Amber Society ✘

2

"The baby, that's who." My dad replies. The boy lets out a small laugh and starts walking towards me. Oh no, oh no, oh no. I'm dreaming, aren't I? Please wake me up. I'm going to cry. I'm going to die of embarrassment. This is the end.

"She's super cute. What's her name?" Is he talking to me? Why is he looking at me? Who is he? Why is he here? I'm frozen. Oh god, I'm frozen. Wake the fuck up Rory. A super handsome guy is talking to you. He's going to think you're insane! "Uh..hello?" The boy is waving his hands in front of my face, and Cora seems to think it's funny. It. Is. Not. Funny. Wait 'till you're my age Cora. Just you wait.

"Oh, sorry.. her name's Cora."

"Sweet name. But I was asking about you." 'Aight. This is where I die.

"Huh?" Is all I could manage.

"Sorry, I'm just playing." A player. Just my luck. "Cora is a super cute name. What's it mean?"

"I didn't name her. Ask her mother."

"Damn. What about you? Your name isn't sassy is it?" Oh, he did not just say that.

"I- Why would my name be that?"

"Um, no reason."

"My name's Rory. Not sAsSy." I'm basically mocking him at this point. This is why boys don't love me.

"Rory...pretty name. I'm Luca." For a minute we just stand there and stare at each other, and Cora is getting restless and keeps moving around, so my arms are getting tired. "So.. what grade are you in?"

"Huh? Me?"

".... Yes...."

"Right, duh! Of course. Unless you're talking to the baby, because this kid already graduated college."

"Wait-"

"I'm not serious. She's smart though."

"Hm. I can see that." I turn my head towards Cora to see what he's talking about, and sure enough Cora's trying to braid my hair. I'm not a freaking gorilla! "What grade are you in?"

"Tenth."

"Oh cool. So you're, like, fifteen or sixteen?"

"Sixteen."

"Nice. I'm also in tenth grade."

"Cool."

"Yup." And so we stand in silence yet again.

"Hey, newly weds, mind helping me bring the couch in?" Did my dad just say newly weds? Is he trying to kill me? But it looks like Luca is blushing. AM I BLUSHING?! Oh no. This is a bad start to my sophomore year.

"Yes, of course sir." Luca walks away from me and assists my dad with carrying the couch inside.

Okay. Wait a minute. This kid, who I literally just met, is already seeing what our house looks like? He better not bump into the rest of my siblings, because then I will be hiding in my room until I turn one-hundred and five.

I follow my dad and Luca inside, and head to Cora's bedroom. "Ohwa." Ohwa is Cora's way of asking for water. I gently put her in her crib and grab her bottle.

"Is this ohwa?" I ask. Cora nods. "Alright, here you go." I give her the bottle and sit on her rug, waiting for her to fall asleep. I hear loud footsteps approaching the room.

"Rory! Mom wants you downstairs!" It's Sadie, my crazy twelve year old sister.

"Well, tell her I'm making sure Cora goes to sleep."

"She wants you downstairs now though."

"Fine, just go." I turn my head to Cora, who is now fast asleep. I take her bottle and place it on the dresser, turn off the lights, and head downstairs.

Entering the kitchen, I see my mom, my dad, Luca, and who I assume is Luca's parents. "Glad you could make it." Why does my mom have to be so dramatic? This isn't a royal gathering. Although... Luca can play the part of the handsome prince. No. I need to stop. He is too beautiful for me.

"Funny." I say to my mom, then I turn to who I think is Luca's mother. "Hi, nice to meet you. I'm Rory."

"Hi Rory! I'm Giselle, and this is my husband Philip." I turn to face Philip, who I think is Luca's father.

"Hi there." Is all he says.

"Hello."

"You met my son, Luca, I assume." Aha! I knew it.

"Yes, I have. We met outside while he was helping my dad."

"That's so nice to hear. I noticed, you're a very pretty girl Rory. And your eyes are extraordinary."

"Oh, thank you so much."