CHAPTER EIGHT

My eyes are closed but I'm awake. I'm wide awake. I've been up since 3am. I've only had at least four hours of sleep and I know that it isn't good for my health but what can I do? I couldn't find my sleep because I can't stop thinking about the "do-the-project-at-my-house-invited-by-mom" and Steve Hayes the Secret Swiftie. I mean, I'm not thinking about his beautiful and kind chocolate eyes, nor his beautiful long tousled hair that his long fingers love to comb… Wait! Wha–

"Honey, are you awake?" I heard my mom knocked and I couldn't find my voice to answer because I still can't believe that I'm having someone over… for the first time, well aside from my cousin Brianna.

"Honey?" My mom knocked again. I stuffed my face on the pillow and groaned before answering my mom. "Yes mom," I looked at the clock on the bedside table and it's only 7am in the morning. My mom sure is excited for this, "Mom, it's just 7 in the morning!"

My mom opened the door and sat on my bed as soon as she entered my room. I heard her chuckle, "I know, dear. I know it's too early. But uhm," I can sense the hesitation on her voice. I looked up from my pillow with my eyebrows raised at her. "He's already here." My mom said sheepishly. What?! 

"What?! Wha-what do you mean? He-He's here?! As in, Ste–"

"Yes, he's downstairs. Helping your dad with the table for breakfast." WHAT! 

"Mom! You left Steve with Dad?!" I got up from the bed quickly and started rummaging through my clothes and toiletries. "Well, I had to wake you up. Steve got here like 6:30am, while I was getting ready to prepare for breakfast. I was about to wake you but he stopped me, told me to let you sleep more and offered to help on making food." Even without looking, I can sense the smile on my mom's face and I looked at her questioningly and she just shrugged."

"Okay, now, quick. Go shower. We'll be waiting for you downstairs." I sighed and nodded.

Why did he come here so early?! And why am I so nervous? Oh gosh, I can feel my heart beating so darn fast. Aaaarghh!!

♡

I've never showered that quick in my entire life and now, I've been staring at myself in the mirror for ten minutes now. Crap, do I look okay? I'm wearing a long sleeve striped shirt and a black overall, and these clothes are new, yes I haven't worn them. Okay, Elle, are you dressing up for Steve? What! No!! Sshhh! You darn head, stop thinking such things!

I looked at myself in the mirror one more time and nodded to myself. I looked around my room to check if there's something that I missed. Well, it looks clean enough for me. Woah, woah. Wait! It's not like you guys are gonna do your project here… I shook my head. Right, living room, then.

I let out a deep breath before going out of my room and headed downstairs. I can already hear their voices, his voice in particular.

"There she is! Good morning, bub." My dad greeted me with a smile and I saw my mom looked at me with a knowing smile. And there he was, sitting beside a vacant seat which is obviously my spot. He turned his head and smiled at me. "Good morning, Ellie!" He patted the seat beside him and winked at me. My eyes went wide for a bit and I felt my cheeks grew hotter. I looked away from him and mumbled a 'good morning' to everyone before taking my seat. 

Once I seated, I can feel Steve's stolen glances at me. I looked at my mom whose sitting across me and trying to hide her smile. I furrowed my eyebrows at her then I looked at my dad and he raised his eyebrows at me. I closed my eyes for a moment, I can't believe my parents. 

My mom cleared her throat, "Shall we say grace?" We all bow down our heads and held hands. I have my dad on my left hand and Steve on my right hand. I saw my mom peeking at Steve and I's hands and smiled. "Elle? Would you like to lead?" I heard my dad asked.

I cleared my throat, "D-Dear Heavenly Father, we give You thanks for the food and drink You all provide.  May You guide this family…" I glanced at Steve quickly before continuing, "...and w-we also g-give You thanks for bringing a f-friend to join us today…" I felt Steve squeezed my hand, "May we never forget how fortunate and blessed we are. Amen."

"Amen."

"Dig in, everyone." I heard my mom say but Steve's stare is bothering me, so I looked at him with a questioning look and he whispered, "So I'm a friend now, huh?" And I just rolled my eyes as I started eating. Is he, Elle?

♡

"Thank you for breakfast, Mom." I said as soon as I finished my food. "Oh, you're welcome, honey. But Steve here, helped me. Thank you, Steve."

"The pleasure is mine, Mrs. Hernandez." 

"I'll do the dishes then we can start." I said and I started gathering the dishes. "Oh no, honey. It's your off today from morning dishes. I'll do it. You guys focus on you project. Go, go." My mom said, basically shoo-ing us away. I gave my parents a look and they said it'll be fine.

"Okay… Well, we'll be just at the living roo–" But I was cut off by my mom.

"No! You guys work on your room, honey." My mom said trying to hide her cheerful voice which she failed. "Lisa…" My dad giving my mom a warning look. 

"Mom… We'll just do work at the living room."

"Oh no, you can't, honey. I'll be using the living room. I'll be, uhm, I have a scheduled video-call conference today." My mom is such a bad liar. "Mom, you do your conference in the office." I raised my eyebrows at her. 

"Your dad will be using it. Right, Robert?" My dad looked lost. When my dad didn't respond, she nudged him. I saw Steve watching the whole scene with an amused look. I rolled my eyes at them.

"Fine. We'll head upstairs. Let's go, Steve." I said and started walking toward the stairs. 

"Keep the door ope–Ow!" Dad shouted and probably was cut off by mom smacking him. Typical mom. "Jeez, Lisa! Fine! Unlocked, then! Ow!" I heard Steve laughing behind me and I just shook my head.