The Richardsons

Video #11

"When you hear the question, "what is love?" What do you think about? Surely, by now, you either have a boyfriend or maybe even girlfriend by your side. Most kids grew up with the typical family story, either Cinderella or Beauty and the beast. Honestly, for now, love is the least of my worries."

I'm not a hopeless romantic like most people are, in fact, romance in public actually makes me squeamish. Not that I hate the thought of love, I just think I'm not a romantic type.

I started thinking about this when Cassie came to our table holding a romance novel. Cassie is an example of somebody who loves love. She dreams of one day finding her one true love and living her fairytale life. Adrian, he's not hopelessly romantic, but he's not a stone cold individual like me (hehe).

"You guys should read this book! It's actually based off of a manga that I read in middle school!" Cassie put the book down for the two of us to see.

"Yasashi Kokoro No Ai"

"It means 'Love of a Tender Heart' in Japanese. And it had such a sappy storyline and dialogue that seemed super cliche but had a surprise twist at the end. I love it!" Cassie held the book towards her.

I forgot to mention that Cassie loves a lot of things. Especially traveling and Asian culture, she also likes Korean Pop and Anime. She started to like Kpop after one day, a Girls Generation music video came on the Tv at middle school, somebody hijacked the TV.

She starts to blab on with whatever she says, often dragging her sentences or talking about love and dreaming about scenarios that probably only happen in movies. We just giggle at her, she has a wide imagination, that's for sure.

"Oh! I forgot I was holding this!" She finally passes the book to us and we start to read the back cover.

"Ayane Mizaki is used to being a schoolteacher, but what happens when her old high school crush walks into her life? After a traumatic accident leaves Kotaro Taro in a wheelchair, will sparks fly between them? Or will it just be one sided like it always was?"

After we read it, Cassie looks up at us with a smile.

"So, what do you think? Does it sound interesting? I hope you guys like it, it's one of my favorite stories ever! I read it at least once a year!"

It honestly does sound interesting, most of the stories that Cassie brings are the run of the mill love stories that are set in the same place. You know, two high schoolers that are either friends or total opposites either bump into each other or slowly fall in love with each other, but somebody or something always gets in the way, but they end up happy. Cassie hates bad and sad endings, to me, they're way more realistic and interesting.

One time, I borrowed a book called "Raven" and it seemed like your run of the mill love story, but there was such a twist that even the most observant person never even saw coming. Let's just say that Cassie didn't speak to me for a week after that.

After school, I'm surprised that Alexa was waiting for me in front of her car. She jangled her keys in her right hand.

"You're late, as always."

I roll my eyes. Most of time, she is often the impatient one or the one being late.

When I walk closer to her, I notice a mark on her neck.

Is it a hickey? Looks like it.

Alexa saw me looking at her neck and she covered it with her jacket.

"If you tell mom what you saw, I swear I will make you walk home."

"Pffft, this is only a 5 minute walk."

Alexa almost stopped the car, but she somehow managed to control her anger on me.

When we got home, Mom was reading a book at the kitchen bar when she heard us.

"Alexa! Kat! How was school?"

"Fine." Alexa walked up to her room without another word.

I just look at her and go sit next to Mom.

"How was school, Kat?"

"Good."

My mom gave me a smirk all of a sudden.

"Do you have a boyfriend or a guy you are crushing on right now?"

I give her a slight giggle.

"No."

"Well, when I was your age, I met your father and we started to date. It's ok to tell me these things, I'm your mother." Her tone sounded warm and giggly.

"Nah, I'm just focusing more on my studies." I tell her.

"Hey, it's ok to live your life. Even your older sister has a boyfriend."

"What do you think about him? Be honest with me, mom."

Her smile faded a little.

"Well, he seems like a great guy, but......" she stopped talking.

She whispered something in my ear.

"Can we move somewhere else? Your older sister might hear us?"

"Of course."

We quietly leave the dining room and Mom and I head to a Starbucks down the road. We each order a drink and we sit down at a table.

"You want to know what I really think about Chance Prince? Total D bag and so so cocky. He's good looking, yes. But, although he has manners, he can not take criticism very well. He is the type of guy that will puff his chest out and make himself seem like a macho man. Personally, I'm surprised that he never cheated on Alexa. And let's not get started on Jessica Lee. I can't STAND that girl. How can Alexa even bear with her? But, luckily, you make great choices in friends, they seem like the type of people that have your back."

I felt so refreshed at hearing my mother speak to me like that. Times like these, I normally never get with my mother, but I'm elated that we get to spend this quality time together, in our busy schedules and busy lives.