Possessed

Chapter 5: The Discussion

“So how was school?” my mom inquired as we both ate our dinner at our table.

“Fine,” I replied nonchalantly, “I made a few friends.”

“Really? Who are they?”

I looked at her, surprised, “Mom, you wouldn’t know them.”

“I guess not,” she shook her head, “What are their names?”

“Well, there’s Aaron Sanders, a boy from our class and…,” I paused, struggling to remember the girl’s name. Something with E. Then it clicked, “Elaine. Elaine Rose. She’s in my class too. Odette introduced me to them.”

“That’s kind of her. Maybe you could have her over for dinner tomorrow?” she glanced at me, chewing her food.

I nodded, “Sure, I’ll ask her.”

“What’s this about the boy? Aaron, did you say? How does he look? In your league?” she wriggled her eyebrows suggestively.

“Mom!” I cried, my cheeks flushing red. I couldn’t believe that my own mom was teasing me. Even though I’d rather die than admit it out loud, but Aaron did seem like a nice guy. Perhaps we could get together some time.

My mom chuckled lightly.

“Tell me about your love life in high school,” I requested eagerly in an attempt to change the subject to something less…..embarrassing.

“I used to date a lot when I was in high school. Nothing serious, Aries,” she said, looking at me, “Until I found your dad, that is.”

“Mom, how was your first kiss?” I asked suddenly. I was truly curious. I had never dated in my life and so, hadn’t had my first kiss yet.

“My first kiss...,” my mom leaned back in her chair, closing her eyes as if she was remembering those younger years of her life, “was with my crush. And it was magical. Yeah, that’s the word for it.”

Ha! Because you were pretty, mom. And your crush liked you back as well and asked you out. She opened her eyes and resumed her dinner, a slight smile still lingering on her lips.

“Mom?”

“Mmm?” she answered absent-mindedly.

 “Do you like the new house?”

She turned to me, her smile faltering at my question, “Yes, even though I get exhausted trying to arrange everything in a house as big as this, I actually like it. It’s very spacious and comfortable, don’t you think?”

When I didn’t answer right away, she frowned, “Why, sweetie, you don’t like it?”

I shrugged, “It’s okay, but a little too spooky for my liking. My bedroom, however, is an exception.”

My mom laughed pleasantly, “Really, Aries? Do you think the house is haunted?”

“No,” I huffed, a little annoyed.

Why does everyone keep on assuming that?