07. No Sh*t Sherlock

                                    

                                          
ARI.
                          
Friday evening came faster than I had expected. Figures. When I wanted nothing more than the weekend to come, it seemed like Wednesday and Thursday lasted for more than 24 hours, elongating the week by a landslide. While the majority of civilization looked forward to Friday nights, I was dreading mine because in less than two hours, I was expecting Luke Hemmings to show up at my house for our little "date."
                          
I almost regretted pushing the white boy to go along with his mom's plans but then I remembered the happy look Liz Hemmings had on her face the moment I agreed to let Luke take me out to dinner. I couldn't disappoint her, and I had to keep reminding myself that tonight's play date with Luke was for his mom.
                          
After showering and horribly singing at the top of my lungs to Paramore for several minutes as I blow-dried my hair, I stood in front of my closet looking for something to wear. I actually didn't know where Luke and I were going to eat and I prayed to the restaurant Gods that he wasn't planning on anywhere too trendy or high class. I opted for a pair of dark washed, high waisted skinny jeans and a loose-fitted, white cropped tee-shirt. With some makeup on my face and after deeming myself decent enough to be seen by other humans, I grabbed my purse, letting it hang from my elbow.
                          
From the corner of my eye I noticed a car pull up from the driveway. I peeked closer outside of my window and the moment I did I felt my phone vibrate in my back pocket. Without having to look, I already knew it was Luke. I ran down the steps, slipping on my combat boots.
                          
"Anak? Where are you going?"
                          
(translation: child, dear)
                          
I turned my head, seeing my mom enter the foyer from the living room, "I'm going out to dinner with a friend mom. I'll be home later."
                          
"Which friend? Ashton, Michael, Calum?" she asked.
                          
I shook my head, "no, his name is Luke. He's already outside."
                          
"Luke? Anak, sino iyan? Boyfriend mo? Will he be your escort for your debut?" mom questioned, a large grin etched on her face. I groaned, walking towards her.
                          
(translation: child or dear, who is that? your boyfriend?)
                          
"He's just a friend. Not even a friend. Acquaintances really. And I'm not having a debut," I told her.
                          
"Why not? Your sister didn't have one and I've always wanted to throw you one," mom expressed.
                          
I felt a pang of guilt hit my heart, but I couldn't sit and discuss it with her. The idea of a huge coming out party with dancing, dresses, and all the attention on my awkward self was something that did not appeal to me at all.
                          
Another buzz from my pocket.
                          
"Mom I have to go now, I'll see you later," I leaned down and kissed her cheek.
                          
"Bye Ari. Ingat," she advised, as I walked out the door and closed it behind me.
                          
(translation: be careful)
                          
Luke sat in his car with his windows rolled down, music playing from his speakers. His eyes were fixated on his the phone in his hand but upon hearing the shuffles of rubber soles to concrete, he looked out the passenger side window.
                          
"Took you long enough," he bellowed.
                          
My eye twitched in annoyance, "I had to say goodbye to my mom, because unlike you I actually respect mine."
                          
He mumbled something under his breath that I couldn't quite understand, but because it was Hemmings I was pretty sure that it was something rude.
                          
I opened the car door and sat inside, taking in the inside of Luke's vehicle. Like his room, it wasn't too messy nor totally clean. There was clear sign of some kind of citrus car freshener lurking on the cushions and a few empty water bottles on the floor. I turned to Luke who wore an outfit similar to what he normally wears-- dockers, collared polo shirt, and leather shoes.