Chapter Thirty Three : De Angelis House

"Quickly, Mr.Hugh will be here any second." My mom said as soon as I got home from football practice, ushering me into my bedroom and shoving a black suit into my arms. Today I'd officially meet Mr.Hugh to have a more in depth discussion about being able to play on his team in the future. Dakota would also be at my house soon in hopes of keeping me from having a mental break down in front of Mr.Hugh.

I ran to my bathroom and stripped off all of my clothes in a hurry, jumping in the shower, not bothering to wait for the water to warm up beforehand. The only thought that went through my mind was don't make yourself look like an idiot, my future was in the hands of this guy. After washing up and drying off, I looked at my reflection in the mirror as I combed my hair back after wiping it down.

"This is your chance, Luka. Your chance to prove to every one that they were wrong about you." I spoke aloud, hearing my voice bounce off the walls of my bathroom, trying to give myself the confidence I desperately needed for tonight. I knew there was nothing to worry about, the only thing that worried me was if it would be tonight that my mom would decide that she had enough civil conversations with me and return back to her past self full of ignorance.

"Do you always talk to yourself?" Dakota said from behind me making me instantly jump. I turned around to face him to find him stood in the doorway, tightly hanging onto my towel wrapped around my waist that nearly had fallen off. It'd taken me a moment to come back with some witty remark after seeing him. He was dressed to the nine's in a dark suit and tie, similar to mine and it almost looked like he'd taken the time to do his hair.

"Do you always broodingly stand in people's doorways?" I said, shoving past him. Not as witty as I'd wanted but it sufficed. I picked up my suit from my bed, getting ready to change only to set it back down again. I turned around realizing Dakota was still standing in my bathroom doorway, staring at me with a huge grin. I walked over to him, grabbing his forearm.

"What?"

"Out."

"Why? I've seen you naked plenty of times!"

"Out." I said as I shoved him out my bedroom door, praying my mom didn't hear him say that. God only knows what conclusions she'd jump to. I sighed, walking over to my bed. I could already feel that this night was going to be handful. I had thought having Dakota would put my nerves at ease but I was as nervous as I'd be if I were alone. I grabbed the suit and threw it on, struggling to do the one thing that a tie needed, tying. I heard a knock at my door before it opened.

"Now you choose to knock?" I chuckled watching Dakota in the reflection of the mirror.

"You look dashing." He said as he closed the door behind him. I rolled my eyes and turned my attention back to the mirror, practically wrestling with the tie in my hands.

"Here, let me help." He said as he walked over to me. He grabbed the tie from my hands, brushing his hand against mine and wrapped the loose tie around my neck with our faces inches apart and so close I could feel his breath on me. He crossed the ends over each other, looping one end through and pulled it up, perfectly tying it in place.

"Thanks."

"You're welcome." He said with a smile as he gently tapped the tip of my nose with his finger.

"You both look so handsome." My mom said from the kitchen as Dakota and I walked out of my bedroom, a wide spread smile stretched across her face revealing a gummy smile. I mumbled a thanks as I walked into the living room. I sat on the couch, carefully with Dakota. The suit felt constricting on my body, I thought I'd rip it if I moved too much so I sat still and stiff, counting down the minutes and waiting for Mr.Hugh's arrival. The door bell rang not long after and I jumped at the sound of it, staring at the door as if my life depended on it, in a way it did.

"It's only my parents." Dakota said as he stood up in a hurry, briskly walking to the front door to be greeted by Mr. and Mrs.Moreau who had a smile on each face. I couldn't tell if Mrs.Moreau was cleaning up her act or really good at hiding her addiction. After seeing her so wasted and a mess I didn't think I'd ever see her any other way, it might have been wrong of me but I couldn't help those thoughts from entering my mind, lingering at the back of my mind and wondering if she was the root of Dakota's drinking problem. I shook my head, regretting the thought from crossing my mind.

"Nervous, boys?" Mr.Moreau asked, pulling me back into reality and out of my head. I was too wrapped up in my mind that at some point he and Mrs.Moreau joined me in the living room. I nodded as I sighed deeply, feeling the air leave my lungs while trying to get my act together in time for Mr.Hugh. After what felt like hours, my mom finished cooking- baked chicken, ribs, peas, carrots, baked potatoes, everything you could think of. I didn't understand why she'd felt the need to cook so much when I for one, knew I'd be too nervous to eat anything. The doorbell rang as I was helping my mom set up the dinner table, freezing at the sound of that daunting chime.

"That must be him." My mom said as she set down the baked potatoes, wiping her hands on her apron and nearly running to answer it. I could hear my heart pounding in my chest, pumping with adrenaline. I glanced over at Dakota, who looked just as nervous as I did.

"Michael, how nice to see you!" My mom said as she opened the door. Dakota and I exchanged confused stares, wondering why in the world Michael would be here of all times.

"You must be Mr. and Mrs. Carina, so nice to meet you. Honey, come say hi." She said over her shoulder, waving my dad over as she let them in. Michael was spiffed up head to toe in black and it clicked, he was scouted.

I stood stiff, perplexed as to why my mom was completely okay with them showing up unannounced. I didn't intend to come off as hostile but I was nervous as it was and now Michael and Dakota were standing in the same room with each other, exchanging unreadable expressions that made me anxious. I moved from my frozen state in the dining room and walked back into the living room taking a seat across from Dakota, trying to decide if it would be a good idea to talk to Michael but before I could, he sat down beside me.

"Hey, good to be back." He chuckled, inspecting the house with his eyes. I stared at him, unable to get a word out.

"My father is friends with Mr.Hugh and my dad kind of invited himself, sorry.. but your mom said it was fine."

I nodded, brushing it off but in reality I wanted to grab my mother by the shoulders and question her sanity. On the other hand, she didn't know the real reason Dakota and I had a fall out and where Michael came into all of it.

"I figured we could all meet Mr.Hugh together, two birds one stone!" She smiled proudly, as if she'd saved the world but she'd only burned my world to the ground. I shook my head and scoffed, knowing I was being over dramatic but at the same time I didn't care.

We sat in silence as each of our parents exchanged greetings in the dining room like long time friends who'd met up for their high school reunion. I stared at the floor for the entirety of our time together, not daring to look either Dakota or Michael in the eyes. But I could feel their gazes boring into me and going right though me like lava. It was quiet, not a word left either of our mouths, I didn't exactly know what to say. Michael, Dakota was sorry for punching you in the face after kissing me, I didn't think it was a good conversation starter. Matter of fact I didn't think Dakota was sorry.

The doorbell rang for what felt like the thousandth time and for a moment I wondered if it would be Mr.Hugh this time or just another guest that my mom failed to mention. She rushed to open it as Dakota and I stood up along with Michael, staring at the door way, each as nervous as the next.

"Mr.Hugh, come in." My mom said as she opened door. I walked up to him with a heavy heart that felt like it'd burst out of my chest at any given moment and extended my hand to shake his with a firm grip.

"Nice to see you again sir."

"Very nice to see you boys." He said as he exchanged greetings with Dakota and Michael.

Me.Hugh was blown away, his words, by my mom's cooking. After cutting the chit chat, we'd discussed the scholarship and the football program the school offered, as long as I continued doing what I was doing, I'd have nothing to worry about and for the most part dinner went fine, other than Dakota staring at Michael the whole duration of it. I prayed he didn't lunge over the table at him.

"I look forward to seeing you boys in the future." Mr.Hugh said as he nodded towards the three of us.

"Thank you sir." It was said in unison like something off of children of the corn, making me shiver. After many goodbye's, he'd left and I was able to breath again. I ran a hand over my face, not realizing how much I was sweating.

"This calls for a celebration." My mom said as she stood up and walked into the kitchen, pulling out a bottle of wine from the fridge. Seeing that bottle made me nervous and I instinctly glanced at Dakota. Would seeing alcohol somehow put him on the edge, tempt him back into it? Not to mention Mrs.Moreau, a supposed recovering alcoholic. What was my mom thinking?

"I don't think that's a good idea." I couldn't stop the words from coming out of my mouth. My mom arched her brow at me in confusion as Mr.Moreau glanced at me from the side of his eye, more than likely wondering how I knew it was a bad idea. Mr.Carina and his wife looked equally as confused at what I'd just said.

"Honey, don't be silly." My mom said as she poured the cups of wine for herself and the others. I looked down at my plate, partially embarrassed for blurting that out.

"I really don't think that's a good idea Mrs. De Angelis." Dakota said with clutched fists.

"One glass won't hurt right?" My mom said as she patted Mrs.Moreau on her shoulder, not backing down.

"I said-" Dakota paused, pushing up from his chair and storming up to my mom, forcefully grabbing the bottle of wine from her hands before throwing it at the wall. It shattered to pieces and the wine went everywhere, dripping down the wall like blood.

The room fell silent, not a word or even a breath from any one. My mom's mouth was gapped open as she stood frozen, unsure of what to do next.

Dakota stormed out of the house, leaving us all in bewilderment. For a while I couldn't move or speak. Mrs.Moreau broke down, sobbing into her hands uncontrollably, mumbling out incoherent words. Michael looked at me for answers that I didn't have, I couldn't tell him Mrs.Moreau was a raging alcoholic, it wasn't my place. After some time Mr.Moreau stood up and walked up to his wife, helping her to her feet as she continued to cry.

He mumbled out an apology before taking his leave.

"Well I'm so glad you were able to come Mr and Mrs.Carina." My mom said with a smile, as if nothing happened.

"Thank you." He said, wiping his mouth and standing to his feet, along with his wife. Michael trailed behind them, waving at me as he walked out the door.

I ran a hand through my hair, unsure of what the hell to do and all I could think about was if Dakota and I would still be able to be friends.

A/N I just loved writing that last bit! Can you believe Dakota did that!? Anyway vote, comment and tell me your thoughts! They're very much appreciated!