It's Always Been You

Chapter 2

Ariana plopped down on the floor in front of her sister's couch, her laptop was open on the couch before her. She opened her internet browser and went on Pinterest.

Cristina was still working in the kitchen, making her son's favorite food for his birthday. "What did you do?"

"I yelled and slammed the door in his face." Ariana stared at the laptop screen and began skimming over the pins.

"You yelled? Was there anyone around?"

"I don't know." Ariana scrolled through before typing in the search bar, 'high school history classroom decorating'.

Cristina laughed. "When are you going to get over that silly grudge you have with him?"

"Why should I?" Ariana grumbled at her laptop screen.

"You're 24. You're both adults," Cristina reasoned, sliding a tray of unbaked cupcakes into the oven.

"Nah. Besides, it keeps me motivated."

"For what?"

Ariana shrugged.

Cristina sighed. "Well, I guess this might be a bad time to mention that he's coming over tonight."

"What? Why are you trying to ruin my life?"

# # #

Ariana stood in the kitchen, icing the cooled cupcakes.

Marco and Santiago, Ariana's nephew, had returned from their boy's day out at the children's museum. Santiago was currently taking a nap in his room. Marco walked into the kitchen, a towel was wrapped around his neck.

"Hey, sis." He peeked around her shoulder. "You've gotten better at that. You can't beat the pro, though." He pointed his thumb to his chest.

"I will one of these days."

Marco opened the refrigerator and grabbed a soda, opening it with a loud pop. "Ben is coming over tonight."

Ariana rolled her eyes. "I know."

"Be nice."

She scoffed. "Why is everyone telling me to be nice?"

Marco grinned. "Because you forget. Besides, I don't want you scaring him off. There's some stuff I want to talk to him about."

"Ooh, boy stuff?"

He grinned. "Not exactly."

# # #

The front door opened with commotion.

"Daniela, camina, por favor." Cristina followed behind her four-year-old, who had run ahead of her.

"Tia, look, I made all these pictures con tu abuelita."

Ariana stood from her comfy spot on the sofa and met up with her sister and niece in the kitchen. Her mom walked in behind her.

"Oh, Ma, you scared me." She placed a kiss on her mom's cheek and helped her carry the food into the kitchen.

Unlike Ariana, Cristina had inherited their mom's dark curly hair, which fell in waves over her shoulders. Their mom, Alicia, took to wearing her hair in a short hairdo. More manageable, she had said. Sometimes she wished she had their curls instead of her long straight hair.

"Where's Marco?" Cristina asked, eyeing the frosted cupcakes.

"He fell asleep on the couch. I think Santi wore him out."

Cristina smiled. She walked into the living room to wake him up.

Alicia looked around, her eyes landing back on Ariana. "Where's Liam?"