Give To Skinny Love

//6

     Despite all of Luke's attempts, I wouldn't ride with him back to my house. Not only did he seem like he was going to abduct me, but Tyler didn't know that I'd put Luke on probation, too. I left a frowning Luke at the school's courtyard and headed to Tyler's car. Tyler had been there talking to Rachel about something. I didn't know that they were friends, but apparently they were good friends by the sight of Rachel flipping her hair flirtatiously. Honestly, I thought it was a petty move. Tyler didn't dig cheerleaders, perhaps something's changed...

     When I approached Tyler's car he had this goofy smile on his face as he noticed me. Rachel looked back at me and gave me a blank expression. Somehow I felt like I'd gotten on her bad side. How? I don't know.

     “Ready to go, Kiddo?” Tyler asked getting off his car and heading to the driver's side. I nodded and went to the passenger's door.

     “I’ll see you at the party, I guess." Rachel said, walking away. Tyler gave her a nod and hopped into the driver's seat.

     I didn't bug Tyler the rest of the ride home. He must've gotten a vibe from me that something was wrong, even if I didn't complain about anything today. What gave away Tyler's attempt to get me to say what was eating at me was detouring to Taco Bell. Indeed, I loved fast food as much as any other greasy american. He bought me a couple burritos and we drove home.

     “You're not still mad, are you?" Tyler asked. He turned down the radio waiting for my answer. I had to swallow the chunk of burrito in my mouth before being able to answer him.

     “Nothing, I'm fantastic," I said, taking another bite. Tyler nudged me with the back of his hand and I had to swallow. “Parties aren't my thing, so I guess I'm just nervous. I don't know what to do, what to wear, anything. This is usually your area of expertise," I rested my head against the head rest and mouthed the words from the song playing. I know I should be happy, but whenever I thought of parties I imagined them in the movies — we all knew, sadly, that that wasn't the case in reality.

     Tyler just laughed and drove home. along the way he said for me not worry, that I'd be fine. I highly doubted so.

***

     “My babies!" Mom yelled just as soon as I made one step through the front door. Her hair was curled like usual, but her attire claimed it was a special occasion — and with mom, a special occasion could mean anything. When my came to hug Tyler and I, we were not prepared for her to squeeze the life out of us. For a woman of her stature she could definitely kill us.

     “Mom. Can't. Breathe,” Tyler wheezed out. I knew he wouldn't admit this out loud, but when it came to my mom he was as weak as a typical nerd. He said it was because it made our mom feel special, but Dad and I both knew the real reason.

     “Oops! Sorry, honey," Mom giggled and let us free. I can finally breathe! My tossed her hair over her shoulder and had a huge grin on her face. Something good had to happen. She stood there, sighing in a complete daze, before she realized she had forgotten her mission. When she remembered she did a small jump and grabbed my hand.

     “So," Mom began, “you know how much I just love weddings, right?" My brother and I both nodded in unison. My mom would cry during movies with weddings and scream in joy when she saw someone would propose in real life before her very eyes. Say yes! is what she'd always yell. They always said yes. “Well, my newest coworker just told me that her niece is getting married. And guess who invited me and my family to be special guests?" I opened my mouth to answer but she slapped her hand over it. “Us! Yeah, well, Tammie — that's my friend slash coworker's name — said that I could help plan the wedding, along with your dad. Now, I hope you don't hate me, but I offered you two up to be one of the bridesmaids and groomsmen," Mom placed a hand over her heart and inhaled deeply. I was surprised she was able to continue that speech without any air.