Sweet Tooth: On My Block

16: date night

this book is dying...VOTE PLEASE AND THANK YOU!

"Is it possible for you to ready up any slower?" Oscar exclaimed. He was standing outside Maxine's bedroom door, waiting for her to change so they could go out.

"Yes," she giggled from inside.

"I'm not lying, you look good in everything you wear. At this point, I wouldn't mind if you came out in sweatpants and a random hoodie. How am I supposed to help you pick out an outfit if you won't show me!"

"Because it's a surprise. Wait! I think I found the perfect outfit." She paused. "Never mind."

"What the hell!"

"I'm kidding," Maxine laughed. "I'm ready." 

"Goddamn, you're right, it's perfect. And so are you," he murmured, his voice low, his eyes roaming up and down.

"Stop it!" She exclaimed playfully, covering her body up with her arms.

"Let me admire my beautiful girlfriend in peace." 

ONE CAR DRIVE LATER

"Aw, this place is so cute," Maxine smiled, looking around at the little store they were in. Little lanterns hung from streamers and candles decorated the tables. Oscar raised a hand up to catch the attention of one of the waiters, who quickly led them to a booth.

"I know, right? I loved this place. I used to bring my mom here for Mother's Day and-" he suddenly stopped, embarrassed that he was sharing too much.

Maxine frowned. "What's wrong? Finish your story."

"It's fine, I was sharing too much and-"

"Oscar. I think it's sweet and I want to hear it. You're not sharing too much."

"I used to take my mom for dinner on Mother's Day and her birthday. She always used to order a small cup of soup and end up eating most of my food," he smiled, grinning at the memory. "It was the funniest thing, even if I ordered two plates, it would still get finished."

"What about your dad?" Maxine smiled, prompting him to speak more.

"Left when I was a child." He looked away. "That's when my mom started taking pills."

"Crap, I didn't mean-"

"It's fine, you didn't know."

The waiter stopped at their table to take their orders, Maxine ordering a half rack of ribs with broccoli, Oscar asking for a large burger and a side of fries.

"So," Oscar started, after the waiter left them alone. "Tell me about your family. I know about Rico-may he rest in peace-but you never did tell me about why you moved to Freeridge."

"Rico was the primary caretaker of my mother, and when he died, there was no one to look after her, which was why I moved to Freeridge. My dad died a while ago, so it's just me and my mom," she explained. "That's my story. Hey, you never told me why you didn't go to culinary school."

"I had to look after my hermano."

"Really? I never knew you had a brother too!" Maxine exclaimed. "What's his name?"

"Cesar. He's fourteen and a pain in the ass."

"I bet he says the same thing about you. All brothers are annoying."

"Nah, he's too scared of me to say things like that," Oscar answered, a smile on his lips. "He's annoying, but he can also be annoyingly sweet."

"I want to meet him," Maxine said stubbornly. "I think I should meet him."

"Seriously? Why can't I have you all to myself?" he asked playfully. "Fine, you can see him tomorrow. But right now, you're all mine, Maxie."

A pretty waitress with long, straight hair, dark eyes, perfectly shaped eyebrows, and a wide smile approached the table. She pulled up her already-tight jeans and turned to Oscar, who already knew what was happening.  

"Hi, can we help you?" The waitress rudely ignored Maxine's question. 

"For you," she smiled at Oscar, placing a brownie in front of him. "On the house."

He stared at it, not knowing what to say. Then he slid the plate across the table to Maxine. "I'm not that hungry. My girlfriend will have it."

The girl's mouth opened but nothing came out. "I-"

"Thank you, though," he replied. "We're going to eat our food now."

The waitress turned and walked away, and he looked at Maxine.

For a few moments they were silent, before breaking into a fit of laughter. 

Maxine snorted. "Did you see how scared she looked?"

"Yeah, she didn't know what to say after I called her out!"

"Thank you," Maxine smiled, biting into a piece of ribs.

"For what?"

"You called me your girlfriend."

"Because you are. Right?"

"Yeah, I know, but it just feels official when you say it like that," she shrugged. "It makes me warm inside when you say it."

"Can you give me a location of where exactly?" he smirked. "Like, your pus-"

"Oh, shut up!"

Oscar laughed, picked up a fry, and threw it at her. It landed in her hair.

"Thanks, free food," Maxine giggled, eating it. "I would throw a rib, but they're too tasty, and also too messy. But at least it wouldn't get caught in your hair."

"Hey! Don't insult my look!"

"I'm not, I'm just saying! Your look is efficient," she laughed. "You don't have to brush your hair."

"Yeah, but it'll never be able to compete against yours."

"I don't think you want my hair," Maxine joked. "You wouldn't be able to pull it off."

"True," Oscar agreed. "You wear your hair nicely."

"I know." She flipped her hair. "I'm kidding."

Maxine looked at him. "You know, I never thought we would be here. Eating together on a date. Dating. It's something pretty new for me."

He nodded. "I think you might be my first serious relationship. Sofia ain't shit next to you."

"Seriously?"

"Why do you sound so doubtful? I'd take you over her any day, mi princesa. You know that."

"I don't know," she sighed. "I still get so nervous that there's a day you might wake up and realize you've been going in the wrong direction, and you'll-"

"Maxie, that's irrational," he told her sternly, then covered his eyes. "I messed up. That's why I went with her. She was someone I knew, and I was afraid...fuck. I'm so sorry, Maxie. I'm sorry for that, and I promise not to leave you again."