Dinner

I plopped down on my bed. "Nothing?" Michelle asked as if reading my thoughts. I shook my head while her shoulders slumped. If he really loves me he wouldn't make me wait, I thought grumpily.

My phone vibrated but it was Mark. "Need some company?" I was annoyed. "No thanks. Michelle is keeping me company. I don't think Heather would like it if you came over." I replied.

"What's up with him? He confuses me more." Michelle commented as she lay beside me and read the message too.

"That makes two of us. I just don't want him around right now."

As we were trying to over-analyze everything that's happened today with Raiden, the doorbell rang and I can hear Jason running down the stairs.

"Raiden! I heard him exclaim as he opened the door, Michelle and I looked at each other, our faces lighting up. Michelle was screaming quietly while jumping up and down as I tried to quiet her down. "I want a teddy bear like the one you gave Cassie!" That boy has no shame! "Is that for me?" Please make him stop. I rushed downstairs before he can embarrass me any longer.

I could not explain what I'm feeling. There was definitely excitement and apprehension mixed in with all the other emotions I am feeling.

When I got downstairs Raiden was about to take a seat in the living room, he was holding a box of Ferrero Rocher chocolates and some lilies. He is spoiling me, this one. My mom gave me the 'I like him' look where she raises her eyebrows with a matching half-smirk on her face. "We're about to have dinner, why don't you join us." She invited Raiden, "Michelle is joining us too. Jason please help me add another table setting." As Jason groaned loudly and got up from sitting beside Raiden. I swear, this kid!

"Thank you Mrs. Jensen, I'd love to." He flashed her that charming smile and I knew he got my mom in the bag too.

He then handed me the flowers and chocolate. "I got your message, thank you. I was hoping we can have some time to talk after dinner, perhaps?"

"Thank you, they're beautiful." I said as I smelled the lilies. I love how they smell, it's like our garden back in New York after the rain. "We can take a walk at the park later after dinner." I said.

Dinner was very animated as Jason kept grumbling about how nobody gives him anything cool at all and it's not fair, still referring to the bear and chocolates.

"Why don't you ask your girlfriend to give you cool stuff," I teased.

"Duh! Because I don't have one! And if I have one, I should be giving her stuff!" He sulked and everyone laughed.

"I bet you're gonna eat all the chocolates anyway." I told him in jest.

"You're gonna share?" He asked looking at me like it's Christmas.

"Of course! You're the only one in this house who does not share your goodies."

"I'll get you some tomorrow" quipped Raiden.

"Yay!" Jason is now more vibrant than when we first started dinner.

"You really don'y have to," I protested.

"It's fine." Raiden assured me.

"Stop being such a Debbie Downer Cassie." Jason stuck his tongue at me.

I rolled my eyes at him.

"This is the best pot pie I've ever had Mrs. Jensen." Raiden told my mom. "You should share the recipe with me so I can have Mrs. Kingsley make it for me at home." Then noticing us looking at him he added, "She's our cook." He smiled sheepishly as if that's something to be ashamed about.

"Thank you! I'm glad you liked it. I'll write it down for you."

"A copy for my mom too, please." Piped in Michele who is already in her second helping. My mom laughed. "You guys are always welcome to eat here I don't get a lot appreciation from these two." She joked as she referred to me and Jason.

"We do love your cooking mom, you're the best!" I assured her.

After dinner, we helped her clear the table as Michelle asked to take her leave. It wasn't too much work because we finished the whole pie and mom was happy because there's no leftovers. Nobody likes to eat leftovers in this house and it's always her finishing it off. Most of the time, she would bring it to her office to share with her co-workers just to get rid of it. She asked Jason to help her with the dishes as I told her that I'm taking a walk in the park with Raiden.

I ran upstairs to get my jacket and I also took the opportunity to put on some cologne and lip gloss. I wanted to wash my face but that will be too obvious that I'm primping and I don't want him to wait too long.