Save That-

.twelve.

As we walked into the church, I felt extremely uncomfortable. There were people absolutely everywhere, and we hadn't even made it to the actual area where the body was.

"We can just wait outside the room, it's apparently almost over. I thought we had a lot longer than we did." I nodded, looking around at all the people. Tracy was here, and I made note of it.

"So your mom... where's she?" I looked around some more, standing on my tip toes to look past people. Gus placed his hands on my shoulder and turned me towards him. His smile was goofy, it always made me smile right back, and I'm sure mine was goofier.

"Just calm down Luca, she's gonna love you, okay? I told her good things." I nodded and took a deep breath, moving a piece of his hair over.

"You're right, I can do this." He nodded and smiled, pulling me closer to him as he wrapped his long arms around me. I wrapped my arms around him as well and we spun around slowly in an embrace while people came up to him to talk to him for a few seconds. My face was completely shielded from everyone else because his arms were covering my face.

I never knew who was gonna walk up and be his mom, and it made me anxious. I had no warning whatsoever.

One lady walked up to us though, and Gus talked to her as if he knew her well. She sounded about 30 with all the maturity in her voice. I took a peek up from his arms and it was a seemingly nice lady with brown hair. She was wearing minimal makeup, if she was even wearing any at all, and she still was very pretty.

She had wrinkles, but it only made her look more professional for some reason.

I felt Gus look down at me and slowly drag his arms away. I looked at the lady now, she was smiling.

"Oh, momma, this is Luca." I froze. My breath hitched and I was finding it hard to think straight.

"Luca, this is my mom, Liza." I smiled as warmly as I could at her. "Nice to meet you, Liza. You have a wonderful son." Gus placed his arm around my shoulders and neck and pulled me closer. "Of course dear, thank you. You're quite pretty, you look young. How old are you?" Her face twisted into fear, and I knew why. I've always looked younger than I am, so it was no surprise to me when she said this.

"Thank you, I'm 19." Relief washed over her face as she sent me another smile. "Of course. You seem lovely," she nudged Gus a little.

"Be safe, you two. I've got to go now, but it was nice meeting you Luca. I love you, Gus. Text me if you need anything. Goodbye!" She smiled wide at both of us and started to clear along with everyone else around. I waved and Gus told her that he loved her and she left. She was a nice lady, I'm glad she doesn't hate me.

I looked up at Gus. "Hey, you did it. It wasn't that bad, right?" I shivered, not because I was cold, but because I was nervous. I hadn't even realized until the jolt hit me.

Gus misunderstood and wrapped his arms around me, assuming I was cold. I giggled and kissed his cheek, then pushed him away. He whined and whined as we walked back out to the car. It only made me laugh more.

"Hey Luca, would you be willing tooooo,"

"Oh no, what?"

"Maaaaaybe go out to a party thingy at my friends house." He smiled at me, as wide as he could. "Hm. Why can't you go alone?" I didn't prefer social gatherings much. They shoved my nerves through the roof and not being at home and all, I never have a remedy.

"Because I wanna show everyone my totally sick lady friend? Duh."

I repeated after him, a slight mix of anger and laughter built up. "Totally sick lady friend?"

"Ye-! Or well, I mean, I dunno, whatever you wanna call it I guess." He turned his head to the side nervously. I laughed nervously out of habit, unsure of what I actually should say. I could say I wanna be more and we could try, and I could also say that I wanted to wait and we could try that too. Something held me back from what I actually wanted to do versus what I should do. "We should wait." He nodded, somewhat solemnly, but then picked himself right back up by turning the radio on.

"Wait so do you wanna go?" I shrugged, not really caring. He picked up his phone happily. I had no idea who he might be calling until Gus said "We'll be there in 20". I let out a quiet sigh and mentally prepared myself for whatever may come next.