Loss

CHAPTER 3

When we arrive at his house, and then just walk in the door, no greetings or anything. we walk in, and his dad, who happens to be the mayor, looks up from the kitchen. First at T, not smiling, then at me, and one comes across his face.

"Well, Tobias, why don't you introduce me to your friend!" his dad says.

"First off, dad," he says clenching his jaw while saying 'dad', "my name is T. And this is Cassandra."

"Oh Cassandra!" he says coming up to me and pulling me into a big bear hug. "I'm Marcus, you might know me as-"

"As the mayor." T said isync with Marcus.

"Well Cassandra," Marcus started, "will you be staying for dinner?"

"Um.." I didn't know how to answer. " I...uh...."

"Do you want to?" T asks me turning with a goofy smile.

"Um, sure. just, uh, could I call my mom really quick? like, uh, outside?"

"Yes of course." Marcus said.

"Oh, um, I hope it would be a burden that I'm in a tank top and pajama bottoms."

"Please." Marcus started saying. "it's no burden at all."

"Ok." I say, sounding a little giggly. "I'll be right back." I say as I point at the door.

I walk out and dial my moms number. it rings about three times, then she picks up.

Mom(through the phone): hi sweetie, where are, I'm at the church.

Me: oh you can go home. I'm out with a, uh, a uh, a friend?

Mom: a friend with a question mark?

Me: Yeah, you know, a "friend"

Mom: oh tell me all about this new friend. is he cute? he is tall? he is he skinny?

Me: Ok tiger, slow down. I'm just having a dinner with a boy and his father. Theres nothing more. I'll be home before 10. I love you.

Mom: okay, I love you too. See you later.

I hang up. I turn around to see T waiting for me. I blush a little at his still, big smile. I notice how nice it is, his smile. I smile back.

"So just a friendly dinner?" he said.

"Oh god, I was really hoping you didn't hear that."

"Don't worry, you'll be back by 10."

"Thanks." I said.

I walked back in with him, and dinner was on the table, set and ready. I look up at his dad in total aww.

"You made this?"

"What a guy can't cook?"

"No this is beautiful. I feel underdressed. I feel bad now."

"Please, it's fine."

After that I say down, and began eating.

Most of the dinner was silent. Marcus and T making small talk about the day. I didn't focus to much on that because the food I was eating was amazing.

"So Cassandra, are you from around here?"

"Oh, me? sorry, um, no I'm not. I'm, um, actually from California."

"Really? What was life like there?"

"Um......." I started, I didn't want to talk about it because it would bring tears. "I, uh, don't really talk about."

"It's a bad part of her life, Marcus." T said. Aww, he defended me! No, that's wrong, he can't like me......

"Oh. Well I'm sorry for bringing it up then. do you have any siblings?"

"Uh, yeah I do. I have two brothers, and a sister."

"Are your parents together?"

"Yes, they are."

"You know Cassandra," T interrupted, "you don't always have to be so proper."

"I think it's nice." Marcus said.

"So, are you in school Cassandra?" T asked me.

"No, independent study. I don't usually associate with people." T scooted over, then slide his plate down. "Hey! I'm not that weird!" I said punching his arm lightly.

"Hey, your gonna make me spill my food!" he says putting his hand under his fork.

"Sorry. What about you?"

"I go to school."

"Which one?"

"It's near the church. you should go to that, we could 'hang'."

"Sounds delightful."

"Doesn't it?!"

"Yeah."

The rest of the dinner was quiet, and weird. I tried not todo any talking. I answered some questions, but I cracked up at T's jokes. They were really funny. I never really got to understand why he looked at me like he did.

His eyes were pretty, I thought I was looking at a dark sky, mixed with what looked a clear sea. Then there was his smile, his perfect smile that made my head spin with emotion.

"What are you looking at?"

"What?"

"Your looking at something Mrs. Cassandra. hey what's your name?"

"Cassandra Hernandez."

"FULL name please."

"Cassandra Anne Hernandez."