That was the Sophia I had wanted to talk to. I turned again to face Vince. His face was unreadable, and that’s what I hated the most, as quick as his walls came down, they could also but quickly put back up.
“Why did she leave Vince? Kate said she left after the game, what happened?”
He looked hurt for a second and shrugged it off. “It’s no big deal, let’s just drop it.”
I was hurt that he wouldn’t tell me, but I had talk to her anyway. I didn’t want to bombard Vince with questions he wasn’t ready to answer. Some things I would have to find out myself.
“Now let’s get down to business shall we?” Vince said while smirking.
If I hadn’t known any better it would seem as if he wants to get back at his friends.
“Alright, first off how much does Corey like this Angel girl?”
“Must be a good bit, he’s been taking her out for a few months or so.”
“He seems like the jealous type.” I stated while swiveling in the chair.
“What do you have planned Mel?” He seemed like he was dying to know.
“Do you have her number?”
“Yeah hold on, I let me find it.” He grabbed his phone out of his pocket and scrolled for her number.
He read off the digits as I typed them in my phone, I saved her under my contacts and planned on talking to her later.
“Alright here’s my plan.” I began, “I am going to tell her I want to prank Corey, have her meet up with another guy at the same place he takes me tomorrow. He will be crazy jealous and leave me for Angel, he is then eliminated from the game.”
Vince snorted, “Yeah it can’t be that easy.”
“Think about it Vince.”
He did, he sat up on his bed and seemed to look through the plan.
“Why would she participate?” He asked.
“Easy, every girl wants to be asked out, and she must like him if they have been going on dates for a few months, I’m giving him the push he needs.”
He seemed surprised that it all made sense. He waited obviously trying to make sure there weren’t any holes in my plan. “What if Corey doesn’t get jealous?”
I looked over at Vince, “He would be wasting his time taking her out on so many dates then.”
“Fine, it seems to be a pretty good idea, just set it up.”
Just then my phone buzzed and it had happened to be my mother.
Coming home tonight for dinner, hope to spend some time with you xoxo
I smiled, it had been about a week since I last seen her. I quickly typed back a response.
Okay can’t wait; I will be home soon at a friend’s house. Xoxo
Vince looked at me with a funny face; it hadn’t really occurred to me that I would be smiling like a fool. I had missed my mother she was my best friend, and sometimes her working so much made it hard for us to see each other.
“Sorry Vince, I have to go. My mother’s coming home tonight and I haven’t seen her in awhile.” He gave me an understanding look and nodded his head.
I got up from his chair and started to head out. Vince quickly got up and followed me out down the stairs. I had reached the door just in time for Sandy to walk past and wave goodbye.
“See you later Mel, it was a pleasure meeting you darling.” She smiled as she went back into the kitchen.
“It was great meeting you as well.” I said back to her.
I turned to leave but Vince held the door shut for a second before spinning me around. He looked me dead in the eye. “Text me where you guys meet up tomorrow, I will be there in case anything bad happens, got it?”
I rolled my eyes once again, Vince could be the over protective brother bear, not that I minded having back up. I nodded my head and looked back up at him. “I’ll send you the details tonight once I get it figured out okay?”
He shook his head and opened the door to let me leave. He grabbed his keys and we left to get in his car.
Within a few minutes we were back at my house. My mother was already home, she must have gotten lucky to come home this early. I was about to get out of the car when Vince stopped me.
“Mel?” He asked.
I stopped and looked back at him. “Yeah?”
“I had a fun time today.”
“I did to Vince, thank you. Spying on people at museums and eating tacos is an ideal date.” He smiled and leaned back over into his seat. I shut the door and walked up my driveway and into my house. As I opened the door I could see my mother sitting on the couch.
I walked over to where she was sitting and took a seat beside her. She looked tired, she was exhausted from work. She would never complain about work though, she loved her firm, and was very proud for the years she struggled to get where she was. I took in her sight; she had her dark brown hair in a ponytail and her reading glasses on. She had pulled on a pair of shorts and a simple tank top, yet she looked amazing. I truly did miss her, she was my best friend, and now that she was working all the time it was hard to not have her by my side.
I hugged her closely and she hugged me back.
“I missed you darling.” She whispered into my ear.
Tightening my grip on her as if she would leave any second I whispered back. “I missed you to Mom.”
She pulled away and smiled.
“So, who were you with?” She prodded quickly.
My mother wasn’t like most teenage girls mothers. She was a mother when she needed to be, trusting me to be responsible, and a best friend for gossip. I smiled; of course she was curious who I had been with.
“That was Vince.”
She wiggled her eyebrows suggestively. “Oh I seen, he looks delicious!! Now please give me some details!”
I laughed, my typical mother. “No Mom it isnt like that, we are just friends.” She looked disappointed for a minute.
“Oh.” She said. “What about the neighbor boys?”
“They are great; we hang out a good bit.”
She sat upright so her legs were crossed and she was facing me. I did the same pulling my legs up leaning on the couch so we could face each other.
“Are you interested in any boys?” She asked eagerly.
Before we moved I had never had a boyfriend. I didn’t have the time or energy like most girls. I worked my ass off to get where I was, and I wanted nothing more than to be by my mother’s side. I had left my childhood behind and quickly grew up into the person my mother needed me to be. The boys at school weren’t interested in me, yeah they were nice, but they weren’t interested. Nor did I want them to be, getting my heart broken by some boy wasn’t something that was on my agenda.
So my mother never did get to meet any guys. I knew she wanted me to have a normal teenage life and not miss out on anything. I
“No Mom.” I chuckled lightly while rolling my eyes.
“Sure.” She replied. “Not yet, but I like that Vince boy, I better see him around.”
“Of course, I will invite him over some day, I will also invite everyone else as well, that way you can meet them all.”
She smiled and looked like she was about to cry. I leaned over and pulled her into a hug.
“What’s wrong Mom?” I whispered into her ear.
“Nothing, it’s just that I’m so glad you made friends, you never had the chance to be a normal teenage girl. Now here you are being strong and independent, I’m sorry I’m not here more often.”
“It's okay, I am so proud of you, you love your job. I never want you to give up what you worked so hard for.” It was the truth, and I had meant every word.
By this time we had both been crying, we were more like sisters than anything. She pulled back wiping away her tears.
“I want to spend the night with you, I have to leave again tomorrow, so let’s make some dinner and have a movie night.”
“I would love to.” I said, “But first let me get changed into something comfier.” She nodded and I left for my room.