Invisible String |

Chapter Five

I didn't realize how long it had been since I dressed night until I was standing in front of my dresser attempting to find anything that wasn't sweatpants or leggings. I selected a pair of jeans I hadn't worse since before I was pregnant with Aleida, not to my suprise, they didn't fit. I sighed and pulled out a pair of black leggings, and a white long sleeve v neck. It showed more skin than I'd showed in a while. I shrugged. I french braided my hair as well. Around my neck, I clasped my favorite necklace, a small sparkly "A" on a silver chain. I even fished out my makeup bag, applying mascara and a little concealer, and pink lipgloss. It wasn't much, but for me it was the most effort I'd put in since before Aleida. Since after Cesar. I dressed Aleida in a little red sweater, and white pants as well as a gold bow I wrapped around her head. She looked adorable. This was also the most effort I'd put into her outfits. I grabbed a bag of chips from the cupboard and slung aleidas diaper bag over my shoulder, not sure how long I would be there. As I stepped out of my door I felt strangely self conscious. Like I was doing something I hadn't in almost a year, doing something for myself. I walked the six feet across the hallway and raised my hand to knock. Moments later the door swung open. He stood there, wearing jeans and a black long sleeve. I noticed how defined his body looked under the tight shirt, and laughed inwardly. 

"Hey Alena." He said, stepping aside so I could walk in.

"Hey, how are you?" I asked, awkwardness hanging in the air. 

"I'm good, just finishing up dinner." He said smiling. I glanced around the apartment, it was clean, too clean. But he had just moved in. On the table there were two bowls of spaghetti. Having a hot meal was something I hadn't had for years. He set a bowl down in front of me at the table, a salad, garnished with apples, cheese, avacodos, and tomatoes. I smiled. He said down garlic bread as well. I loved garlic bread. From the fridge he grabbed a bottle of wine, pouring me a glass. I realized I wasn't sure how old this man was.

"I'm technically not allowed to drink. I'm only nineteen." I muttered, almost 20. 20 in a week matter a fact. 

"Your a single mom with no help, I think you deserve a glass of wine.." He said. I laughed awkwardly, it was nice to laugh again though. 

"Thank you." I said, taking a sip. 

"I made some pasta and such, we can always have something else if you don't like it, I wasn't sure what you liked." He said, sitting down across from me. I adjusted Aleida in my arms.

"No, no this is fantastic, I haven't had a homecooked meal in.. a long time." I say softly. He nodded smiling. 

"Well good, my backup plan was to order a pizza and we could watch some TV or something." He said, chuckling a bit. I laughed. I adjusted Aleida in my arms again, eating with her wasn't something I'd taken into consideration. Noah watched me with intent. 

"How old is she?" He asked. I took a sip of my wine again. Hoping it would calm my gangling nerves.

" Two months, almost three." I said smiling, I'd always smile if it meant I got to talk about my baby girl. I looked at him now.

"So, tell me about you? Other than being my personal savior what do you like? What do you do for work?"

"I'm a photographer, freelance. I travel a lot, to take photos. I do families, and weddings, newborn, etc." He said, gesturing to the wall behind him, featuring sunsets, and mountain views." I nodded. 

"You took all of these?" I asked a little bit in awe. He nodded.

"I did. Do you like them?"

"Yeah." I said, nodding slowly. "There really pretty, artistic even." I said. He nodded. A smile of pride gracing his lips softly. I sighed, taking another sip of wine, I was tired, I forgot how tired Alcohol made me, or maybe that was just single motherhood.