thirty-nine, 𝐬𝐚𝐥𝐦𝐚

1.7K 42 0
                                    

Salma Hyek as Salma Perez

*

*

*

I got out of the awful meeting with my financial advisor about getting $20,000 to pay my boyfriend to do a charity fundraiser. Samantha met up with me after I got back from L.A. about the production of the campaign, logistics, and my payment.

I've been thinking a lot about it, even almost debated calling my mom. But that would make me feel like shit since I really haven't talked to her since I've been in New York. That means, my last option was meeting with a financial advisor to go over my savings. He suggested pulling out a loan, but I was still paying off my college loans--I couldn't fathom seeing my debt go up.

I looked down at the check I had in my hands that blew slightly from the wind. It made me wince seeing all the zeros, so I shoved it safely in my wallet and proceed to walk over to Scoutt, myself, and drop it off. The only good thing out of this stressful day is Timmy flying in for the holidays.

I quickly walked to the glass office that was the cause of all my anxieties. I marched right in there and pulled out the check for Samantha.

"Splendid." she picked up the check examining it.

"See you, happy holidays." I awkwardly waved heading out of the door.

"Ms. Powers," I stopped and turned annoyed, "we're going to need to work on your acting skills." she smirked.

"Of course." I said and really walked out of that place. Samantha's goal when she had to see me was probably make me feel as bad about myself as I could

*

*

*

I was already at Timmy's house talking to his mom and sister. We sat on the couch, the sun was about to set showing it's beautiful colors right out the window behind Nicole. I knew Timothée was close, I'm so excited to try and fit as many coupley Christmas things I could, since we didn't really get December together.

"What are you plans, Magnolia?" Nicole asked me. I kept my face in the same neutral expression, but really I wasn't looking forward to Christmas itself.

"My mom is coming," that's exactly why. "we're just going to spend it at my place, call in food..." I trailed off feeling awkward now that Nicole knows more about my relationship with my mom.

"What do you two normally do?"

"It's just me and her, usually. Um ... she's coming here since she hasn't seen the new store yet." I bit my lip and just looked off to the floor dreading the time alone I was going to have with my mom that was coming up soon.

"Is Timmy going meet her?" by now I was used to Nicole's frequent and layered questions.

"Not sure." I shrugged knowing I haven't asked him yet, "maybe-" I started but was interrupted.

"I'm home!" Timmy called from the front. Butterflies went off in my stomach, as I jumped up with Nicole and Pauline.

We all rushed to the front and excitedly greeted Timmy. I wait patiently my turn,  he came to me up, picked me up almost squeezing the breathe out of me.

"Hello flower." he kissed behind my head and gave me one last squeeze.

*

*

*

I held my torso with one arm while the other supported my head in my chin as I stared out the window. The sun was setting over New York, traffic was busting, and oh my mom was about to land here.

She told me a long time ago about her first time coming to New York in her early twenties, something I'm doing now, but she didn't live here. She came with a few college friends, and they did all the generic tourist things. She also expressed her hatred for large cities.

Timmy came into the living room and assured me meeting my mom was going to be okay. He was coming with me to the airport, but he had no idea I never even mentioned him to her. It was going to be a surprise for everyone, it's not that I wanted to hide it from her, I just had no way of telling her. We've never been that close.

Before I knew it, we were parked outside the airport and I sent her a text that I was here at her gate. I got out of the passanger side with my arms crossed shielding myself from the cold and comforting my anxiety. Soon enough my mom, who was about my height walked over to me rolling the same luggage she's had all my life behind her. I laughed at that and walked towards her with my arms out.

"Hey mom." I said giving her a quick awkward hug.

"Hey." she said back just as awkwardly. I turned back gesturing towards the car.

"Um my boyfriend is here, my secret boyfriend-I'll explain later-he's really nice." I rambled quickly informing her the best I could

"Surprising." she said under her breath. Ugh this is not going to be fun for me, but it's only four days.

Timothée stayed in the car with a huge happy smile that greeted me when I was in the car. He was always such a nice person to talk to, it took a lot of pressure off of me to talk to my mom right now. He turned around to the backseat to greet my mom.

"Hello Mrs. Powers! I'm Timothée Chalamet!" he was excited to meet her, I think deep down he just wanted me to try harder at amending my relationship with her.

"Ah I'm just Ms. Perez, or you can call me Salma." my mom smiled shaking his hand lightly, "You're the secret boyfriend?" she frowned saying it to her self then glanced at me curious of how I got myself in this situation. Timmy turned over and pulled the car out of the parking space.

He chuckled awkwardly before speaking, "I don't know what Magnolia told you, but she's great. I really love having her in my life." he was doing his best and I appreciated that.

"That's very sweet, are you spending the holiday with us?" she asked. I wish.

"No, I'll be at my family's home," he answered then glanced at me, "well... my mom wanted to know if you two wanted to spend it with our family?" he glanced between the two of us and the road. I hated how he sprung the idea on us without giving me a warning, but I liked the idea of not being around my mom alone.

"If it's okay with Magnolia." my mom answered, but really I knew that meant no. I think. My mom wasn't one who liked large gatherings. She was very bitter about being around people, growing up.

"Sure." I shrugged happily. I turned around to check my moms reaction. She sat just the same looking out the window to the city.

Her and Timmy carried the conversation talking about New York, and who he was. He was just as interested in her as well. He made sure to not ask too much about me growing up, since he knew she wasn't there for a lot of it. We pulled up to my apartment just as the sun went down.

"Our dinner starts at 10, kinda late, but we stay up till Christmas. Feel free to come before then." Timmy said as he parked outside. My mom nodded her head, said her goodbyes and got out of the car to get her suitcase. I stayed back to say bye.

"You're mom seems nice." he whispered getting closer to my face.

"She is..." I sighed liking who my mom was now, it's just hard to establish a mother daughter relationship with her now that I'm older and don't really need a mom, "thanks for the invite. I hope our moms get along." I giggled to him.

"I don't doubt it." he puckered his lips out to me and I kissed him quickly getting out of the car. "We have an open guest room by the way, for you and your mom so you don't have to drive back." he held my wrist to stop me from leaving. 

"I wouldn't sleep in your room?" I asked.

"Yeah you can... I've never done that before." he chuckled awkwardly. I just smiled and ran a hand through his hair fluffing it up. I said my goodbye, and walked out of the car.

baked | timothée chalametWhere stories live. Discover now