Mia walked into her house still smiling. Which was a mistake. A huge mistake. Because her mother noticed immediately. Mothers always noticed. Especially when their daughters walked into the house smiling at absolutely nothing. Mia had barely taken off her shoes before her mom looked up from the kitchen counter.
"Why are you smiling?"
Mia froze.
"I'm not."
"You are."
"I'm really not."
Her mom stared at her. Mia stared back. The staring contest lasted approximately three seconds. Then her mom smiled.
"Oh."
"What?"
"Ohhhhh."
Mia immediately knew she was in trouble.
"What does that mean?"
"Nothing."
"Mom."
"Nothing at all."
"Mom."
Her mother laughed.
Meanwhile, across town, Aiden was having problems too. Specifically Noah. Again.
"You know what this means, right?"
"No."
"You have responsibilities now."
Aiden looked concerned.
"What kind of responsibilities?"
"Boyfriend responsibilities."
"I don't like the sound of that."
"You shouldn't."
Aiden seriously considered blocking Noah's number. Back at Mia's house, dinner was going surprisingly well. Almost suspiciously well. Her mom hadn't mentioned the smiling incident again. She hadn't asked weird questions. She hadn't acted suspicious. Mia should have known it was a trap. A complete trap.
"So," her mom said casually.
Mia immediately became suspicious.
"So?"
"How's school?"
"Good."
"Friends?"
"Good."
"Classes?"
"Good."
Her mom nodded. Then took a sip of water.
"And your boyfriend?"
Mia nearly choked. Her mother waited patiently. Smiling. Mia slowly put down her glass.
"...What?"
"Oh, so there is a boyfriend."
Mia closed her eyes.
Painfully.
She had walked right into that one.
"You tricked me."
"I learned from the best."
"Who?"
"You."
Mia couldn't even argue with that.
Her mother looked far too entertained.
"So."
"Mom."
"Boyfriend?"
Mia buried her face in her hands.
Her mother immediately started laughing.
That was answer enough.
"Oh my God."
"Please stop."
"You have a boyfriend."
"Please."
"Since when?"
Mia peeked through her fingers.
"...Yesterday."
Her mother's eyes widened.
"YESTERDAY?"
"Mom!"
"I leave you alone for one day."
Mia groaned. This was a nightmare. An absolute nightmare. Except... it really wasn't. Because despite how embarrassing this conversation was, she couldn't stop smiling. And unfortunately, her mother noticed that too.
"Oh, you really like him."
Mia froze. For a moment, she didn't know what to say. Then she smiled softly.
"Yeah."
Her mother immediately melted.
"Aww."
"Don't."
"You said 'yeah' like you were in a movie."
"Mom."
"I'm serious."
Mia laughed despite herself. After a while, the teasing settled down. Her mom asked a few normal questions. Was he nice? Did he treat her well? Was he doing okay in school? Mia answered every question honestly. And by the end of the conversation, her mother seemed surprisingly happy.
"He sounds sweet."
Mia smiled.
"He is."
That smile appeared again. The one she'd been wearing all day. Her mother noticed. Again. And somehow, that made her smile too. The next morning, Mia arrived at school feeling slightly nervous. Not because of classes. Not because of homework. Because her mom knew. Somehow, that made everything feel more real. When she reached her locker, she spotted Aiden leaning against the one next to hers. The second he saw her, he smiled. And just like that, her nervousness disappeared.
"Morning."
"Morning."
For a few seconds, neither said anything. Then Aiden noticed something.
"What?"
"What what?"
"You're smiling."
Mia laughed.
"You said that like it's suspicious."
"It is suspicious."
She shook her head. Then opened her locker.
"My mom knows."
Aiden blinked. Then froze. Mia immediately started laughing.
"Oh my God."
"No."
"Yes."
"No."
"Yes."
Aiden looked horrified.
"Your mom knows?"
"Yep."
"What did she say?"
Mia grinned.
"She likes you."
Aiden stared at her. Speechless. For perhaps the first time in his life. Then he looked away. Trying (and failing) to hide his smile. Unfortunately for him, Mia saw it. And unfortunately for both of them... So did Noah.
"WAIT."
Both turned. Noah was standing in the hallway. Looking shocked.
"GIRLFRIEND'S MOM APPROVES OF YOU ALREADY?"
Aiden groaned. Mia groaned. Several nearby students turned around. Noah pointed dramatically.
"THIS IS MOVING WAY TOO FAST."
"NOAH."
"I'M JUST SAYING."
"NOAH."
"OKAY, I'M DONE."
He wasn't done. Not even close. And as Noah continued causing problems, Aiden looked at Mia and couldn't help smiling. Because somehow, in less than a week, everything had changed. And for once... He wouldn't have changed a thing.