Capítulo 7: Squash the squabble.
Perse sat at the corner of her room, engrossed in her novel as her friends bantered over who should wear what__ and which makeup looked good on whom. It had initially gotten under her skin. But after realizing that the squad was more invested in their looks than whether or not she was there, evading them became easier. Maya's 'punishments' were hardly punishments because she always found a way to escape them all.
A soft knock was heard on the door. The rest of the girls proceeded with their giggling and chuckling. Either they hadn't heard the knock, or dressing up was more important. Whichever the reason was, Perse took the initiative of opening it.
Her mother stood on the other side of the door, a smile as wide as that of Perse on her face. Maria was a 36-year-old woman with long reddish hair. Constant smiling made her look younger than her actual age. Her green eyes were always filled with motherly love that always gave Perse a warmth no other person could provide. She was carrying a tray filled with drinks, undoubtedly for the squad.
"How's everything?" her voice was laced with tenderness.
"Fine, I guess?" Perse shrugged. "Let me help you mom," She took the tray from her mom and the latter gave her a grateful smile. "You didn't have to. I'd have come down to get them myself,"
"It's no bother darling. Nowadays you hardly bring any of your friends over. I've honestly missed having people to host,"
"You mean you miss having an audience so you can embarrass me," Perse corrected and her mother laughed softly. Both of them were partially right. Perse opened the door wider to welcome her mom in, and she shut it with her foot afterward. She gently placed all the drinks on her desk where she had sat.
Perse watched as her mother bonded with her squad. She asked them questions about the squad, and how cheer was. She gave them advice on colors they should wear, and eyeshadows they should put on. She even helped style some of the girls' hair. Perse couldn't help but admire how great her mother was with people. Her welcoming aura made everyone around her feel loved and cared for. She couldn't help but feel a bit envious of her at times.
"So___" she heard her mom's voice and got slightly alarmed. Every time she began a sentence that way, something embarrassing would always follow suit. "What's the latest drama at school?" she asked and cast a glance in her daughter's direction just so she could see her expression.
"Mom__! stop trying to 'be cool'," Perse said as she took two glasses at a time and distributed them to her friends.
"I'm not trying___ I am cool," she said casting her daughter a mischievous smile, and the girls all agreed. Perse had a feeling that had nothing to do with honesty and everything to do with the fact that her mom was a talented makeup artist. They seemed to just want her around.
"Did Perse tell you about AJ Thorne?" Maya blurted, and Perse shot her a warning glare to stop her from running her mouth. But once Maya begins gossiping, not many things in this world can stop her from continuing.
"Who's AJ Thorne?"
"He's no one!" Perse was quick to answer, and that only made her mother more curious.
"He's this boy at school who's recently rejoined Monroe High. I swear the guy is trouble, Mrs Carlisle!" Maya dramatized it with hand gestures, completely ignoring all attempts by Perse to halt their conversation. "Like this past Wednesday___"
"Maya___ Don't!"
"He lit a cigarette in the cafeteria!" Maya said, and Perse threw her hands in defeat. Perse knew she wasn't going to stop now. Not when she had gotten to the good part... Not when she had her mother's attention.
"That's not against the rules?" her mother asked, clearly intrigued by where the story was headed so far. She didn't bother hiding the curiosity that shone in her eyes when she looked at Maya. Maybe she was just nosy that way.
"It is! Now here comes the good part___" Maya sat down next to my mom, and the rest of the squad inched closer just so they could hear Maya narrate the story, even though all of them had witnessed it firsthand. "Perse walked right up to him, snatched his cigarette, and straight up stomped on it,"
"That isn't what happened," Perse said, but none of them were listening. Or they were but preferred Maya's exaggerated version instead.
"Then what happened?" her mom scooched closer so she could hear better. Seeming engrossed in the story.
Perse shook her head in disbelief, then excused herself with a lie that she was 'going to get more snacks'. She slammed the door and leaned on it for several seconds trying to compose herself. She couldn't think of any way this could get worse. Of course, Maya would have an agenda when she insisted on the squad making preparations for the party at her home. It was always an excuse to gossip with her mother___ a hobby Perse has realized Maya is best at.
She took a deep breath to calm her racing heart. She knew that this was only a temporary escape from the multiple questions her mother would probably have, so she had every intention of enjoying the little peace she had alone.
As Persephone descended the grand staircase of her family's luxurious home, her footsteps echoed softly against the polished marble floors. The sprawling mansion, perched atop a gentle hill, was a testament to her father's successful career as the chief of police, the youngest one there ever had been in the country.
The house exuded an air of elegance and refinement that welcomed her every time she came down the stairs, and she felt herself instantly begin to calm down.
The staircase itself was a work of art, adorned with a sweeping, wrought-iron railing that curved gracefully from the second-floor landing. It spiraled down with intricate detailing, giving the house a touch of old-world charm. Sunlight filtered through a grand chandelier hanging from the ceiling above, casting a warm, golden glow on the surroundings.
As she descended further, Persephone's gaze wandered, taking in the tasteful decor that lined the walls. Expansive oil paintings, some depicting scenes from her father's police career and others capturing idyllic landscapes, added a touch of sophistication to the space.
The living room, to her right, boasted high ceilings adorned with ornate moldings and a majestic fireplace made of imported Italian marble. Plush sofas and antique furniture were arranged in a way that invited conversation and comfort.
To her left, a formal dining room with a gleaming mahogany table was set for a meal. Crystal chandeliers hung above, illuminating fine china and polished silverware, all hinting at the family's commitment to tradition and hospitality.
As Persephone reached the bottom of the stairs, she entered the heart of the house, and her personal favorite room in the house—the expansive, state-of-the-art kitchen. Granite countertops and custom cabinetry filled the space, surrounded by top-of-the-line appliances that could cater to any culinary desire. A large island in the center provided the perfect gathering place for family and friends, while the windows offered a breathtaking view of the meticulously manicured gardens and a huge blue sparkling pool outside.
She grabbed a glass from a cabinet and filled it with lemonade her mom left on the counter, before settling on one of the chairs on the island__ just staring at the fantastic view beyond the glass door leading to the garden.
She thought of Asher and the little amount of vulnerability he showed earlier when he briefly mentioned his little brother, whom, now that she thought about it, she hadn't bothered asking for his name.
She thought about her unread novel upstairs that she had to leave to avoid being the center of attraction in the little gossip session Maya was having with her mother. It annoyed her how they were able to make her feel out of place in her own home.
She thought about Josh, a boy she had been friends with since she was seven, and how enraged he was at her earlier. He still hadn't talked to her. She kept staring at her screen, waiting for him to text, but he didn't. And at that point, she didn't think he would.
With nothing better to do, she took the initiative to text him first.
'Hey. Are you still mad at me?'.
She anticipatedly stared at her screen. Josh saw the text almost immediately. Perse saw three dots appear, indicating he was typing. And she dreaded whatever it was that he was about to say. But as suddenly as they had appeared, they disappeared. She sighed, not sure whether it was in defeat or relief.
'Please don't be mad at me.' she pressed send and watched as the text was instantly marked as read... But still no reply.
'Josh come on. I know you're reading these.' her persistence didn't allow her to give up.
'Stop ignoring me!' That must have struck a chord. She saw the three dots appear, and seconds later, a text from Josh.
'You mean like how you ignored me earlier for that loser? It hurts__ doesn't it?'
She flinched at how mad and hurt he sounded, even through text. She spent a minute thinking about what to tell him before she typed again.
'What did you want me to do?'
'Take my side. Like a real friend would have done!'
Whether it was pettiness or genuine hurting, Perse found herself feeling guilty about something she wasn't even aware she had done. She could only imagine the expression that adorned her friend's face as he typed. It made her feel worse.
'This wasn't about picking sides J.'
'Then why was I the one who had to take a walk?'
'Because you're the one who'd have listened! We've known each other like forever J. I've known Asher for like a day. What makes you think he'd have listened to me?'
'Stating facts won't make me less mad at you.' she read his text, which was followed up by an angry emoji.
'I'm sorry Josh!' she added a couple of extra emojis and then pressed send. 'I really hate it when you're mad at me. How can I make it up to you?'
His reply was immediate.
'Ditch the freak!' She suppressed the need to correct him and tell him not to call him that but saw it would only make things worse between them.
'I can't. I made a promise to Coach Reynolds.' she hoped he wouldn't ask for details. She didn't feel like it was her place to tell anyone that she was tutoring Asher. She felt nosy just thinking about it.
'What promise?' Perse rolled her eyes. Of course, he had to ask.
'I can't tell you. I promised not to.' she briefly texted back, hoping that Josh would accept it and drop the topic.
'Then you can't make it up to me.'
'Today has been a terribly long day J. Between your feud with Asher and the squad terrorizing me in my own home, I really can't afford to mess up things with you. You're my only anchor. Please?' she sent, with follow-up dozens of pleading, crying, and heartbreak emojis.
'You owe me.' she read, and a small smile played on her lips. She had a feeling Josh was caving in.
'I'd say we're equal. You still owe me a dare from earlier remember?' She knew she was testing the waters. But it was worth a shot.
'YOU OWE ME!'
'Fine. Geez. Does that mean you forgive me though?'
She anxiously crossed her fingers as she saw those three dots appearing on the screen.
'I've never been able to stay mad at you.' she read, and the guilt that had previously suffocated her eased slightly on her heart. She couldn't help but smile as she stared at her screen. 'So you're coming to my party tonight?'
'It's all everyone was talking about at school. How can I miss it?'
'Then I guess I'll see you there. Feel free to get all dolled up for me.' he sent it with a winking emoji. Perse rolled her eyes even though Josh couldn't see her through the phone. But she was happy that he was back to his old flirty self again.
'I'm not going to respond to that J. I'll see you later.'
"Who's making you smile like that?" her mother's voice from behind her startled her. She hadn't heard her footsteps coming into the kitchen.
"Way to give me a heart attack Mom," she said, placing her hand over her chest as she took in deep breaths to calm her erratic heartbeat.
Her mother smiled as she settled next to her daughter. Perse looked at her and her brows furrowed in confusion at the way her mom was mischievously looking at her.
"What?" she raised her eyebrow inquiringly, and her mother's smile only widened.
"Was that him?" Her mom asked, managing to get Perse more confused than he initially was.
"Was that 'who'?"
"That AJ Thorne boy your friends are so psyched about,"
"Jesus Mom!" She sighed, her voice filled with annoyance. "Not you too!"
"What? I just want to know the boy my daughter is dating!"
"Dating?! What are you talking about? Asher and I are hardly even past the friendly acquaintance stage!" she rolled her eyes, then stood up to take the jug in front of her to the fridge, just so her mother could see that she wasn't interested in having this conversation__ not here. Not now. And not with her. She'd only be giving her more ammo to embarrass her.
"Well Maya says the two of you have been pretty close lately," her mother pressed on, and Perse groaned. She didn't look like someone who was going to drop this.
"Maya's hobby is gossiping! I wouldn't take anything she says seriously!" she opened the fridge, placed the jug in, then shut it, a bit harder than was necessary.
"June said the same thing,"
"June repeats everything Maya says___ Like a mini Maya or something. Not reliable either,"
"Okay then. So you tell me who AJ Thorne is,"
Perse sighed deeply. She turned to face her mother who had her head propped in her hands as she stared at her daughter with anticipation.
"He's___ A boy at school," Perse shrugged casually.
"And?"
"And what Mom?"
"Why are the two of you hanging out so often?"
"You've never asked me why Maya and I hang out so often," Perse rolled her eyes and her mother laughed.
"Because you and Maya are 'past the friendly acquaintance stage',"
Perse looked at her mother more keenly. Her eyes crinkled at the corners as she smiled at her, still waiting for her to continue with the story. She sighed deeply, remembering that she got her persistence and determination from her mother. So she knew very well that she wasn't going to drop this any time soon. Not until she got what she wanted.
"I'm supposed to tutor him," Perse said as she casually settled next to her mother.
"What?" her mother asked, as if requiring confirmation.
"Coach Reynolds asked me to tutor him and I agreed," she repeated, ignoring the puzzled look her mom gave her.
"Well, what's he like?"
"He's okay," Perse nodded. "All I know about him is that he has a little brother. And he and Josh don't exactly like each other. They're both competing to be the school's Quarterback,"
"I thought Josh was the school's official Quarterback?"
"Not since he found actual competition,"
"And how is Josh taking it?"
"He hates having to share the spotlight with him___"
"No! I mean how is he taking the whole 'you-tutoring-his-rival' situation?"
"I haven't told him yet?" Perse shrugged innocently.
"Ariadne!" her mother stared at her. Perse always knew her mother was serious when she called her by her middle name.
"I honestly don't think it's his business Mom," Perse shook her head. "Plus you should have seen how mad he was earlier just because I was talking to him. So imagine his reaction when I tell him that Asher and I will be spending even more time together!" Perse frustratedly grabbed her hair.
Maria looked at her daughter, her heart distraught- torn between helping a troubled boy or sticking by her best friend's side.
"Do you like this boy?" she asked.
"Who? Asher?" she glanced at her mom, and couldn't help but chuckle at how serious she looked. "I told you! I barely even know him!"
"That isn't an answer,"
Perse's gaze drifted to the pool outside. Did she like Asher? She didn't mind him. He was tense, but occasionally fun to talk to. But did she like him? Even as a friend? 'Like' seemed like a too strong word to use.
"I can stand him. As an acquaintance," she finally said. "But I don't want him to fail. Coach Reynolds said that's his only opportunity to get a football scholarship for college,"
"If you like this boy enough as an acquaintance... And you like Josh enough as a friend... then the two will eventually squash the squabble and get along, right?"
"No one says 'squash the squabble' anymore Mom," she chuckled, her face grimacing as her mother laughed. "But it's cool. I get it. I just hope Josh does,"
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