Behind Closed Doors

Chapter Two

It's crazy, I haven't been able to stop texting Mateo since the day I first met him. It's been about two weeks since then, and I already know so much about him; He's eighteen years old, our birthdays are only a week apart, he's from Florida and has been living in Ohio for five years. Why would he move from Florida to Ohio, I dont understand it? Not as many opportunities here, plus the weather is constantly horrible.

A new message pops up in my phone, my heart flutters as I read what Mateo sent.

Hey beautiful, can't wait to see your face later today.

Mateo and I are going on a small date-ish thing today: hiking. For now, I'm at my house getting ready and making myself look presentable. Plus, I'm also going to Nichole's tonight and staying a few days. I'll probably pack for about three days, but since we are neighbors I can always come back for anything forgotten. Maddy comes in my room, turning down my speaker and dramatically flopping down on my bed. She loves doing that, coming in when I'm listening to music and ranting about whatever's bothering her. I don't mind since I am her older sister, but it'd be great if she's do it when I'm not busy.

Maddeline takes a long, dramatic sigh, "Why do you have to leave? I want you to come outside and play with me." I immedietly stop packing my bag, giving her the 'really' look, "Madd's, you can always play with your friends. Plus, I'm way too old to play house outside. I've got big kid plans baby girl." She turns her head away from me, taking a long pause, "What friends?" I know Maddy didn't want me to hear it since it was basically whispered, but after she said those two little words my stomach knots up and guilt weighs heavy on my chest. I sit down beside her, brushing her hair with my fingers, "I promise we'll play together soon," I give her a warm and honest smile.

It's my duty as a sister to keep my sibilings happy, they're all I got if mom were to pass away. Don't get me wrong, I have other family members too, but they're the closest thing to my mother as I'll ever get.

A small buzz comes from my pocket. I look down at my phone and see Mateo's text.

I'm on my way there now, see you soon <3

My heart flutters as I take a deep breath, smiling at the little heart he added, "I have to go Madd's, but I promise we'll spend time together when I get back." I grab my bag, hollering to my mother that I'm ready. So the plans for today: I get dropped off to go hiking with Mateo, then picked up by Nichole and her mom to spend the night. They don't mind picking me up since Nichole's brother is at practice, which gives me time to hang out with Mateo and then picked up after her brother finishes.

My mother and I hop in the car, and before I have time to shut the door she starts asking me about Mateo. "How'd you meet him?" I roll my eyes at her rhetorical question, "School, where else would I've met him?" She shrugs her shoulders, "I don't know, it was just a question. Don't get an attitude because I can turn this car around and take you back home." She pauses her sentence, letting those last few words linger in the air so I know she's serious. "Anyways," she continues, "how old is he?"

That last question caught me off guard. He's technically three years older than me, so that would make him eighteen while I'm fifteen. "He's seventeen." I'm scared to tell her the truth, so maybe a little lie won't hurt. It's only a year difference, so it's not major. Plus, when she meets him she won't judge him by his age but by his personality.

"Does he make you happy? That's one of the most important things." I smile thinking about how kind and gentle Mateo is with me. His sweet words could make me fall in love with him again if we were in another lifetime. "Of course." I say, sounding like I'm still stuck day dreaming of Mateo's charm.

We finally pull into the park, I grab my bag before getting out the car and hugging my mom goodbye. "Bye sweetie, I'll see you soon! Be safe and text me, okay?" My mom shouts from the car window, waving goodbye. I wave back at her, watching her car as it drives off in the distance. I head over to a bench and sit down, this is where Mateo wanted to meet at. This is the first time hanging out with him outside of school, I just hope I'm not too awkward.