I watch Emma as she knocks on Leon's room door. I show her my puppy dog eyes, and she continues the mission as Leon opens his door. "Hey, can you like, please drop Aurora home? There's no one and no station open to take her," Emma asked. Leon gives me a quick look and replies, "Uhh, fine. Okay. "I kiss Emma on the cheek and grab my things before heading to Leon's car. Surprisingly, Leon walks out with his keys and helps me carry my bags. I get into the car and immediately put on my headphones to avoid small talk. Leon enters the car, stares at me for a few seconds, then starts the engine.
Our journey begins. I gaze out the window. I turn my head a little and see Leon trying to talk to me, so I take off my headphones. "Umm, what is it?" I ask. "Can we actually talk about what happened?" Leon says. I giggle. "Can we not fcking do that? It's embarrassing. For me, even for you,*" I say. Leon pulls up to my wonderful destination. "Thanks, yeah, for dropping me off. But don't talk to me ever again if you know you're gonna mess with my feelings," I say shamelessly. Leon shouts my name as I flip him off. I spot Marcus at the window smirking, and walk into my house. I see my parents cooking in the kitchen and happily greet them — they are my joy. "So can anyone explain to me why the neighbours are having dinner in our home today?" I ask.
"Well, our neighbours helped your mom win a case, so obviously we had to invite them," my dad says. "Wowww, I am so proud of you, Momsie! Well, I guess we should celebrate with them." I head upstairs, drop my bags, then come back down and help set the table, putting on chill bossa nova music. "Honey, please go change. They're coming in an hour or so — go and look presentable," Mom says."Uhh, that won't be a problem. I have a good dressing style," I reply. My mom laughs. "Sure, just go," she says. I run up and change into a cute short dress with little flowers on it, straighten my hair, and apply the necessary things to look cute in front of our neighbours.
The doorbell rings. I come down and see my parents — looking teww fine for this world — open the door. I see Marcus, his younger brother, and their parents walk in, all smiles and bubbly energy. I didn't expect this idiot to attend this lovely event. I greet them with kindness and direct them to the dining table. My parents take over, engaging in small talk with Marcus's parents and sibling, leaving me alone with Marcus. I assume they did that 'cause they know we're the same age.
I sit on the couch and start scrolling on my phone. "I didn't expect you to dress up so nicely for me, cariño," Marcus says. "Sorry, I dressed up for myself — not your ugly ass, okay? Also, why do you keep disturbing me? Don't you have other girls to entertain?" I ask. Marcus sits closer while answering, "Well, no one captivates me like you do." Is he really serious or just trying to win me over…? "Uhh, just leave me be, okay?" I say, stupidly. "Aurora, even you know very well — no puedo dejarte sola," Marcus says. "Huh? What does that mean? I don't know big words, you idiot."
Before I can continue arguing, my mom calls us over to eat. I sit beside Marcus since I have no choice. We start with some small talk, then we all pray. My dad helps dish out food for our guests, while I help pass water and juice. Each and every one of us begins to eat the delicious food my mama made. "You guys look so close! How are things in school?" Marcus's mom asks. "Well, um, things are great. We're not that close, but we're becoming great friends," I say, fake smiling at her as I step on Marcus's foot to help sell the act. "Yeah, yeah, we are," Marcus says.
I keep eating — until I feel someone's leg caressing mine. I look down and see Marcus doing this stupid and silly thing. I glare at him, and he just looks away. How dare he?! "So Marcus, would you like to tell us about your ideal dreams and goals?" my dad asks. "I want to be in the NBA, and I want to study Physical Education with Business as a minor," Marcus says. "Wow, such wonderful goals for someone as clueless as a goat," I whisper. "Huh? What did you say?" Marcus asks, turning toward me. "Don't try me this evening, Marcus," I warn. "Mmm, I like it when you're feisty. Makes it more tempting to tease you and rile you up," Marcus replies.
"You're so disgusting," I say, finishing my dinner and heading to the sink to wash the dishes. I hear Marcus offering to collect the empty dishes from the table while our parents continue chatting. He brings them to the counter and says, "You know, you can't treat your fellow guest like this. It hurts their feelings." I look at him, annoyed. "Just be grateful I'm even talking to you," I say as I rinse the plates, then go back to the couch. Marcus follows and sits beside me.
"Why do you even hate me? Like, I'm so hot, and kind, and loved by all. But you — you seem so repulsed by me," he says. I move closer to him. "First of all, I'm not like all girls. And second of all, you need to chill out with being such an ugly narcissist. You're harming society with all your bullsh*t," I say, staring him down.
Marcus blinks, clearly not expecting me to roast him that hard. Good. He leans back into the couch, trying to play it cool, but I can see that little smirk tugging at his lips. "Harming society? Damn, Aurora, you sound like a PSA," he says, laughing softly. "Well, someone needs to say it. I'm doing the world a favor," I shoot back, crossing my arms. He leans closer again, a bit too close, his cologne mixing with the scent of jollof rice still lingering in the air. Ugh. Why does he have to smell so annoyingly good? "You know," he says, voice low now, "you don't hate me as much as you pretend to." I roll my eyes so hard they nearly fall out. "You keep saying that like it's some big revelation. Newsflash: I'm a great actress." "Oh really? Then how come you blushed when I walked in?" he teases. "Excuse me? Blushed?" I laugh out loud, actually laugh. "Please, I was cringing internally. It takes effort to pretend to be civil around you."