Five Choices

IV

Jersey Luck

Chocolate sprays over my hands and I grin. I dig into my chocolate covered waffle some more and then hand my mom some plain waffles. It turns out mom is sick and cant move around that much. She's got a stomach bug. So Im taking care of her for as long as I can before I go to school in twenty minutes. I asked her to stay home, and she said no. 

"America, are you excited about finishing your first week in school today?"

I stop digging into my waffles and turn to her. "What?"

"Todays Friday, and you started Monday. So it will be an official week since you started school in the Pacifico Vultures." She says in a slow voice. I stare at her until something clicks.

Friday.

Friday night football.

With Kyle.

Oh God. I totally forgot. It's not that big of a deal, but I still cant believe I forgot. I never forget things.  

I quickly swallow my waffle bites than take a big gulp of milk. 

"Mom, Im not going to be home tonight." I tell her. She looks up with a sad face. I cant believe I would go to the football game instead of helping my sick mother. Maybe I should stay home. I mean she always helps me, and I feel like I never show any appreciation towards her and this is my chance to help my independent mom. "You know what, scratch that. I'll be home as soon as I can to help you." I grin at her.

She narrows her eyes and me and frowns.

"Where would you be going?"

"To my friend Kyles football game, but the seasons just starting and he has many other games." I choke out. I drink more of my white milk and take my plate to the sink. 

"America honey, you can go to the game. I don't want you to be here helping me when you can be having fun at a game with your new friends." I turn to her and clear her spot as well. 

"No mom, Im taking care of you."

"Your father can do that. I want you to enjoy your last year of highschool. And I want you to go to the after party as well."

After party?

Oh, I forgot about that as well. How would she know about that? But yet again my mom is a gossip queen. If I do something at all it's likely she'll hear about it before I even get home.

"No."

"Yes," she snaps back like she was ready for my no.

"No."

"Yes."

"No."

"Yes."

I go to say no again when I get cut off by the doorbell ringing. I look at my mom questionably. 

"Expecting anyone?"

"No. You?"

I thin my lips and raise my eyebrows while shaking my head no. 

"I'll get it, you go lay on the couch." I demand my mom. She frowns but goes to the couch. 

I walk to the white front door and open it.

My scream of surprise gets swallowed when a fabric gets pulled over my head. When my head pops through I look at Kyle in surprise.

"Surprise." He grins. I shake my head and look down at the thing he put on me. It's a jersey. Its number is 2, and its black and gold. It takes me a moment to realize it his jersey. From the video I saw in Instagram, and the colors, I know its his.