My Cup of Tea

Chapter 4

Maria's POV

I finished up in the bathroom and put my hair into a messy braid to dry. Gathering my items and all of my dirty clothes, I make my way downstairs clad in my shorts, Harvard sweatshirt, and some crazy fuzzy socks that B got me back in the day. The group wasn't hard to find because they were louder than an elephant when it see's a mouse.

"Hey B, where's your laundry room?" All 3 pairs of eyes looked at me and despite being in a dimly lite room, I felt way to exposed.

"I'll take them don't worry about it Mia!" Before I could swipe her hand away, Beth grabbed my laundry pile and was off, leaving me with two very rowdy boys.

"Take a picture, it'll last longer." I rolled my eyes and gave them the sass they deserved for staring at me. Working at the smoothie shop back in my home taught me how to deal with all types of guys...well...I learned enough to fend off the pigs who are 17 and younger and living in that retched house taught me more survival skills for dealing with perverts more than anything. But, this group is solely a 17 or 18 year old boy and his younger brother, so sass will go a long way with these two.

While they're busy gaping at my openness, I plop down on the couch facing the TV. This is more comfortable than my bed back home. Well, home really isn't the right word, but there isn't a right word for a place like that. Next thing I know, instead of falling into a world of sleep about my McDreamy, I feel like the wind just got knocked out of me. Immediately my eyes flew open, and I see a set of big brown eyes boring into my soul with a hopeful outlook.

"Why do I have an 8 year old on my belly?" I raise my eyebrows at the child on top of me and then look to his older brother, but he's too busy avoiding my eyes. I look back at the little kid and prepare for the worst. He could be a little devil, you never know.

"I have some questions for you missy." Despite the real weight sitting on me, a huge one has been lifted off my shoulders. At least he sounds sincere and curious and not conniving and menacing. "What's you're name, where did you come from, how does Elizabeth know you, why are you here, and why was my brother making googly eyes at you at dinner???" As that last part came out, Aaron's head shot up and he was currently giving his younger brother the death stare. I attempted to answer without laughing too much.

"I am Maria Roseanne Cooper. I used to live in Provincetown, MA. Elizabeth is my best friend and we've know each other since we were born. And really? I didn't notice the googley eyes but now that you mention it, maybe you should ask your brother." I throw a look at Aaron and he looks as if the world is ending. Granted if the positions were flipped I would look about the same. Sass is pretty much all I have when talking to guys, other than that it's all stuttering and choking up. True story.

"Ok Rosie, but you forgot to answer one of the questions..." Please don't say it, please don't say it. "Why are you here?" Ok ok ok ok. Here we go Maria. Think on your feet. Think.

"She's here because I didn't want to tour colleges with your annoying brother all by myself." Beth said nonchalantly as she strolled in, picked up Eli from the waist and placed him on her lap as she sat down in a bean bag chair. Damn that was good. I throw B a thankful smile, knowing that I couldn't ruin Eli's young innocence with the violence of mean people.

Similar to dinner, I feel a pair of eyes burning holes in the side of my head, and as I turn I catch the brown eyes of Aaron. He seems to be studying my face, like he knows something is off. Eventually after a few minutes of Beth talking to Eli and us staring each other down, he shakes his head and engages in conversation. After a few more hours of talking, watching the boys game, and catching up the Beth, my body lets me know that it is most definitely time for bed.