Ever since my dream about Florencio, I was more affectionate then I'd ever been.

The few times I saw him, I touched his face, complimented him, I wanted him to know something.

This was a few days ago, and of course, my feelings had only escalated.

My mom was still unbearable, but now that her car was fixed, she felt better about the situation. She refused to talk more about it. The security cameras at the office caught a man dressed in all black, face covered.

Now confident enough to leave the house, my mom ventured to the store and smiled at me before she left. I think she was expecting me to proud. I forced a nod and continued watching tv.

Her phone rang loudly from her room. I knew she had forgotten it when it wasn't in her hand, but I just didn't care.

The caller called three more times before I decided to get up and answer. I looked at the contact name and groaned.

"Felix," I tired to say cheerfully. "She forgot her phone, she's at the store. I'll tell her you called..."

"No!" He breathed. "Don't hang up yet." A nervous laugh escaped him. "I'm actually glad you picked up. I wanted to ask your mom to come visit Oregon for a week. Aaron will be with his grandparent so we'll be alone. After the whole car thing, she needs this."

I shrugged. Remembering he couldn't see me I replied, "Oh. Okay." Why did I need to hear this from him?

"You're fine with it?"

"I guess." I grew uncomfortable. "Why are you telling me this?" I laughed to seem unbothered.

"Alright," he sighed, obviously iterated now. "You're not getting it." A deep breath. "I want to propose to her, Parker."

I felt nerves crawl through my stomach and into my throat. "Um, Felix—"

"I know we haven't known each other long, but I love her. I want to spend the rest of my life with her." Felix sounded happy.

My eyes burned and I wiped the tears away angrily. What version of her did he fall in love with? Why was she her worst self with me? Well, I knew why now but it still hurt.

"Parker?" Felix's voice was small now, worried.

You can't say no.

"Yes," I managed to let out. "Propose."

I tired to keep up the conversation with Felix, but I just couldn't. I felt like the room was spinning and my hands shook violently. After hanging up, I threw the phone on the bed and sat down on the floor, pressed my face to my knees.

She would say yes. I knew that. She loved Felix and was obviously her better self with him. She'd leave me. For good this time. All I wanted was distance from my mom and now that I got it, I needed her back.

Where would I live? Here? She'd no doubt leave to Oregon. I couldn't live in a house by myself, would she help with finances? She didn't expect me to just take over a house right now.

I was panting now with anxiety. The only thing that kept me from spiraling was that she didn't know yet. She might even say no.

After some more internal battles, I realized, I had no idea what my mom would do.

-

Mom was squealing with delight in her room. She said yes to the trip. Great.

"Parker!" She came into my room, beaming. "Felix told me you knew about this? Is that why you were acting weird?"

I nodded. "Yes." My eyes became unfocused. "Um, have fun. I know you leave in two days."

She grinned. "He's crazy. Just assuming I'd leave like that. I can't see why you said no when Florencio offered you a trip. You're so..." she trailed off, looking at me with uncertainty. She recovered quickly. "Anyways, I'm going to call Samatha and start packing!"

I texted Gina what was happening, not knowing what else to do, and she wasn't surprised.

She seems happy. Aren't you glad she'll be off your hands?

I honestly had no idea how I felt. Maybe I should be happy. I chewed on my lip until it hurt.

I don't know, I replied.

You're so tense. Have sex, dude! I swear it's like a reset.

I rolled my eyes. Gina was something else. To distract myself, I called her to tease.

I sighed dreamily right when she picked up. "Oh, yes, Gina. We did. It was good. Really good."

She gasped. "Holy shit! Y-you did it. Florencio just looks... was it rough? Tell me."

"Yes," I encouraged her perv behavior. "So good, Gina."

She continued to babble and I cut her off.

"No!" I laughed. "We haven't had sex. Stop saying those things." She asked me if I had...given Florencio a blow job. My face was red and I couldn't handle another second of her dirty comments.

Gina groaned. "Oh, screw you." She snorted. "Or not. Seriously though, Parker... when you do." I could practically see her grinning.

"I know I always push you, Parker, but what is it? We both know it's not because of your body anymore." Gina's voice was soft now. I grimaced.

"I-I don't, G. What if I'm not good at it? I have no idea how to please him. He's done so much for me... what if I do something he doesn't like?" My body was in the background now. Florencio thought I was beautiful, that's all I needed. But that didn't mean I could satisfy him.

Gina hummed. "Parker I think you could spit on him and he'll like it. Secrets out, can't believe you haven't figured it out, men like anything."

I laughed quietly.

"Is this about virginity too by any chance?" She asked.

I thought about it. I knew how I felt about Florencio and trusted him. I valued my virginity. Not in a pretentious, obnoxious way, I wanted my first time to be with someone I cared about deeply. It wasn't something to get over with. Only if I could somehow be an expert in bed... my insecurities were virtually gone.

"No," I answered. "I want to have sex with him. He can... have that part of me."

Gina awed. "That's sweet."

I smiled stupidly.

-

I drove to the airport and the whole time she talked. Her flight was at seven in the morning and my moon had to get there two hours early. That fact that it was five thirty was already making her more snappy. Which made her express every thought she had with me verbally.

"I'm glad you're excited," I murmured. Planes shouldn't be allowed to leave this early. Oregon was such a short flight anyway. Why did Felix want her there so early— oh yeah. In our awkward conversation, Felix mentioned he wanted a week full of romance and he was going to propose on Friday. At his restaurant. A little lame if you ask me.

"Parker!" My mom snapped. "You missed the gate. Ugh, just stop here. I knew you weren't going to drive right, I should've gotten an Uber. Just stop here, I'll walk back."

I took a deep, calming breath and stopped the car.

"Well, have fun. Be safe. I love you."

My mom nodded. "Alright. Calm down. I'm not going to get pregnant."

"Okay," I choked out. "Bye."

She waved.

Was I sure I was going to miss her? I think— a car honked behind me, making me jump.

It was eight now and I was stuck in traffic. I leaned over the steering wheel, my chin resting on it.

I grabbed my phone and opened my text messages with Florencio. Before I really thought about it, I set the timer, placed the phone on the passenger seat next to me, facing me, so he could see me driving. I sent it to him.

The cars moved slowly. A ding from my phone caught my attention. Unlike Florencio, I keep my phone high, mainly focusing on the road.

What are you doing? He replied.

I told him.

You should come over, I'm free.

I declined the offer, feeling sassy. Not that I didn't want, but I was tired and had no clothes with me.

-

After a day of no contact with people, I was upset I turned Florencio down. Karma got me when Gina told me she was occupied unpacking.

After her, I tried to lure Florencio here, but he was busy. It just reminded me he was doing... things. Was I making this too normal? Oh, god.

Something about him excited me and I wanted no one else. I poured my feelings into him.

I heard clicking noises. I put my phone down and listened. It was only four pm. Raccoons weren't out yet. The clicking noises continued. It was a subtle pounding now. I left my room and walked around the house. I shivered, becoming cold all of sudden. I wasn't scared.

So why did I grab a pan and wooden spoon and bang them together to let anyone outside know someone's home?

The cars were in the garage and yesterday it did look like I was leaving, with all the luggage my mom had.

I stopped hitting the pan. The clicking noises continued for another second before it stopped.

A minute later I heard a car engine start.

My body was frozen and it felt impossible to move. When I eventually did, I called Florencio. I almost cried in relief when he said he'd come get me.

Florencio had people in the background of our call. Of course because he— so when the doorbell rang nearly three hours later, I wasn't surprised.

He grabbed me and held me tightly. "Parker. What happened? Are you okay?"

I nodded, feeling safe against his hard body. "Yes. I feel better now."

I thought back to my mom saying someone was outside. Maybe it really was a person. The thought made my stomach churn.

Florencio took us to sit on the couch.

"Do you feel safe now?" He asked, stroking my back.

"Yes, I always feel fine alone. I've never thought someone breaking in though." I took a deep breath and rationalized, "the cars are in the garage and it did look like I was leaving yesterday. It makes sense. I think I'm overreacting."

Florencio chuckled. "You think someone breaking and being worried is overreacting?"

"Just a little bit." I looked away from him, my lips pursed in annoyance. I never felt unsafe alone. It was pissing me off I was so scared now.

Florencio brushed his lips against my forehead. "Let me take you back to my house. Please." His mouth traveled lower and I pushed him away.

"You're distracting me."

He rolled his eyes. "From what, saying yes?"

I shoved him. My irritation simmered and I was left with a warm feeling I wanted to share. "Can we just sleep when we get there?" I asked shyly.

"We can do whatever you want, honey."

-