Smile Like You Mean It (One)

Chapter Twelve

That evening, Sal stood in front of his mirror, sweeping back his hair, as he looked himself up and down through the reflection. Music was blasting through his speakers, as he got himself ready for the group's party over Brian's house, seeing as his parents were away for the week. Sal was dressed in a pair of pale blue, white, and slate chequered shorts, white tee, with a matching light blue sweatshirt. On his feet he wore ankle high socks, and his favourite pair of grey sneakers. Sal smiled to himself, as he reached across to his dresser, retrieving his spray, and doused himself in the scent.

There was a knock at his door, as Sal turned his speakers off and stepped over to his bedroom door, pulling it open to see his mother stood there. She pulled him into a hug, before she looked over his outfit, smiling proudly.

"Look at my boy, all grown up and going to parties." She spoke, as Sal rolled his eyes.

"Ma, I'm 18 now. I'm not a boy anymore, I'm a man." He chuckled, as her hands rested against the sides of his face.

"I don't care how old you are, you will always be my little boy." She smiled. "Will you be staying over Brian's tonight?"

"Probably, his parents are away so we're all going round there. He said he has a new game on the SNES, so no doubt we'll be playing that all night."

"Okay, just be on your best behaviour please, young man."

"I will, Ma." Sal laughed lightly, as she pulled him into a hug.

"No alcohol, you hear me?" She warned, as she pulled away from the boy.

"No alcohol, no craziness, and no trouble. I know the rules, Ma." Sal answered, as his mother smiled.

"That's my boy." His mother hugged him goodbye, before Sal grabbed his bag, and slung one of the straps over his shoulder. He made his way downstairs, bidding goodbye to his family, soon stepping out of the front door, and starting on his walk over to Bryony's house.

He shuffled up the pathway leading to her porch, as he rang the doorbell, waiting patiently for her. The front door was soon pulled open, as he was met by her father. Even though Sal had met her parents multiple times, he always grew nervous around Bryony's father especially. He was a military man, and didn't stand any nonsense.

"H-Hello, Mr. Irwin...is Bryony in?" Sal gulped anxiously.

"She's upstairs, I'll go and get her for you." Her father answered, as Sal thanked him. He watched from the doorway, as the man walked over to the staircase, shouting up to get Bryony's attention.

Within a couple of minutes, the sound of footsteps seeped into his ears, as Bryony stepped down the stairs, hugging her father goodbye, before she approached the door, smiling at Sal. She pulled him into a tight embrace, as Sal was cautious, catching Bryony's father watching them from inside the house. Bryony shut the door behind her, as Sal took her hand in his, and walked her down the path.

"What new game do you think it is that Brian got?" Bryony asked, as they strolled along the sidewalk. Sal shrugged his shoulders, as he shook his head.

"I've no idea...could be Batman Returns, although, I am hoping that it's that new Shadowrun game!" Sal expressed, causing Bryony to laugh lightly.

"I recon it could be one of the new Mario games, he seems to be really into Nintendo lately." Bryony stated, as Sal turned to face her.

"How that dork ever got a girl like Beth, I'll never know." Sal chuckled, as Bryony shoved playfully at his shoulder.

"All four of you guys are dorks, don't single Brian out on it." Bryony responded, as Sal raised an eyebrow at the girl.