Don't fall

Chapter VIII: Two Glasses

    Fuck! I have never been this nervous in my entire life. Why am I even nervous? To me, it's a date, but to her? To her, it's just a silly little friend gathering. What am I thinking? I'm just letting her play me like an idiot. Rosa, focus. I just have to take a nice, hot and steamy shower... I'll be alright. On my way to my room, I run into my mother. She tries to just walk away, but I gently pull her arm.

    -Mom? -I ask softly.

    -Yes? -Her voice seems to be coming back to normal very slowly.

    -I'm going out tonight, is that okay?

    -Sure. Just don't come home late.

    I nod and walk into my room. I go to my bathroom and hop into the shower. Chill, Rosa. It's gonna be okay, you'll be fine. Just don't embarrass yourself... Okay, now that's already way too hard. After some good thinking in the shower, I hop right out and try to pick out an outfit. Should I go slutty? Nah, that's too much. I'll just wear some black lacy underwear and that's it for indecency. Surprisingly, it only takes about 2 minutes of staring into my wardrobe to pick something out: black ripped jeans, a denim jacket, black sneakers and a red flannel shirt (just because I'm that gay). I change and dry my hair, styling it for a "distressed" look. I look at the time on my phone; it is time, mamacita.

    -Oye, I'm leaving. -I shout while walking to the door.

    -Okay, Rosa. Be safe out there. -I hear my mother shouting back.

    I just stand already outside on the street, reading the napkin over and over again... Hold up... I know this place. I hooked up with a girl who lives on this building. Hopefully, the same will happen today.

    I walk a few blocks until I get to the building. Yup, that's it. I ring the buzzer on the front door and wait anxiously to be answered.

    -Name and apartment? -The doorman asks right away.

    -Rosa, 802. -My voice is already shaky.

    In a few seconds, the door unlocks and I enter. I walk in the elevator and go up to the eighth floor. Her door is right a couple steps away from the elevator. Holy shit, this is it. I take a deep breath and adjust my posture before knocking.

    -Have you ever heard of a doorbell? -She mocks right after opening the door. I smile and lean against the doorframe as we stare at each other for a while. -Come in. -She says softly.

    I walk in while she closes the door. This is a neat apartment. It has got a modern, comfy look to it. Hardwood floors, grey walls, a fireplace... Fancy stuff.

    -Nice place... -I say looking around.

    -Thank you. -She says smiling while walking past me. -Have a seat. -She gestures to a big grey couch while she goes to the coffee table in front of it.

    I sit while she pours herself some wine.

    -Do you want some water? I have some diet coke and orange juice too...

    -I could drink some wine. -I say casually.

    -Come on, you're seventeen.

    -Back in Mexico, the legal drinking age is 18.

    -Even so, you're not up to it. -She giggles.

    -Hey, I've done far worse than alcohol.

    -Like what? -She asks, shocked.

    -For starters: weed, acid; one time I even did co...

    -Okay, okay... That's enough... -She interrupts me and chuckles nervously while pouring me a glass. She hands me the glass and sits down next to me. -There you go, you degenerate teen. -She jokes.