Rewritten

Chapter 17: Maria

I haven't seen much of Aaron at the house lately since last week, only during meal times and he ignored me. Me and him weren't so complicated because he was a hookup. Mostly makeouts during my break up period from Tyler. He comforted me, gave me advice and before I knew it both of us was half naked underneath the sheets. I could have taken it further; I wanted to, my conscious slapped me in the face to not succumb to a half hour of temptation to either be disappointed, pregnant or falling for him when he didn't reciprocate.

So now he's probably being surly and bitter because I didn't spread my legs.

The girls wanted all of us to go to mall to shop for prom dresses. I suggested that we go after school to Forever 21, there's a sale for prom dresses. It's fun to dress up, plus a great distraction from all my thoughts with some retail therapy. I found this great dark floor length red dress so I wouldn't trip too much on my heels. Terri bought a green poofy dress that complimented her skin tone and reached to her knees. Rachel bought a halter floor length cleavage bearing pink dress. We all looked amazing, can't wait for prom.

-&-

My parents were getting ready for the charity event. I cleaned up the house before Tony and his family came, making sure it was safe for his sister. Around seven, I heard the doorbell ring mom answered it revealing two adults dressed classy with a two year old in their hand.

"Hello Kathy," the woman said to mom giving her a half hug. I remembered meeting Mr. and Mrs. Castellano a few times at school functions. They were nice people and on the PTA meeting knew mom and dad. Tony's mom was very pretty: grey eyes, black hair bright smile and slim figure. His dad looked like an older version of him: grey hair on the sideburns and handsome.

Mrs. Castellano started explaining that they will get pick her up around two am, but I should put her to bed at ten p.m. She's cutest little kid ever, looked just like her mom. She was quiet. I reached down to say hi to her, she gave me a small wave.

"What's your name?" I asked her but she hid behind her mom's legs.

"Her name is Maya," her mom said.

I nodded "oh." She gave me Maya's bag, telling me the contents inside: clothes, underwear, wipes and food. The four adults exited the house saying goodnight afterwards.

An hour into babysitting, she started to cry for her mom, I began to get frustrated because it's right in my ear since I'm carrying her. I began singing a lullaby, it's not working so I placed her down on the couch. I changed the station to a kids' channel. Her crying subsided seeing the cartoons she's now silent. "Yes," I muttered in victory, going to the kitchen I opened the fridge where I put her food. Microwaving her meal for sixty seconds, I go back to the living room sitting next to her. While feeding her my phone vibrated from inside my pants. I ignored it and continued feeding Maya, after she finished I carried her to the kitchen with me and placed her dishes in the sink. Both of us watching a marathon of Cailou hearing her hum the theme song. I didn't get why some kids liked that show so much, I guess I never will. I saw her eyes drooping and head slouching. I lifted her up, holding her close to my chest and swayed side to side. While singing "Tire Swing" by Kimya Dawson softly I heard snores escaping her mouth. I placed her gently on the couch and covered her body with her blanket from her bag. I cleaned up, ate my own dinner and watched random shows to pass the time. Tonight wasn't so bad. I checked the time that it hit 11:01 p.m. I heard keys jingling from the other side of the door to open.

My parents are a bit early, the door opened wider revealing Jason and Aaron entering inside. "Hey sis. We're gonna stay on campus tonight with a friend. The party's is still on; we just came to grab some clothes. Tell mom and dad."

"Ok." Jason skipped up the stairs leaving Aaron in the kitchen. He glanced at me, a small smile inched across his face and I gave him one back. His eyes were dilated and red, was he crying? He couldn't have been crying about me. I should talk to him but what's the point of explaining over and over about me wanting to wait, why can't anyone understand that? The doorbell rang I stood up fast looking into the peephole. The person's jet black hair and broad shoulders waiting I opened the door wide to Scott leaning against the doorframe grinning.

"I texted you earlier. You mad at me?" He asked pouting.

"I'm babysitting," I responded raising an eyebrow.

"Where's the kid?"

"Sleeping on the couch."

"Right." Entering inside, he closed the door behind him our noses touching from our closeness. His sweet scent wafting in my nose, goosebumps raised on my arms how he's staring from my eyes to my lips. "I wanted to see if you wanted to hang out," he said with a twinkle in his eyes.

"It's 11. Kind of late to hang out don't you think?" I questioned.

"Ok fine. I was gonna convince you of naked cuddling."

"You never give up, do you?"

"I'm like mold. It takes a lot of things to get rid of me."

"Then can I spray you with vinegar and hydrogen peroxide, cause that gets rid of mold."

"You're hurting my feelings, Maria."

"You're a big boy." Backing away from him, I went back to the couch. I pulled out my phone, Scott texted me three times an hour ago. "Clingy," I joked to myself chuckling and tucked it back in my pocket.

"What the hell are you doing here?" I heard Scott said, wondering who he's talking to.

"Scotty, long time no see," Aaron's cheerful mocking tone responded, confused I sat up seeing Scott's red faced coming closer to Aaron, I get in between them immediately.

"Guys please, a toddler is sleeping," I warned my hands on their chests pushing them a bit. "You two know each other?"

"He's my cousin," Scott simply said. Shit.