Delivery for Mr. Popular

Chapter Four

After Leo left in that strange man's car I spent a couple hours at the park, then decided it was time to face my problems head on, instead of avoiding the truth.

I was going to let my mom be happy. She deserved it.

As I walked home I noticed how chilly it was getting to be mid June. I should've stayed inside.

When I finally reached the front door, I took a deep breath and opened the door. It was quiet inside until I reached the kitchen, the light was on and my mom was sitting at the table while some man was standing over the stove, stirring something in a pot that smelled a lot like spaghetti.

"Mom? Who's this?" I asked, coming into the light of the kitchen.

"Alison, honey, where the hell have you been? I've been worried sick waiting for you to come home!" She says, standing up from her chair. 

She couldn't have been all that worried if she was having date night with Mr. Chef over here.

I rolled my eyes, "Mom it's not that big a deal. I went to the park and that's it."

I could see her sigh in relief as she sat back down. She also seemed to just now remember there was a strange man in our kitchen listening to this whole ordeal. 

"Oh! Excuse my manors," She says, gesturing towards the man who finally turned away from the stove, "This is Todd. My fiance." 

What the hell!

"Mom!" I shouted. What the hell was with this woman and dropping these bombs on me today.

"Oh come on, Alison. Did you really think I was telling you girls all that stuff this morning for no reason? I had to warm you up to the idea." She stated. 

"Look, I know this is probably a really hard thing to deal with but trust me, I really do love your mother, and I want this to work out with you and your sister." Todd says, wiping his hands on his apron while stepping closer to me. 

My eyes snapped towards him and narrowed slightly. Who did this guy think he was?

He seemed genuine enough about really loving mom, but it would take a while before i really started to accept him. But for now, I'd play nice to make mom happy. 

"Fine. Whatever." I muttered, turning to go upstairs. 

"Dinner will be ready in ten!" I heard Todd shout up the stairs right before I slammed my door shut. 

I never was one to act out like this. I guess things change...

Just then my phone rang. I checked the caller ID and sighed before answering. 

"What do you want, Leo?" 

"Now is that any way to talk to your best friend?" I could almost feel him smirking on the other line. 

I rolled my eyes, "Leo, is there an actual reason you're calling me right now. I'm pretty busy." I lied. I was sprawled out across my bed waiting for dinner to be ready. 

"Yup. I wanted to see you, Princess." 

I almost choke on my own spit. He wanted to see me? What kind of drugs was he on? 

"Look you don't have to if you don't want to, but there's this diner I know and--"

"Are you asking me out on a date, Leo Hunt?" I smirked to myself. I never thought i'd be asking that question.

"It's whatever you want it to be." 

The line is silent for a while as I ponder over the statement. What did  I want it to be?