“That is exactly the problem with the society today,” Jonathan grunted. “Everyone rushes somewhere, not having time for anything. The only thing they do is look at those small screens and waste their time on the Internet.”
“But spending time on the Internet can also be educational!”
“Oh really? Then do tell me, what it is that you do on the Internet that is educational?”
Melissa started her story about the great books she’d read last month, and I must say I was a bit impressed since she’d read works of some impactful and respected authors that not many people our age were interested in.
Completely focused on her story, I didn’t pay attention to the game, and Jonathan made a checkmate.
“You’re very good!” I exclaimed in admiration.
“You’re also good, but you need practice. With more practice, you can become a great player.”
“I doubt anyone can become a better player than you, grandpa,” a deep male voice said. “You always beat me, no matter how much I practice.”
I glanced behind me, and someone’s stomach came into my view. I raised my chin to look at him, a twinge assaulting my chest when our gazes met.
Oh boy.
I was staring into a pair of light brown eyes that looked directly at me. They twinkled with humor, accompanied with a flirty smile. His rectangle-shaped face was model-like, and I was impressed by how prominent and firm his jaw and chin were. His curly hair was a few shades darker than his bronze skin, reaching below his ears.
I whipped my gaze back to the table, my face burning from shame. Why did I have to be embarrassed every time I saw some nice looking guy? I couldn’t even look them in the eyes without blushing!
“That’s because you are thinking too much about things you young people like obsessing about,” Jonathan answered him. “If you used your intelligence on more important things, you would’ve become a better man.”
“Ouch, grandpa. Don’t embarrass me in front of the girls!”
Melissa giggled. “You and embarrassment never go together, Mateo.”
I gaped at Melissa. “Do you know each other?”
“Yep. He’s my classmate at Rawenwood High.”
“Yeah.” He stopped in front of me, and I had no other choice but to return his gaze. “I’m Mateo Diaz.”
I nodded and shook hands with him reluctantly, not failing to notice how strong his hand felt. He didn’t break our connection immediately, holding my hand longer than needed, and this made me even more jittery.
I always overthought my actions or his reactions whenever I was next to some guy, and I hated it. I was too tense, taking extra care not to make some mistake and embarrass myself. I was inexperienced with boys, and I didn’t know if they found me attractive, annoying, boring, or whatever, expecting the worst each time.
I felt his eyes on me as I pretended there was something extremely interesting on the chess board, and it made me think two things.
He must think there was something wrong with me.
He was probably plotting to humiliate me.
“You didn’t tell me your name,” he told me, and dang , my cheeks were like two tomatoes again!
“Sarah.”
His megawatt smile almost blinded me. “It’s nice to meet you, Sarah.”
I looked at Jonathan who studied me carefully with his chin leaned against his hand. “I think you should play chess with Mateo.”
“W-What?”
“What do you think, boy? Will you play a game of chess with this young lady?”
Mateo winked at me. “Gladly. I’ve never played chess with a girl.”
“I doubt you play anything else with a girl beside those games among the sheets, Mateo. No offense, Mr. J.” Melissa wiggled her eyebrows at Mateo, and I wanted to evaporate into thin air or become a fly and buzz away. Mateo snorted, and Jonathan erupted in laughter. I could only stare at them, dumbstruck.
“I agree with you, Melissa. I heard my grandson is a real lady-killer. I hope you were not one of his conquests.”
She raised her hands in defense. “Of course not! Mateo is not my type at all!”
Mateo placed his hand over his heart. “You’re making my heart bleed, Melissa. This is a huge blow to my ego.”
“Your ego is oversized, so you’ll be fine.”
His laughter rang out. “Right. So, how about that game, Sarah?” he asked me, and since there was no way for me to get out of this, I had to accept it.
“Okay. Let’s see what you got.”
I WAS ON PINS AND NEEDLES , but playing chess with Mateo was fun nevertheless. He didn’t make fun of me, acting friendly all the time, and I enjoyed talking with him. He reminded me so much of Kayden. He was also positive, funny, and didn’t call me names because I was blushing or being socially awkward. He even laughed at some of my quips. It was too good to be true.
Afterward, Melissa told me Mateo’s story, which was pretty typical considering his attitude and confidence. He was one of the popular guys in their school, and he was the captain of their football team. He rarely dated because he preferred casual hook-ups to serious relationships.
Melissa thought we looked cute playing chess together like we’d known each other for a long time.
“Besides, who plays chess these days? Playing it with a cute guy is so romantic!” Melissa remarked.
I didn’t care. I actually hoped I wouldn’t see him again. His gaze lingered on me too much for my taste, and every time he smiled at me I felt strange. My defense mechanism insisted that all beautiful people had some big flaws. Kayden was the only exception.
I reached my home around noon and breathed out a sigh of relief because mom’s car was still in the driveway. I saw Hayden’s mother, Carmen, moving some boxes that were too big to be carried by one person out of her house and to the porch. She looked dog-tired. I didn’t see Hayden’s bike anywhere, which meant he wasn’t there.
No, I shouldn’t go there. That house was a forbidden territory for me.
I headed to my porch and stopped, cursing myself. Damn it. She was fit to drop. Who knew for how long she’d been dragging those things around?
Maybe I could help her lickety-split before Hayden came back. Yes, I could do that.
“Hello, Mrs. Black!”
A radiant smile erased her previous frown. “Hi, Sarah! It’s so good to see you! How are you today?”
“I’m good. I just came back from my job.”
“That’s great! I hope everything is well in school.”
Everything is peachy, except your son and the rest of the school making my life a living hell.
“School is good. Anyhow, Mrs. Black, I saw you carrying those boxes, but they seem pretty heavy. Do you need my help? I’d be glad to lend you a hand.”
She wiped the sweat off her forehead with her forearm. “Thank you for offering your help. Actually, I’ll take you up on it because Hayden isn’t here. I told him I’d be arranging the whole house today, but he went to his football practice and then to who knows where. I don’t think he’ll be back anytime soon.”
She shook her head and sighed, her eyes glimmering with concern. “I don’t know what to do with that boy anymore. Anyway, you know how busy it can be at the hospital, so I couldn’t find any free time for rearranging during the whole summer. I’d really appreciate if you could help me with some things and furniture.”