Caught

Chapter 13

My green mint halter top. Where is it? Ugh! I angrily searched my bed. Underneath, in between, nowhere! Approaching footsteps sounded against the hallways, and I suspected my mom. I had a strange talent that I could judge the person by the sound of their feet, and I was always right.

"Sweatheart?" Ha.

I glanced up, but continued to search. "Yeah?"

Mom came in, her eyes bulging slightly as she surveyed the mess I had created. I opened my mouth to explain, but she held up a hand.

"Your top is in my room. It must've gotten mixed in with my clothes."

I happily sighed, glad the exhausting expedition was over. My mom sat down, looking over at me and grinning. Uh oh. The could only mean one thing-

"So I was thinking.."

I waited.

"I want to have Chase over for dinner tomorrow night. What do you think about that? I think it would be good for your father and I to formally meet this young man. You too seem.. Serous."

I sat, silent. How was I ever going to pull this off? I guess Mia has to know eventually, and Sophia already knows. It would be nice for Chase to become familiar with my family. But than again, it is a complete, and utter awful idea.

"Sounds great Mom." I heard myself say. What? No.

She slapped her thighs, and grinned even wider. "Great! What does he like? Fish, chicken, pasta, lasagna..." She rambled on, a puzzled expression on her face as she tried to decided what to serve. I laughed.

"I'm sure anything you make will be great mom. I'll ask him today." I looked at my mom, and didn't have the heart to break her happiness.

She squealed, and hugged me. "I'll make cookies for you!" <The best mom ever.>

After mom left the room to prepare me my 'reward', I pulled out my phone to text Chase. This will be one interesting night.

*~*

Ok, so I would be lying to you if I wasn't having multiple, acute panic attacks. I had to tell Mia, and I was worried that Chase would think my family was weird. What if it was awkward? It had been while since I had had a serious relationship, and the last one crashed and burned. Stupid cheaters.. I hissed in my head. I thought about it. The fact that my mom was so happy for me is because of how I took my last breakup. I locked myself in my room for days, and only came out for the bathroom, and occasional food. Just like any other mother, she wants her children to be happy. The results of my last relationship rocked her boat so hard, that eventually she couldn't resist watching me in pain. She stalked over to his house, and lectured to him and his mother about 'self decency,' and how to treat girls. Let's just say, he never looked in my direction again. Either it was out of guilt, or he was completely petrified of what my other would do next. The thought amused me as I think of it now, but now I have other things to think about. Chase was coming, tonight at 5:30. Yesterday, after I had agreed, my mom ran out to the store, (after making my cookies, of course.) and legitimately bought the whole store. Baguettes, tomatoes, spinach, shrimp, hand-made pasta, and various spices were piled onto the counter, and my stomach rippled with nerves. Right, Mia. It's time. Chase was coming in about fifteen minutes, and I was planning on telling her before he came. I contemplated on whether to blurt out to her quickly, 'oh by the way, I have a boyfriend and I have been lying to you for about three weeks. He's coming for dinner, so sorry I didn't tell you!' Right before he walked in the door. Nah, too risky. So instead, I am going to tell her now... aaafter a quick snack. I jumped up, and shoved whatever I could grab my hands on in our pantry. Have I ever mentioned I pig eat when I'm nervous? Well, I do.

"Ally?" Mia's voice shot through our house like a bullot, and I froze. Slowly, I turned around and guiltily smiled. Her eyes widened, and I dropped the bananas in my hand. Scratch that, it was a kiwi. I think. . are kiwis red? Shut. Up! My conscience screamed at me. Just tell her!

"Chase is my boyfriend, and he's coming to dinner tonight!" I blurted out, my eyes wide.

She pressed her lips together. "I have to tell you something."

She's not mad? Score!

"What?"

She fidgeted nervously, and started to crack her knuckles. Her sign of nervousness. "Chase isn't the person you think he is."

I stopped, and stared at her. "What do you mean?"

She took a deep breath, and finally looked into my eyes. "He's my boyfriend.

"He's cheating on you Al."

*~*~*

It was like the whole word didn't matter, and Mia's voice started to become muffled. Cheating? Chase? Cheating Chase? No, no she's lying. She's lying! Chase would never cheat on me! I started to sway, but I planted my feat on the ground sigh force. Leaning on the counter for support, I looked into her eyes.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

No. Tears swam in my eyes, but I wiped it away quickly when I heard my mom.

"Everyone? Ally! Chase is here!" The name seemed dead to me, but I had to act like nothing was wrong for my mothers sake. She did so much for this, and I don't want to ruin it. I have to put on a good act.

(Mia's POV)

Ally's eyes became glossy and I parted my lips to say something. But nothing came out.

"Everyone? Ally! Chase is here!" Ally's Mother's voice rang through the hallway, and out came Lu-no. Wait, what? Only, it wasn't Luke.

Shit.

Ally walked over to Chase with the fake smile only I knew, and hugged him. Standoffish, I sensed it.

Double shit.

What do I do? Tell her! Tell her now! A voice in my head yelled. But wait, this isn't necessarily bad, I thought. Ally=no boyfriend. Me=happy. And as thought this, guilt crushed into me. It felt like my lungs were collapsing. Hold it together! I gritted my teeth together.

"Boy, am I hungry! Hi Chase, it's so nice to meet you!" I extended my hand, and smiled a genuine smile. Wow, he is cute. The hair, streaked with blonde highlights from the sun, and his face was adorable, yet hot. He had good taste in clothing too, as my eyes quickly scanned his clothes. A crisp, white long sleeve, pairs with khaki shorts. I grinned, and tried to ignore the guilt. This could work out well. Keep it up Ally.

(Ally's POV)

I glared at Mia, a sense of jealously ringing in my stomach. He is also her boyfriend.

Chase also extended his hand, smiling shyly. But at the same time, boldy. His confidence helped me swoon, but than I remembered. He's cheating on you! But a small sense of hope still sprang in my chest. Isn't that funny? Even when all the sense is lost in a moment, there is still hope present. Hence the saying, hope is the biggest emotion. But as I looked at Mia and Chase, I wasn't sure of what to believe.

Mom clapped her hands. "Right, well everyone sit down. Dinner will be ready in just a few short moments." She whisked off, followed by my family and Mia. She shrugged, and walked off. Nice.

Chase looked at me, and put his hand to my face. I slapped him away, taking a step back, creating distance.

He looked alarmed. "What's wrong?"

I scowled. "Like you don't know."

He turned his head, and looked confused. Yeah, nice act. "I don't know what your talking about."

"Sure."

"Ally.. Did I do something?"

I looked at him, a similar sense of security wafted around me. Tears started to spring, but I bit my tongue to stop the flow. If I don't now, they'll keep coming and I won't be able to stop them.

"Ally? Chase! Dinners ready!"

I turned immediately, and looked over my shoulder. "Don't worry to put on a good act. Obviously you've been doing that all along.