I watched as Mom almost spat out her pasta, and Becca looked at us both with mad eyes.

"What?"

"You clearly don't live here alone, and by the looks of things, a man lives here too."

She nodded, lowering her cutlery. "You're right, I don't live here alone. The place belongs to a friend of mine, and he lives here part time, but I'm normally home alone anyways because he works a lot, in different places."

"Were you not going to tell us?" I asked. I understand if she wants to date but shouldn't we at least know if she's living with someone?

"It's not like that Theodore- I wasn't hiding it, his stuff is all around you."

"Do we get to meet him?" Becca asked eagerly, almost like she was excited.

"I think he might be coming home some time today but only briefly. Your pasta's going cold."

"I'm not hungry."

Today's trip was nothing like I expected. I thought maybe I could come over to a crappy, half empty, three-room apartment and have a cup of coffee with mom and talk to her about sports or movies or whatever. But no, nothing is ever that simple for my family. There's always one or five bombshells dropped every time we get together.

Mom managed to distract Rebecca and change the subject but my mind was still wandering and throbbing. I wanted to call Camila, or just get out of here altogether, but I don't know how long Bec's staying in town for and I only just got here.

"Can I use the restroom?" Rebecca excused herself.

"Sure, first door on the left."

I pushed a few pieces of food around the plate, trying to force myself to eat something.

"Theo, honey? Have you been considering, maybe staying with me sometime?"

I have. I really have. But I don't think she's as lonely as I thought, and I don't fancy living with her mystery boy toy.

"I don't know, Mom."

"Can I at least show you the room?"

"Sure."

I let her guide me down the hall to satisfy her. I don't want to be rude, and frankly I'd love to live with her. But only her.

"It's quiet empty but if you want to stay I can get more things, and you could also bring your own.."

The room was smaller than my current one but spacious due to the emptiness. There was a large double bed with plain black sheets, and a small, white bed side locker. A matching white desk was parallel to the bed, with a tall, slim wardrobe to match.

I stepped into the room, looking around better before I noticed what was on the desk.

"I wondered where that went." I chuckled, picking up the photo frame perched on it.

I glanced back at Mom leaning on the doorframe, her eyes glistening with a smile on her face.

I put down the picture as stepped towards her, wrapping my arms around her.

"Thank you, Mom."

Two hugs in one day is definitely a bit much for me, but seeing the way Mom was made me tolerate it. "Maybe I can come over tomorrow, after school?"

"Yes, definitely, whenever you want to, you can."

We were interrupted when we heard the door unlock and swing open. "Honey, I'm home!"

"Hey, Camila."

"Hi."

I sheepishly climbed into Matt's car, unsure of what to say. There's only so many topics when it comes to small talk.

"How are you?"

"I'm alright, you?"

"I'm okay."

"What've you been up to?"

"Homework, drawing, shopping... you?"

"Working. And I went to Joey's yesterday."

"Cool."

Cool?

"Yeah."

He pulled out of my estate and headed to Lacey's.

"Look- I'm sorry if I was too forward the other night."

"It's okay-" come on Camila you can do it. "Well actually, it wasn't... I still barely know you-"

"Yeah, no, I get it."

"You seem cool and I'd like to still be friends, if that's okay?"

"Um, yeah, 'course." His smile relieved me. Even if it is fake, he got the message.

We pulled up outside and headed inside, "Same as last time?"

"Sure."

*

"Me too!"

I found myself getting along even better with Matt. I wasn't scared to say the wrong thing or if my hair looked good. We were starting to actually be friends.

We carried on simple conversations, talking about movies and holidays and music, all without the addition of flirting.

"Hey, what time is it?"

"Ten past five."

"Shit! Zoe wants me home for dinner."

"What time?"

"Ten minutes ago..."

"I'll drive fast, tell her it was traffic."

He shrugged, getting up off the bench.

"Sounds like a plan."

We sped back to my house, and if we took a main road he'd probably get a ticket.

"Thanks for today."

"No problem. See you tomorrow?"

"Yeah, bye Matt."

"Bye."

I rushed in the door, "I'm back!"

I've never seen Zoe run faster, as she darted down the stairs. "How was it?"

"I told him I want to be friends."

"Thank god!" She sighed. "I couldn't tell if you were going to friend zone or fuck him."

"Ouch?"

"Just saying."

"Have you texted Theo?"

"I will."

"Guess who texted me?"

"The Greek god?"

"You know it." She pulled out her phone, typing and scrolling before showing me the screen.

* Thanks again for last night, I had a great time ;) *

* No, thank you. I had a great time too. *

* Would you be free to do it again sometime? *

* I'm not off work until Thursday... *

* Thursday it is then :) *

* I'll be there :) *

"Not bad Zoe." I smiled, "Will you not see him at work later?"

"Oh shit! I forgot about that. Should I talk to him?"

"Only if you cross paths, don't search for him."

"Okay. I'm gonna go finish getting ready, dinner's in the oven."

"Thank you. Oh, and don't get fired because you were caught screwing in the staff bathrooms."

"No promises." She smirked, disappearing back upstairs while I pulled out my phone to text Theo.

*Hey, how's everything going? Tell your mom I said hi.*

I can't tell if getting no response was a good or bad thing, he must have his phone on silent.

And now, I just wait.