Mat decided to stick around no matter how many times I told him that my mom and I will just take a cab but he still insisted.

I don't blame him, he's starting to make an effort on winning me back but I still refused to go out with him. I still need more time, to fix myself. And I really mean it.

My mom will stay at my place for the next two weeks to hangout with me and to help Tori prepare for baby Andy's christening next week. She's also kind of excited to see my new apartment too, and besides I'm pretty lonely living there by myself.

I know it's weird because I have been living on my own ever since I came here in New York but right after Mat and I ended everything. I kinda hate being alone in an apartment already. So it's really nice to have her around.

Mat is following me right now as I wave to my mom hopping out of the blue bus. She waved back!

I greeted her with a tight hug. I kinda need it right after my heart to heart talk with Mat at the his car earlier.

"It's nice to see you mom."

"I miss you too honey!"

"Hello, Mrs. Kaufman." Mat who's standing right next to me greeted and my mom gave him a hug too.

I catched him looking so surprise and he even stared at me right after my mom releases him. He's completely wondering and I definitely know why.

He maybe thinks that my parents already know what happened between us but the truth is I haven't mentioned anything to them.

"It's nice to see you both!" My mom said in her usually enthusiastic voice when she sees me around a guy.

"I'll help you with your luggage." Mat said.

"Come on mom. Let's get you in the car." I said.

"Will you give me one sec?" My mom said. "I rode the bus with Mrs. Hethman I'll just have to say goodbye first."

I nodded. When my mom walks away Mat didn't waste his time to ask me.

"She doesn't know?"

"I will tell her later." I replied.

-

Mat drops us in my apartment and after he bid his goodbye. Curiosity was then painted on my mom's face.

"Are you guys have been fighting?"

"No." I said. "Come on, let's get inside."

I know my mom doesn't believe me. But that was the truth, we're not fighting. We just happen to be over.

The whole ride was just her talking and Mat was just there driving and just occasionally talks.

I know she addresses the elephant in the car earlier, so I'm definitely not surprised. But all in all she has to know what's going on here.

When we finally reach my apartment and she started to relax on the couch she finally broke the silence.

"You're kind of not in the mood Jade." My mom started. "What's bothering you?"

"You." I said. "Want something to drink?"

"Let's go to your kitchen and let's make some tea." My mom suggested.

As I helped my mom feel comfortable around my kitchen she started the conversation right away.

"What do you mean about me bothering you, Jade?" My mom asked handling me the mug.

I played on the teabag for like five seconds first right before answering.

I inhaled, and exhaled the next words that came out from my mouth. "Mat and I were over."

Obviously, she's surprised.

"Why?"

"It didn't work out." That's the only thing I told her, I don't want Mat to look like a bad man in front of my parents because I know that he is not. I can't afford to see my parents look at my man with distaste or maybe mistrust.

Mat is still my man, I'm just going to say it. But I just need more time to fix myself and be a worthy woman for him.

"Why it didn't work out?" She asked again. "And why did he gave us a ride earlier?"

I sighed. I can't lie to her, and besides Mat is trying to win me back so maybe I can use her advise right?

Finally, despite of my anxiousness. I spilled all the beans about what really happened between me and Mat. About Pauline, about my own self struggles in fixing myself and what not.

"And he's trying to win me back."

"Then take him back!"

"Mom!"

"What?" She sighed. "Honey, I know I have only just met Mat like only twice but I can see how happy you are when you're with him and I have never seen you like this before."

"Just because I only introduced one guy in front of you all." I said rolling my eyes.

"Why didn't you tell us about this right away?" My mom asked.

"Because I don't want you to think that Mat is a bad guy." I reasoned out. "No one knows about the break up except Tori, Anders and Collins. Mat doesn't even know that I haven't told you guys yet--"

"--yeah, because you still care for him." My mom mumbles.

"--have you noticed how uncomfortable he was on the ride up to here?"

She nodded.

"I like Mat, honey."

"Is it because he's a hockey player?"

"Hockey player or not. I like him for you, he makes my daughter happy and that's the only thing I am asking for." My mom said sipping on her mug of tea and then tucks my hair behind my ear.

"But in all seriousness, that is your choice to make. I don't know what exactly is going on inside your heart and that head of yours but I want you to be happy."

"I don't know mom," I said. "I feel like he doesn't deserve to have a girlfriend like me."

"And why would you say that?"

I shrugged because I don't know what's the exact words to say. "I have so many insecurities mom, that I ended up not trusting him. Although I might say that everytime I am with him, I feel like I am the most perfect woman in the world be--"

"Then focus in there." My mom said. "We are not perfect, honey. We all have our flaws but the only thing that matters is to have that someone who tells you that you are imperfectly perfect. And that someone who loves and embraces your imperfections."

"Do you think Mat accepts that?"

"If he tells you he loves you, then he loves you. Just focus on that. Don't look sideways." My mom said embracing me this time. "What does your heart tell you?"

"That I love him too?" I answered right away.

"That's not a question Jade, you love him." My mom said releasing her embrace chuckling.

I chuckled too. "Yeah, I still do."