Marisol's POV- March 2018

I watched as Leo input a code in order to be let into the gated neighborhood that Desi lived in. As he drove inside he glanced at me,

"Can you tell which is Desi's place?"

Oh for sure, it was the only front yard that was well kept. I'm not saying the grass was dead and dry on the other front yards, but it was the only one that was decorated.

"The succulents give it away" I stated.

He chuckled and looked at the 2 remotes on his visor before pressing a button. The garage door opened and he parked his car next to Desi's.

"So what is Desi making for dinner?" I wondered.

"I've got no clue"

The door leading inside through the garage opened the second the garage door closed.

"Hi, guys! Come on in"

Desi walked back inside before we could greet her.

"Nice to see you too, Desi"

She laughed.

"Come to the kitchen and I'll hug you!"

I followed Leo inside and closed the door behind me. Because it was my first time here, I took in the surroundings. There were two doors, one on each side of where I stood. One of the doors was open, and it looked to be the bathroom so I was going to assume that the door to my left was either a closer or the laundry room. Next to that door was a staircase, which I was going to assume led to the bedrooms...maybe another bathroom.

"It smells amazing in here," I said.

To my left was the front door and living room area. The kitchen was on the right and further out was the dining area.

"Well I hope you're hungry"

Desi was going all out tonight with lasagna, garlic bread, and fruit tarts.

"Do you need help?" I offered.

She smiled.

"Hug first"

I hugged her and laughed as Leo frowned at us.

"She gets a hug and I get ignored?"

"Stop being so dramatic," I told him.

He smiled as she hugged him.

"So do you need any help?" I wondered.

She gestured towards the fridge.

"I've got some strawberries that are a little past due"

"Do you have lemons?" I asked.

"Yes"

I nodded and got to work. Just as I finished, the doorbell rang.

"I'll get it"

Leo looked at me as Desi went to answer the door.

"So are you going to talk to him?"

I shrugged.

"Don't know yet" I answered.

I finished making the lemonade

"Leo, Mari come to the living room"

"Kinda busy" I called out as I opened the fridge door.

"Then we will come to you!"

Leo walked around me as I made room for the lemonade.

"Hey man, congrats on making the Opening Day roster"

I could already feel Cody's eyes on me as I reached for the pitcher and placed it inside the fridge.

"Cody meet my brother, Leo"

Leo spoke up.

"Nice to meet you, dude"

I closed the fridge door.

"Mari, come here"

It was a strange sight, Desi holding a guys' hand but it brought a smile to my face.

"Mari, meet Chris. Chris, meet Marisol"

Chris offered me a smile and stretched out his hand for a handshake.

"Nice to meet you"

"Likewise" I replied as I pushed his hand down and stepped forward to hug him.

He accepted the hug.

"You smell great" I complimented.

He chuckled and offered me a smile as I stepped back from the hug.

"It's nice to meet you too, I learned about you yesterday" I stated.

"All good, I hope?"

I hummed.

"Partially" I answered.

I squeezed his bicep.

"But you redeemed yourself," I said.

I looked up and made eye contact with Cody. The ends of his mouth quirked up as a smile appeared on his face.

"Hey"

"Hi" I shortly greeted.

My phone started ringing making me look away from him.

"I've got to take this" I stated as I looked at the screen.

If I didn't answer calls from my dad he would assume I had been kidnapped. I was an only child and he worried.

"You can go upstairs to get more privacy"

I nodded and excused myself upstairs.

"Hi, dad" I as I went up the staircase.

"Hi, honey. What are you up to?"

"I'm at Desi's, she invited me to dinner" I replied.

I smiled as I made eye contact with Simba, Desi's Beagle.

"Oh, nice. Do you know what you're eating?"

"Lasagna" I answered as I took a seat on the top stair.

Simba sat next to me and let me pet him.

"If there are any leftovers, save me some?"

"I'll try" I promised.

"I was just calling to check up on you"

Oh, I knew that.

"Enjoy your night, I'll see you tomorrow"

"I might be up when you get back from work" I replied.

He chuckled.

"Of course you will be"

I had a homework assignment due tomorrow at 11 AM and I had yet to start...whoops?

"Bye," I told him.

"Bye"

I ended the call and made my way back downstairs. Cody was making his way out of the downstairs bathroom, which was right by the staircase so we kind of bumped into each other. I offered him a smile before stepping around him. To my surprise, he took a hold of my hand.

"Wait!"

The chatter coming from the kitchen area stopped as Cody let go of my hand. Thank god for that small wall keeping them from peaking out to see what was going on.

"Sorry"

I stuffed my hands into the pockets of my jeans as I faced him.

"I was hoping we could talk?"

I bit the inside of my cheek and nodded.

"Okay," I said agreeing to his request.

He slowly nodded and I stepped back.

"Let's go for a walk" I suggested.