Settling The Score

Part 4

The next day I did something I hadn't done in years, since the time Lucy used me as her test subject.

I put on makeup.

It was only a thin layer of mascara and some lip gloss, but still. I let my dark waves fall over my shoulder. It was usually tied up for convenience's sake, but today I felt like doing something different.

I had on black skinny jeans and one of my usual goofy T-shirts, with Homer Simpson eating a donut in front.

I got my bag and headed downstairs, my plan already thoroughly devised.

Okay, so I did feel exceptionally bad for lying to Lucy yesterday. But honestly, it wasn't that much of a stretch. I mean, technically Mason was seriously hot, no one could deny that. The part where I was interested in him though, well that part I might have exaggerated on just a tiny bit.

"Morning!" I yelled, entering our lively kitchen. Mila was already there, busy getting Bella ready for school.

"Morning baby." 

My mom rushed from giving Bella a tight hug to me. She gave me a quick kiss on the head. "I'm on my way out," she said, dashing out the kitchen with a half-eaten bagel.

"You're late Mija, Carlos is already waiting outside," Mila informed, helping an eager Bella get down from her chair. 

"Leelee, look I made you a picture!" Bella raved as she ran over, picture in hand.

"Wow, Pumpkin it's beautiful!" I commented, planting a big, wet, lip gloss-soaked kiss on her cheek, making her giggle hysterically.
"Ewwww!" she laughed.

An eager Mila handed me a bagel while waving me out of the kitchen. "You leave now or you be late," she scolded.
I gave her a big smile, looking over my shoulder, "Thanks Mila!" and headed out the door. 

"You look nice today Leslie!" I caught her saying before the door closed.

Outside, Carlos waited for me, looking very impatient. "Finally," he huffed. 

"Good morning to you too," I replied, as I went to stand in front of him. I looked at him pointedly.
"You know, I'd be nicer to the person who so charitably drives me to school every day if I were you."

He took a step closer in an attempt to look intimidating. He was just a few inches taller than me, so that wasn't an easy thing to accomplish.

I bit back a laugh, trying to keep my face serious, not faltering for a moment under his angry stare.

"That's it," he exclaimed, picking me up and throwing me over his shoulder. He stalked towards the car while I raved, "Let me down, you buffoon!" 

I hammered my fists against his back, trying to escape his hold.

"Sure," he plainly said and dropped me straight on my ass.
"Now Carter, can we please get going?" He chortled at my enraged expression, getting in the passenger seat of my Beetle.

I sighed internally, lifting myself up. Carlos was probably the only person in the entire world I'd let get away with something like that.

I got in and glared at the jerk, punching his arm as hard as I could. "I'll let that slide, Diaz, seeing as I did keep you waiting. And also, cause I know the real reason you're so moody is that we won't be on time for you're 'accidental' bump into Lucy this morning."
I started the car, smiling intently as his cheeks flamed.

He turned to face the window. "I don't know what you're talking about," he mumbled. "Sure you don't."

He hated when I brought up his crush on Lucy. Crush was putting it mildly, it was more of an infatuation if you asked me. He was crazy about the girl, ever since we were little.