growling and heavy stomps into the kitchen. My mom was almost done with dinner by now. When she saw us enter, she gave a large smile, clearly unaware Dallas was quite fed up with me.

"Sadie, would you mind getting the corn out of the microwave?" My mom asked as she took the noodles off the burner. I wanted to reply with a snippy yes, but instead just complied, walking slowly to the microwave. I instantly noticed the glass bowl the corn was in. It was crystal clear with glass flowers all over it. My mom said it was her favorite because it was a gift from my dad. I often had to resist the urge to throw the bowl across the kitchen. How was I supposed to forget my dad if my mom kept around all the things that reminded me of him? I pulled the bowl from the microwave and set it down on the counter a little harder than needed. Me and Dallas then sat at the table, discussing how unfair our teachers were. I was complaining about Mr. Peters, my history teacher, when my mom brought all the food to the table. Dallas had already helped me get all the dishes and silverware, so the table was set. I had refilled Dallas' water cup and put some milk in my own cup. My mom got her own drink, and soon we were all putting heaps of spaghetti on our plates. The table was silent except for the clinks of forks hitting our plates. I actually didn't mind the silence, but it always made my mom uncomfortable. Someone needed to be talking for her to relax. So, of course, she started a conversation. One I wish she had never started.

"So are you two in any classes together?" My mom asked, taking a drink from her cup.

"If lunch and homeroom count I guess we do." I replied blandly, shuffling my feet under the table.

"How did you get to know each other then?" My mom pressed further, and I could feel embarrassment ease its way into my cheeks, making them a soft pink color.

"We don't really know each other." I countered, shrugging my shoulders slightly.

"I came into your bookstore last night and we just kind of hit it off." Dallas commented nonchalantly. I guess that was sort of the truth. But it also would make my mom want to dig even deeper. And that she did.

"Interesting. So are you guys-you know?" My mom said, pausing slightly and gesturing between the two of us with her hands. Oh, this was not happening.

"Mom! No, we're just fri-" I started stammering and holding out the r in a weird voice. "Two people who hang out." I finish, leaving a really awkward note in the air.

"Oh," My mom said, trying to keep a smile from creeping onto her face. Why must my awkwardness amuse people? "I see."

The rest of the dinner went by okay I guess. My mom asked Dallas about his hobbies and he said he was really into football (obviously) but decided to quit his senior year to try other things. He also said recently he had been into art, and just running in general. He also mentioned he liked to read. My mom then started chattering about my love of reading and Dallas just smiled politely and nodded in agreement every once in a while. She then started asking him about college options.

"I um, I guess I'm not sure where I want to go. Or, if I want to go." He replied, a softness to his voice that suggested he really wasn't sure what he wanted to do.