Aiden had made one very serious mistake. He thought surviving Mia's first visit meant the hard part was over. It wasn't. Not even close. The problem was that his mother had gone from disapproving to curious, and curiosity was somehow much more dangerous. The entire next week, she kept casually bringing Mia into conversations. Very casually. Suspiciously casually. Aiden noticed immediately. Unfortunately, so did Ava. Which meant his suffering doubled. By Thursday evening, Aiden was sitting in the living room when his mother walked in carrying a cup of tea. The moment she sat down, he knew something was coming. He could feel it.
"Aiden."
"No."
His mother sighed.
"I haven't said anything."
"You were about to."
"Maybe."
Aiden pointed.
"Exactly."
Ava appeared from nowhere. Literally nowhere. Nobody knew where she'd come from.
"What are we talking about?"
"Nothing."
"Mia?"
Aiden groaned. His mother ignored him.
"Actually..."
"No."
"Aiden."
"No."
His mother smiled. A terrible sign.
"How did Mia do on her history exam?"
Aiden blinked.
"What?"
"Her history exam."
"Why do you want to know?"
His mother shrugged.
"Just curious."
Ava immediately laughed.
"Mom likes Mia."
"I do not."
"You totally do."
"I do not."
"You asked about her grades."
His mother looked offended.
"Parents ask questions."
"Not like that."
Aiden sat there watching the conversation unfold. Completely confused. Because Ava had a point. His mother had asked about Mia three times this week. On Monday she asked if Mia liked sports. On Tuesday she asked what Mia wanted to study after graduation. Yesterday she asked if Mia always read that much. At this point it was becoming suspicious. Very suspicious.
"Mom."
"What?"
"Do you like Mia?"
His mother immediately looked away. Which was answer enough. Ava gasped dramatically.
"Oh my God."
"Stop being dramatic."
"Oh my God."
"Ava."
"Oh my God."
His father walked into the room and took one look at the situation. Then smiled. Immediately. Traitor.
"What's happening?"
"Mom likes Mia."
His father nodded.
"Yeah."
The room went silent. His mother stared at him. Aiden stared at him. Ava stared at him.
"What?"
"You knew?"
"Obviously."
His father looked genuinely confused.
"As soon as she came over."
His mother folded her arms.
"I never said that."
"You made her favorite dessert."
A pause. A long pause. Aiden's eyes widened.
"Ava doesn't even get her favorite dessert."
"HEY."
His mother looked betrayed.
"You're all impossible."
Ava started laughing so hard she nearly fell off the couch. Even Aiden couldn't stop smiling. Because for the first time since this whole thing started, his mother didn't seem angry anymore. Just stubborn. Later that evening, Aiden was in his room when his phone buzzed.
Mia: Sophie says your mom likes me.
Aiden immediately laughed.
Aiden: How does Sophie know everything?
Mia: That's not important.
Mia: Is it true?
Aiden thought about it. Then grinned.
Aiden: Maybe.
The reply came instantly.
Mia: AIDEN.
Aiden: What?
Mia: Tell me.
Aiden: She asked about you three times this week.
Three dots appeared. Disappeared. Appeared again.
Mia: Really?
Aiden: Really.
A pause followed.
Then:
Mia: That's actually kind of sweet.
Aiden smiled. Because honestly? It was. A few months ago, the idea of his mother asking about a girl would've been ridiculous. Now? She was slowly becoming Team Mia. Even if she'd never admit it.