When Crossing The Tracks-Sweet Pea

23

"Aww, I love you in your cheer uniform, brings back so many memories" mom said as I entered the kitchen "Thanks" I smiled, adjusting my crisp white turtleneck underneath the uniform "And your hair is so pretty like this, you should wear ponytails more often" she smiled "What's with all the compliments today?" I asked "Nothing, why?" she asked playing with my ponytail "Mom, I know you" I said, taking my hair out of her hands "It's the full set of extensions?" she asked and I rolled my eyes "You're swerving" I said, taking a sip of orange juice "I met someone" she said and I turned around to face her again. She was smiling ear to ear "Wait....so when you said you're back in LA for jobs....you were actually hooking up with someone?" I asked "No! Not all the time at least" she said "Mom! I can't believe you right now" I gasped "His name is William and he's a litigator" she said "Apple doesn't fall far from the tree" I said and she rolled her eyes "Lila" she said "And how old is he?" I asked "He's 43" she said "And you're 38....don't you think he's a little too old?" I asked "It's 5 years" she said "Yeah but if he's a litigator he's under a lot of stress so he must age twice as fast. Do you have a picture?" I asked "No but I was hoping you'd want to meet him" she said "Is it really that serious?" I asked "Well...." She said "Does he have kids?" I asked "Yes, he has a son" she said "Great, I'm guessing he's following in his father's footsteps" I said "He is, he's a Harvard student" she said "Fancy. What else?" I said "They have a house in Calabasas, he's been divorced for 10 years" she said "So why do you like him?" I asked "Well he's charming, funny" she said "And his pocket is swollen" I added "Yes" she sighed "Mom" I sighed "Lila" she said "What? So you just like him for his money?" I asked "No of course not but....I just love when he spoils me" she said "I'm late for school" I said "Can we talk about this after school?" she called after me "Do I have a choice?" I yelled back but I was already out the door, taking the Jeep and driving to school. I parked it, making my way inside school "Hey, Juggie told me what happened at the bar Saturday night. Are you okay?" Betty asked as she jogged up to me "Yeah" I smiled "Are you sure? He said-" she spoke "Betty, I'm fine" I chuckled and she smiled "Okay then" she said "You're never gonna guess what bomb mom just dropped on me before leaving this morning" I said "What?" she asked "She met a guy" I said "Really? Who?" she asked "This litigator from California" I said "Impressive" she said "Yeah, key word litigator. Hint he's filthy rich hint he already has my mother's heart" I said "Damn" she said "And she wants me to meet him and his Harvard son" I said "What did you say?" she asked "We didn't finish the conversation but to be honest...I'm not too thrilled" I sighed "I mean she deserves to be happy" she said "She just divorced my dad and her alibi is not too strong. She said she likes him cause he's funny" I rolled my eyes "Just give him a chance, maybe he's not that bad" she said "Yeah maybe....am I judging too hard?" I asked "Maybe a little" she chuckled "Okay fine" I said, leaning against the lockers, watching her put a few things inside her locker "Hey" Toni said as she walked up to us "Hi" I smiled "Don't you look like a walking fantasy" Toni smirked and I rolled my eyes "Really?" I laughed and she shrugged "Can I borrow her for a second Betty?" Toni asked, grabbing my hand "Uh sure" Betty said and Toni pulled me away "Did you talk to him?" she asked "No" I sighed "I figured, he's a complete firecracker" she rolled her eyes and I sighed "Heard it was pretty bad, he was wasted and FP lectured him and Jesus" she said "Did he talk to you?" I asked "I haven't seen him since that night but Fangs said he had a hell of a hangover" she said "Well he deserved it" I said "Here he comes" she said and I looked over my shoulder. Jug stopped by Betty's locker while Sweet Pea dropped the rest of the Serpents, coming up to us "I gotta run, he looks scarier than usual. Good luck" Toni said and quickly disappeared "Lila" I heard and the next second, Sweet Pea was by my side. I looked up at him but I couldn't read his emotions "Listen...I'm sorry" he sighed, leaning against the lockers. I didn't say anything, just crossed my arms over my chest "Princess" he said, putting his hands on my hips and pulling me into his chest "Sweet Pea I...you scared me....you made me feel like I was there to serve only one purpose" I said "Princess you know that's not....I'm sorry" he sighed "You need to try and control your temper, Sweet Pea" I said "I know" he said "Jughead had to take me home because you were way too drunk" I said "I understand that" he said "No, Sweet Pea, you don't. Because if you did, Saturday night wouldn't've happened like it did" I said "What are you saying?" he asked, almost sounding offended "You need to get yourself together" I said "I will" he replied "Sweets" I said, sliding my hand to the back of his head and running my fingers into his hair while my left hand rested on his chest "Don't push me away" I said "I just...." he sighed "I love you" I said and his jaw clenched "It's your call" I said and stepped away from him, walking to first period "Did you guys figure it out?" Toni whispered when I sat down but I shook my head, fighting back the tears "You will eventually, you know how he is" she said, putting a hand on my shoulder "Yeah" I said, standing up and grabbing my stuff "Lila" she called after me "Lila?" Betty called, standing up from her seat but I didn't stop, making my way out of class and walking past Sweet Pea and Jughead and everybody else entering the class room. I went to the nearest bathroom, locking myself inside. I sighed, looking in the mirror. I pulled out my phone, calling my mom "Lila? What's wrong, shouldn't you be in class?" she answered her phone "Mom, I'm in the bathroom. I'm not feeling good" I lied "What's wrong?" she asked "I-I feel light headed and nauseous" I said "But you didn't say anything earlier" she said "I thought it would pass but it just got worse. I really don't want to get behind the wheel, can you pick me up?" I asked "Is it really that bad?" she asked "Yeah mom" I said "Okay, I'll call your principle on my way" she said and hung up.