The Prince and the Bookworm

Chapter 54

"So..." My mom said nonchalantly, plopping down on the couch beside me. I waited for her to say more, but all she did was sit in silence, staring at me while I kept my eyes trained on our TV.

"So..." I repeated in a similar tone, reaching for the remote. I turned off the television, knowing that she was trying to get my full attention. If I didn't turn off the TV, she was going to do it for me. "What can I do for you on this fine Saturday morning?" I chirped, trying to sound more enthusiastic than I actually was about the conversation that was about to ensue.

"Talk."

"I'm sorry?" I raised an eyebrow.

"Talk to me."

"I just did." I pointed out, confusion spreading across my face. I had no idea what she was getting at. And due to past experience, when my mom was being vague about something, it usually wasn't a good thing.

"That's not what I meant, Sadie." She denied with a sigh, her lips pressed together in a straight line.

"Well I have no idea what you want to talk about so-"

"You and Dallas have been official for two weeks!"

"Why does it seem like all you ever talk about is Dallas?" I asked, shaking my head in mock disapproval as I picked up the remote, turning the TV back on. Talking about my boyfriend was not a worthy enough cause to turn my show off, no matter how much I loved him.

"Because he's going to be my future son-in-law." A huge smile spread across her lips as she spoke with absolute certainly. I tried not to choke on my own spit as I whipped my head to the side to give her a shocked look.

"Slow down there, Madre. We started dating a couple weeks ago. It's not like he got down on one knee and proposed." I protested, once again turning the TV off. Unfortunately for me, maybe this conversation would require my full attention.

"I know that, Sadie." My mom rolled her eyes dramatically. She didn't say 'duh', but it was obvious in her tone. "All I'm saying is that you're never going to find a guy better suited for you than Dallas."

"As Justin Bieber so wisely said, never say-"

"I'm serious." My mom interjected, reaching forward to place her hand on top of mine. It was warm and comforting, the complete opposite of my own hands, which were always cold. "You're my daughter. I know you very well. And I also know that healthy relationships scare you." My mom said bluntly, not even bothering to sugarcoat it.

"Um, thanks?"

"As soon as you let people in your life and into your heart, you get scared that they are going to hurt you in some way. And what do you always do to try and fix that?" My mom asked, gesturing in my direction to let me know that I was meant to answer.

"Be the kind and charming person that I always am?" I suggested with a humorless smirk.

"You push people away." My mom answered for me, refusing to acknowledge my sarcasm and apathy. "As soon as you start to get close to someone you then distance yourself in an act of self-preservation."

"I think you missed your calling, Mom. You totally should have been a therapist."

I was about to yet again turn the TV back on to end this conversation, but my mom was on to me instantly, putting the remote out of my reach before I could even think about moving my hands to pick it up.

I sighed loudly, throwing my head back against the couch. "Mom, I really don't want to talk about this."

"Fine."