She's the One [DISCONTINUED]

[11]

I'm done tidying up my room, showering, and changing into sweatpants and a hoodie by the time the doorbell rings.

"I'll get it!" I yell as I rush out of my bedroom. It's either Steph or Lydia, but I have a feeling Lid would get here faster. She's the one who was eager for our little 'creating a website for the bakery' mission.

I open the door and Lid's standing there just like I predicted, an excited grin on her face.

"Hey!" She steps forward and gives me a quick hug, startling me. I'm not used to this kind of greeting. All Steph and I do when we see each other is either nod or smile.

She pulls away before I can return the gesture, and her eyes start scanning the house. "So, where's your family?"

"My mom's in the kitchen. And Chloe-- my sister's having a sleepover in her friend's house," I answer.

She gives me a questioning look, obviously wondering about my dad. We've never really talked about our families, so I haven't told her about how I don't get to see him a lot. She always avoided those topics, not wanting me to ask her the same question. But the only thing her secrecy does is make me more eager to know more about her.

"And my dad's at work," I add.

She nods, satisfied by my answer. "So..."

"Oh, yeah-- sorry, come in." I chuckle, stepping aside to let her pass.

My mom comes out of the kitchen as I shut the door and turn around. She gives Lid a warm smile, rubbing her right hand on her bright red apron.

"This is Lydia, Mom." I stand there awkwardly as Lid steps forward to give her a quick hug.

What's with her and hugs tonight?

"I'm June, nice to meet you sweety." Mom smiles at her before giving me a look. Uh-oh. I know what's coming. Mom, please don't embarrass me. Please, please, please-- "She's beautiful," she says, grinning at me. Way to go Mom. You just had to make this awkward.

Lid smiles, and I can see the blush on her dark skin even from where I'm standing.

"Okay," I say dragging the word. "We'll be in my room." I grab Lid's hand, eager to get her away from Mom. I told her earlier that Lid and Steph would come over tonight, but now she's acting like I brought my girlfriend home for the first time.

We go up the stairs and I let go of her hand, pushing my bedroom door open. She walks in before me, looking around with a smile.

"I like your room," she says, looking back at me. "It's warm and cozy."

I chuckle at her choice of words. My room's pretty much... plain, really. My medium sized bed is pushed up against the wall, and my computer desk is placed right under the small window. The floor and walls are gray, and my beige curtain's always closed unless Mom comes in here to clean up. I glance at the bureau placed on the other side of my room and cringe. Is it girly that I have a mirror? Nah... it's pretty common for boys too, right?