Chapter 9 - Alexia

I met with Luke, and I'll admit, he was gorgeous. With that white shirt and khaki's, he looked like a model. A really cute model.

We talked, and I was surprised to hear Luke's advice. I definitely did not expect him to say that. I actually thought he would just nod. But he was better than that.

After saying goodbye, I walked home. But I first stopped at Body Shop to get some shampoo, since mine was about to finish. I bought a Vanilla scented one this time.

I got home ten minutes later. I took off my shoes, put down my bag, and sat at the table.

"Hey, pumpkin," my mom said.

"Hi," I said, still thinking about Luke's advice.

"Did you have fun with your friends?"

"Yeah, it was nice. We… talked."

"Talked?" she asked curiously.

"Yeah. He gave me some advice."

"He? Wait, hold on. How many were you?" she insisted

"Just two, mom! Me and him!" I thundered.

"Ooooh! What's his name?" she asked, clearly amused.

"It's none of your business!" I hissed. I turned to look at her, but her playful face made me spill. "Luke," I said.

My mom laughed. "So. How is he?" she asked mischievously.

I couldn't take it any longer. "I'm going upstairs. Bye."

I heard my mom complain, but I kept walking. I felt bad, but you know how moms can make you feel embarrassed, just like that?

Yeah, me too.

I changed into something a bit more comfortable, then emptied my bag.

"Lunch is ready!" my mom called from downstairs.

"Coming!" I yelled.

I ran down, realizing just then how hungry I was. I sat at the table, where a plate of vegetables awaited me. Yum.

"The chicken is still cooking," my mom informed me, "But you can start eating your green stuff."

With pleasure. I thought.

I dug in, eating everything within 5 minutes. I love vegetables. And fruits. They're my favorite part of the whole meal.

When the chicken was ready, my mother called me. I brought my plate in the kitchen, got some food, then went back to the dining room. It was all delicious. I was surprised that my mother didn't ask me to talk about Luke during the meal.

After I was done, I washed my plate, fork, and knife, then I wanted to go back upstairs to finish my homework. I know I'm supposed to do them on Friday, but I was lazy yesterday. Sorry.

I was about to leave when my mother suddenly spoke. "Do you like him?"

I froze.

"I don't want to talk about it, mom," I said. "I have some stuff to do."

I was working on some French homework, but that question kept popping into my mind.

Do you like him?

I tried to push the thought away. I had to focus. But after a few minutes, I would think about it again. I couldn't concentrate anymore after that. Mom had asked a question I didn't know the answer to, and now I couldn't keep it out of my head.

Did I have feelings for Luke? Probably.

Did I like him? Maybe.

I couldn't even think straight anymore, so I gave up on French and decided to go for a walk. I went to Palisades Park, on Ocean Avenue. I walked for about an hour, all the while thinking at that annoying question.

At 4.17 P.M, when I got home, my mother was still in the kitchen baking some chocolate chip cookies.

"Honey!" she exclaimed when she saw me, "Where were you? I thought you were in your room!" She laughed a bit. "That probably makes me the worst mother ever," she joked.

"That is not true at all," I said, trying to comfort her, "I just went for a walk."

"Okay," she said simply.

After telling her to call me when the cookies were ready (she knows they're my favorite) I went upstairs to my room.

"Hi, sis!" I heard someone yell. I turned around and saw Tom, who was holding a small Spider-Man action figure.

Tom is my little brother. He's 5 years old, so he only goes to kindergarten. Lucky.

"Hey, Tommy." I paused, "What are you doing with that?" I pointed at the action figure.

"We're going to go save the world!" he said happily. "Dr. Octopus is really, really crazy, and wants to kill everyone! So Spider-Man has to teach him a lesson!"

I giggled. My little bro was so funny sometimes. "Okay, tell Spider-Man that if he needs any help, he can call me," I joked.

"No! Spider-Man can do it alone!" Tom said, enraged.

"I'm kidding!" I said quickly.

See, my brother is a bit of ADHD. He can't stop moving. He changes from happy to furious in less than three seconds. He's always at full energy. It's exhausting.

So, yeah. When I told him to calm down, he freaked.

"SPIDER-MAN CAN DO IT ALONE!" he yelled.

"OKAY!" I screamed back, and Tom just looked at me. Then we both burst out laughing. That was our way. Get pissed, then laugh it off.

The rest of the afternoon was pleasant. I was able to finish my homework, I read, then played with Tommy a little bit. Only after dinner did I look at my phone.

Luke (5 messages)

I froze. Why was Luke texting me? The only time I had texted him was when I told him I was ready. But that's it. We have never texted. Not really.

I put my password in and entered WhatsApp. I then clicked on my chat with Luke.

Hey

Have you finished all your homework already?

Because I don't really know Santa Monica, and I kind of need a guide.

But only if you have time.

Thanks.

Was Luke asking me out?