Obscured (The Obscured Series Book 1) by C.M. Boers Page A

waited
for his outburst. It never came. We were stopped in front of my house now. I
turned to look at him, but he was staring straight ahead again. Neither of us
made a move to get out.
    “And
who did you think I would be taking on this ‘double date’?” He put his fingers
up and did air quotes.
    “I
don’t know, isn’t there someone that you’re interested in?”
    “Maybe,
but who said I was planning on doing anything about it?”
    “Nobody,
but I was hoping you would,” I replied timidly.
    He
laughed, but it wasn’t out of happiness; it was a laugh of disbelief. He was
taking it exactly how I expected him to. I had hoped it would go better than I
expected, but at least it didn’t take me completely off guard. I was asking a
lot, and I knew it. I’m not sure I would feel different if I were in his shoes.
    “You
don’t have to do anything, but I just thought maybe you would do it for me, as
a friend,” I said, feeling guilty that I pulled the friend card. After all, he
owed me nothing. We hadn’t even been friends for a week. I figured it might
take some time for him to decide, so I got out of the car to give him the space
he needed.
    “You’re
welcome to come inside and hang out if you want. Thanks for the ride if not.”
    “I
think I will go home. I have some homework I need to work on.”
    I
guessed that wasn’t the only reason he wanted to go home. A little time alone
did wonders the last time, so maybe this time would be the same result.
    “Okay.”
I didn’t want to put any more pressure on him than I already had. “I’ll see you
tomorrow.”
    I
walked up to the house quickly, knowing he wouldn’t drive away until I was
safely inside.
    I
turned and waved as he drove away. I wondered who Eli had a crush on and for
how long it had been a crush, but I probably wouldn’t find out until he was
good and ready, if ever.
    When
I walked through the door I was surprised to hear mom in the kitchen.
    “Hey,
Mom,” I said.
    “Hey,
Abby.”
    I shuffled into the kitchen, but
my mom wasn’t there.
    “Where
are you?” I called.
    “In
the dining room, I have a surprise!” She sounded very excited.
    I
walked in to see her placing a three-candle centerpiece on a beautiful, cherry
hardwood dining room table. The table was rectangle and big enough for six
people. The chairs were entirely made of wood, except for the thick white
cushions.
    “I
hope you don’t mind that I picked it out without you.”
    “Are
you kidding? It’s gorgeous!” I exclaimed.
    The
table was truly more than I would have expected mom to buy. It was exquisite
and must have cost a fortune. 
    “I'm
glad you like it.” She beamed.
    “How
come you’re off work so early?” I asked.
    “They
didn’t need me this afternoon. My boss was off early for a last minute doctor’s
appointment. I figured I would go buy us a table so we could stop eating at the
breakfast bar for every meal, and I was also thinking we could go out for
dinner to catch up. What do you think?”
    “I
would love that,” I answered.
    Due
to our hectic and unpredictable schedule, it had been a long time since we had
gone to a sit-down restaurant. It would be really nice to have some time with
my mom. 
    We
went to an Italian restaurant that we saw the day we moved in. It looked small
and authentic. The inside was larger than it looked from the outside, and the
environment was just how I’d imagine a restaurant in Italy. We ordered our
usual favorites soon after sitting down. 
    “How
is school going?” asked my mom.
    “Good
so far, I have tests on Friday in history and math that I’m sort of dreading,”
I shrugged.
    “Oh.”
My mom made a face.
    “Yeah...”
I said sticking out my tongue. “I've have made a few friends, too. They all
seem nice. I made more friends than I thought I would already. It’s weird. My
first week has been so... productive I guess you could say as far as making
friends goes,” I gushed happily.
    “Really?
I’m so glad to