"so how was school?" my mom asks even though she knows we both hate that question. "it was school." noah says and i take a bite out of my japchae. my mom rolls her eyes and turns to me.

i look away as i chew. "your turn." my mother sits her fork down. i slowly chew my noodles, trying to stall. "bri likes parker grey." noah says and i choke. "i hate you." i say as soon as i finish the food in my mouth.

"why does that name sound familiar?" my mom pulls out her phone.

i don't know, maybe because you're friends with his mom on facebook.

"oh that's lara's son. you like him?" my mom suddenly lights up. thanks noah! "i-i don't like him! boys are gross." i try to lie.

then i remember our little ice cream date. i remember him taking a picture of me. but most of all i remember his smile. that damn smile.

"she's blushing like crazy." noah points at me.

i didn't even notice i was. i stop immediately and fill my mouth with noodles.

❀

i sigh as i take out a random record and stare at it before i put it on my turntable. as it plays i walk back to my bed and throw myself on it. not even a second after, my mom walks in. "oh god. you're playing vinyl, what's wrong?" she says making me sit up immediately.

"what do you mean?" i say then lay back down. "usually you play music in your headphones, when the record player is out it's usually a sign."

i cross my arms and stare at the ceiling. she knows me too well. i feel her sit on my bed next to me. she starts playing with my hair. "so are you going to tell me about this boy?" she says coming into my view. "why? so you can be annoying and tell his mom." i mock her.

the feeling of her playing with my hair is making me sleepy.

"hush, just talk to me." she says. i don't say anything for a little bit. "he's just a boy. i've liked him for a while but we barely hung out today. he got hotter over the summer."

she laughs. "i know, i've seen him on facebook. he doesn't look like a dork anymore." my mom says and i gasp. "stop he never looked like a dork!" i try not to laugh. she gives me a look. "okay i guess he did." i agree and we both start laughing.

"he has really pretty light-brown eyes, and his hair is long and curly," i smile when i think of him. "we went and got ice cream." i add.

it's silent again. "mom i need advice." i sit up and face her. "i'm here." she smiles. when i think about it, i look a lot like my mother. we have the same nose and facial structure. "riley likes him too. i never told her that i liked him though, only natalie knows." my mom pursed her lips as she held in a laugh.

"you told natalie... and not riley?" her brow raised. "it wasn't on purpose!" we both laugh. "you know natalie can't keep a secret." my mom says and i nod. "it slipped out!" i readjust my glasses. "okay so riley likes him, big deal." my mom puts her hand on my shoulder. "it is a big deal mom. it's riley." i wait for her to catch onto what i was saying.

my mom rolls her eyes. "so what. beat her to it this time." she stands up. "what? why are you encouraging this? you're supposed to give me the anti-boy speech." i look at her confused. "a little crush never hurt anyone. i met your father at this age." she smiles for a moment. "what do i do?" i ask.

"i say tell riley. secrets aren't good to keep." she says and i nod even though that wasn't the answer i was looking for. "i love you." i hug her and she hugs me back. "i love you too," she lets go. "now go turn off that music and go to sleep." she walks out. i turn off the light and follow her.

"goodnight baby." she says at my door. "goodnight mom." i say back and she starts to close the door. "wait!" i remember something. she opens it back up. "have you talked to dad?" i ask. her face changes again. "no, not tonight."

i nod and she smiles before closing the door.

❀❀❀

"i'm going to do it!" i tell nat as we walk to our lockers. "finally! i almost slipped up yesterday." natalie says making me stop. "you what? i barely told you and you already almost spilled?" i turn to her.

before she could even say anything riley walked up to us. "hey bitches." she waved and we waved back. i fix my glasses and she stares at me. "bri, when are you going to give up the glasses and get contacts?" riley started to walk away. "i-" i start but then i decide not to say anything.

honestly i wonder the same thing but i secretly liked my glasses. "ignore her. are we hanging out today?" natalie asks. "i can't." i remember parker's coming over later.

"why not?" she frowns.

i have two choices: actually tell her what i'm doing or make up a lie. "my mom needs help with something." i guess lying wins.

"she needs help with what?" i frown. this is why i hate lying. as i'm trying to come up with another lie, parker walks up to us. "hey bri... natalie." we greet each other then he turns to me. "see you later?" he asks. "yeah." i nod caught off guard.

oh god, perfect timing parker...

he waves goodbye and leaves. "i can explain!" i panic.

"why are you lying to me? if you want to hang out with parker then hang out with him." she winks. "i know but i thought it would be easier to keep the secret if you didn't know as much... sorry."

"oh... i guess that's smart...apology accepted."

❀

after school i made sure that my friends left before me. i couldn't chance riley seeing parker and i together. "chunky monkey?" his voice made me nervous. i take my glasses off before turning around, this was really becoming a habit.

"do not call me that." i'm serious but laugh to make it sound less mean. "it's the only nickname i have for you so far."

we have nicknames now?

"well get a new one." i close my locker and we start walking out of school.

"why do you always take your glasses off when i talk to you?" he asks. "hello, i look like a dweeb." i say which was true. "what's wrong with being a dweeb?" he takes my glasses and carefully puts them back on my face. "besides, they're adorable on you."