12 dates of Christmas [Completed]

Chapter 7

Mateo

We have computer science and I'm bored out of my mind. So I start up a conversation with Cora, who's sitting in the front of the classroom. We haven't spoken since I dropped her off at her house but the whole school is buzzing with gossip about Zino and Cora's date yesterday.

Mateo: I'm bored, what are you doing?

Cora: Trying to listen to the teacher... not...lol

Mateo: I'm really sorry about the party. I want to see you again if you let me.

Cora turns her head to look at me and I get a warm feeling in my chest as her dark green eyes meet mine.

Cora: Since I forgave Zino I might as well forgive you too but you have to take me on a date to prove it.

That puts a grin on my face. I spend the rest of the day trying to figure out where to take her.

Cora

My decision to stay away from the boys has flown out the window. I can't stay mad at either one of them, but I'm gonna make them work for it. Or that is what I tell myself anyway.

Mateo is waiting by my locker at the end of the day. He hasn't stopped grinning since computer science class. It's freaking adorable!

"Why are you so happy?" I ask.

"Well I have a date with the school's prettiest girl, why wouldn't I be happy about that?" he replies.

I roll my eyes at him.

"You have been practicing on your pick up lines?" I tease him.

"Anything for you sweetheart", he smiles and takes my hand, he intertwines his fingers with mine and it's such an intimate gesture it melts my heart a little more. I smile at him as he leads me to his car. This will be my third date with Mateo and he surprises me by driving to Manhattan, where he takes me to dinner in a fancy restaurant near Central Park. We have a great time and after we've eaten we take a carriage ride in the park and as we sit close together. It starts to snow – how romantic.

"It feels like I'm in one of those snow globes", I smile up at him before I place my head on his shoulder, Mateo slips an arm around me.

"Our own little bubble", he whispers into my hair.

Mateo

At the end of the night I walk Cora to her door. She kisses me on the cheek. It's not THE KISS but it's a kiss nonetheless. Cora goes inside and I go back to my car with a throbbing heart.

Zino

I'm at some girl's house. We've just had sex and I'm about to leave. I'm here because Mateo took Cora out on a date. He sent me a picture of a lipstick print on his cheek. I have to step up my game if I'm gonna win this bet of ours. I want my Maserati back.