Ch26

NOVA

After what happened with my mom and Noah last night, and after the text I sent Caleb... I don't know. I'm feeling pretty good about myself this morning. I'm not even fucking joking. I fucking devoured the avocado toast mom made me for breakfast and I'm actually humming my head right now to a rap music blasting through mom's speaker in her car.

"You feeling good baby?" Mom looks at me. Her smile is infectious. I return it with mine, nodding my head and moving my leg to the beat of the song.

"That's what I'm talking about. You should feel this good everyday. I like the energy today. Anything different?"

I don't know if I should tell her or not. I basically don't tell my mom everything, but I do tell her some basic things that I feel she's supposed to know. Like this. I'm sure she'd be super excited for me.

I just... I just don't trust her enough to keep it from Noah and Enzo or Dad. Emphasis on my father. He detests extracurriculars and would make me change schools if he knew about his.

"Will you tell me or..."

"I got an invite to join a sorority. Mom, I'm so excited." I literally jump in my seat, squealing a little. This is me putting all my emotions here and making this look believable.

Believe me or not, my mom may not be the best mom ever but she's actually very invested in the way I feel and that's why when she had to agree with dad about me not changing schools, I could see how that hurt her.

"You really did...?" She looks elated, as she should.

"Yes mom. It's sick, isn't it? I just got to school that day and she came to me and asked me to join."

"I don't want to ruin your mood, baby... But I feel like that is so not you."

Great. Just succeeded in ruining my fucking mood. Same exact thing you didn't want to do.

"I feel like you wouldn't trade being in the media department for any other thing."

"Priorities change. And mom, seriously? How could you even say that to me? After the disaster I caused... I'm never looking at journalism the same way again."

Mom sighs. "I love you so much baby. And I'm gonna be happy for you no matter what you do. But... you must finish your education and get a good job."

I literally roll my eyes so hard at her famous statement. "You and dad didn't finish school. Who's making millions of money now?"

"Hush. Education is important and I wished I'd learned about it sooner. Oh... here we are. Have a great day, baby."

I blow her a kiss. "You too mom."

Stepping into the school today feels different. I'm a little confident in my walking with my head held up so high, my shoulders squared.

But the confidence turns to a pile of mush when I spot Caleb. Of course, he can look like that. I'm staring at this guy like a creepy stalker as he converses with the girl in front of him. She's smiling and he's returning her smiles with cheesier ones.

For some reasons better left unexplored, I don't feel okay with him smiling at another girl. Does that make me sound petty? I guess it does.

I tear my gaze away from the sight, muttering under my breath. I yank my locker open and peer into it, bringing out a book. I jump as the locker closes with a loud thud.

Bethany is smiling in my face when I open my eyes.

"That was not funny." I glare at her, determined to wipe that silly ass smile off her face.

"I thought it was." She grins some more.

"Oh Bethany. You've got to stop sneaking around on me. Good morning to you too, though."

Bethany nods, her lips spread out in a knowing smile. What now? What has she learned?

"He's talking to another girl right now." Bethany says.

I nod. "I have eyes. I can see." I retort.

"Obviously. She's trying too hard to get this attention."

I can't help but raise my head to take one more look. "Well, whatever she's doing... it's working." I reply nonchalantly.

"And you don't care if she snatches him?"

"He was never mine to begin with."

"Yes but he's shown interest in you? I don't fucking know. Word on the street is that you got in his car yesterday?"

"I don't know what to do now, okay? Obviously I've never been this interested in a guy I just met. Who am I even kidding? You know what it's like to have a big brother. I mean, your's was here until the new school year. This is my first time getting this much attention from a guy and I don't want to fuck it up just because of your task."

Bethany sighs. "You don't fall for that guy no matter what you do, got me? If you catch feelings for him, it'd be a lot harder breaking up with him. So... let's be real and let's just be flirty." She looks at me all over. "You do look nice. I love the boho skirt on you."

I glance down at the large flowing skirt, shaking my head. "What do you want me to do?"

"I want you to be more flirty. Just go over and talk to him. He doesn't bite. Be bold and eye contact is great. Guys love great eye contact. That's not gonna be a problem, is it?"

I'm trying to figure out an answer when I hear the deep, rich voice.

"There she is." Caleb says, holding my gaze as he approaches me.

"Hi," I say, words suddenly leaving my head.

"Where you going to come over and say good morning or... did I behave so badly yesterday that you didn't want to have anything to do with my ass?"