Chapter 3 Mom, as always, never turned down a good dinner offer with a friend. I didn't even know she was friends with Xavier's dad. Before we left home, Luna texted me. *Luna: So?? How was it? Any sparks? EEK! don't tell me you guys touched!"* I rolled my eyes before responding. *Me: What. Did. I. Tell. You? Anyways, I think I might be targeted or something* A few seconds went by before she sent another text: *Luna: Targeted? Hah! as in love yeah" *Me: I'm serious Lu! Didn't you feel anything go up your spine when you first see him?* *Luna: OH yeahhh.. you mean the "I think he likes you" thingy? *Me: I swear to god Lu, I want to strangle you when I get to school >:( *Luna: Hey! sorry :3 Can I call?" *Me: Nope, gonna go out for dinner with mom and the new neighbors :/" Luna: OMG YOU'RE THE LUCKIEST GURL ON EARTH, WHERE R U GOING??!! *Me: idk.. The local steak shop?" *Luna: don't blame meh but "YOU GUYS ARE SO ROMANTIC>333" I smacked my phone shut, shoved it in my skirt pocket and came downstairs where mom was looking all pretty with the makeup and the perfume. I wrinkled my nose and walked to the car. The whole way there, mom kept yapping about how she would have loved to have a son in law and I knew she was trying to make me suffer. When we reached the steak house, I saw Xavier and his dad trying to get a table. Mom slipped on her coat and we both got out of the car. "Hullo Steve! Can't get a table?" asked mom in a cheerful voice when we stepped inside. The man, Steve, gave her a small smile, which I was certain was fake. Xavier was giving all his attention to his phone, dressed in a yk2 style like me. Great. Now everyone would definitely think we're
couples because right after I had come in, the waiters and the customers were staring at me and talking to their friends as if I was blind enough to not see. After we had finally got a table, we stated our order to one of the waiters. Mom wanted to eat the pork steak, which is the most expensive one on the menu but to my surprise, Steve didn't even flinch at the price. He, himself, ordered the same and the waiter turned to me and Xavier, who unluckily ended up sitting next to each other. Talk about disappointing. We were pretending to be interested in certain objects, such as the menu or the tissue box. "What can I get for you and your charming girlfriend?" asked the waiter politely, but to me, it was a nightmare. I could picture my insides going insanely crazy and saw that Xavier's face turn white. "She-she's just my neighbor, not my girlfriend, thank you. And I don't want to eat anything" he muttered, before turning back to look at his phone. The waiter blushed and apologized. "Can I get a cheeseburger, thanks" I said, my voice trying not to tremble from disgust. After the waiter left, mom and 'Steve' started talking about their work history and adult stuff when me and Xavier continued to ignore each other. When the food had finally arrived, everyone except Xavier. He seemed to be lola land'. "I can't eat cheese you know? I'm allergic to it, Bree. The last time I ate it accidentally, I was rushed to the hospital. That was when I was 8" laughed Steve, in a deep conversation with mom who seemed so interested that she stopped eating to talk. "Oh! I'm not allergic to anything but Sabrina here had a very bad experience with peanuts" she said. Then, they both shared another laugh and Steve changed the subject to how he moved here and blah blah blah. I wondered why he got mom to mention my allergy and instantly changed the subject. Maybe.. maybe that's what they mean by the whole 'find her weakness by playing puppets with mom' thingy. The thought made me choke on my lemonade. Hearing me choke, mom stopped talking and looked at me. "Sabrina, you okay? You haven't finished your cheeseburger yet.. are you sick?" She asked, putting her hand on my forehead to feel my temperature. I shook her off. "I'm fine, just tired, you know? lifting boxes and stuff" I replied, hoping to hide the fakeness. That was when Steve and Xavier stood up at the same time and excused themselves to go to the restroom. After they had gone, I got up from my seat too and told mom I was going to wash my hands. Instead of going to the girl's restroom, I went in front of the men's and stuck myself to the wall so I could listen. Surely, they were talking. Again. About me. "So, did you hear that Xavier? Our quest had succeeded. All we need to do is inform the boss and carry out our plan and in no time, you and I will get the power we want" I peeked a bit and saw Xavier folding his arms and leaning on the sink when Steve smacked his hands and smirked."I don't think this is a good idea sir." (Xavier) "Why not? Everything's going perfectly" "I have a sense she knows" My blood ran cold at this line. Laughter echoed from Steve. "Know? she has no idea, okay Xavier? Unless you told her" "No. I didn't but I think this isn't a good idea" "You were the one who wanted the power and role of the leader of our mafia gang! When you're in, you're in. No turning back." "But sir-" "SILENCE! You were the one who came crawling to us when your itty witty sister died because of her dad. You were the one who begged to join so do your thing alright?" "Y-yes sir" "Good, now let's go back" I didn't have time to rethink the whole thing because I turned on my heels and ran. All the way back to the table.
