"Lies"

Something about today felt different. Why you ask? I guess it's the fact that lately, mom has been in a really and I mean REALLY good mood. Sure it's normal to see her happy, but this happiness was a bit different.

Since I was suspended, Luis and Dean would bring me my homework and also tell me what's been going on in the school. It was just pretty boring stories until Luis said that Cooper is supposed to come back to school the same day I was. I couldn't care less as long as he didn't intervene with me, or anyone from the team.

"Luis, you can't possibly tell me that my mom is acting a bit... different" I explained as I followed beside him to school

He shrugs "Maybe she got a raise?"

"That doesn't seem it.... I've seen this look before, but I can't put my finger on it" I said, thinking really hard

Luis let out a quick gasp as he quickly covered his mouth. I turned to look at him, waiting for his response, but he turned away.

"C'mon Luis, just spit it out!" I begged

"Alright, but don't be surprised if I tell you this"

I shrugged "It can't be that bad"

"Is she talking to someone?" He guessed

I couldn't help but laugh at that guess "Seriously? My mom? She said she wasn't gonna date anymore. She told me herself"

"You never know Nai, she probably found someone she likes which is the reason why she's so happy" Luis adds

I shrugged off the thought of that. Seeing my mom with someone else? My guess is that she got a raise and is proud that she is getting recognition for her hard work.

She wouldn't move on from dad.

"Oh I almost forgot" Luis broke the silence "Cooper is in our last two periods, Math and English"

I let out a groan "Anything else I need to know?"

"I don't think so, but since our teachers heard about the fight, they both seated us away from Cooper so we wouldn't have to have another fight going on" he recalled as we went inside the school building.

It was like an alien walking down the hallway. Everyone just stared at me and quite frankly, it gave me anxiety.

"You'll get used to the staring. They are doing it to all of the team members along with Cooper's friends" Luis whispered

*****

"Finally, that hell hole is over!" Julie yawned "I was about to fall asleep in History"

"You and me both" Guy said as we all headed to the stadium

Supposably, Coach Bombay had a surprise for us and wanted all of us to be at the stadium as soon as possible. We all guessed new jersey's or knew gear, but it seemed like this one was big time exciting.

"Bet it's more pucks, he did this last time and we each had a whole bucket of them" Connie thought out loud

"I still have half a bucket" Julie snickered as we put on our blades

"Ayo ladies hurry it up will ya? We don't got all day" Russ shouted as we quickly got out of the locker room

We all scattered on the ice rink, talking, guessing again, and back to talking until Coach Bombay came with a clipboard.

"What's the big surprise Coach?" Charlie asked as everyone quickly shushed and stared at Bombay

"Are we gettin' some new fresh jersey's?" Robertson spoke

"Or more pucks" Jessie mumbled

"Now now let's settle down. We all can admit that we have been working really hard. After the last tournament, we each learned on how to get better" Bombay explained

"Where is this going?" Adam said

"Well... let's just say since I liked the dedication from you all, I put us in another tournament" he finally said, making us all hyped and jump up from excitement

"Ah ah ah! I'm not finished yet! This tournament has the toughest teams. Some teams we went against and others that I've seen from different cities" he added "But there is a alright problem..."

"Whatever it is, we can handle" Fulton scoffed as we all agreed

"The admission is around five hundred..."

"Please mean five hundred sandwiches" Goldberg hoped

"More like five hundred dollars" Bombay finally said, making us gulp

"Now how are we gonna get that kind of dough?" Lester worried

"Well- how's about we do a car wash or something" I thought out loud "I know it's not much, but we should also do things in the side, like mow lawns or do deeds for people"

"She's got a point, I probably have some old skates that I don't use, probably sell those..." Charlie added

"Yeah! And I can work extra hard with my mom so she can give me some tips" Goldberg chimed

"Guess it's settled! We will start planning on Saturday everything so we can get the money- wait- when do we need it?" I asked Bombay

"We have a month" he answered

"In a month! That gives us a lot of time"

"I can taste the victory already" Ken dreamed as Fulton smacked him out of it

"Let's first do practice. Then you can dream all you want Ken"

*****

"Alright guys, let's work hard in these upcoming months so we can get victory in this upcoming tournament!"

We all headed our separate ways as we found more ideas to gain more money. I already thought of many ideas, mostly selling some old stuff I don't use anymore.

"You know, I think this tournament might be the one" Luis smiled

"Might be challenging, but who says we're gonna back down huh?"

"We should definitely use our move that we came up with, but not too much that the teams will already know the strategy" He added

I watched as Luis headed down the street as I went inside my house. I can smell the meatloaf from where I'm standing, making my mouth water like a waterfall.

"Cariño, cierra la boca por favor (Honey, please close your mouth), I don't want you to be drooling all over the carpet" mom giggled as I closed it shut

"Meatloaf huh? You already knew it's my favorite dish"

"Yes it is, just wanted to make something special for my little girl that's all" She smiled as she kissed my forehead "But first go take a shower, then you can eat"

I did what she said, but something caught me off guard. She doesn't make me meatloaf unless she has need to tell me, or she did something. Maybe Luis could be right.

"Psh! Don't think that! Mamá already told you, she wouldn't move on from dad" I thought as I went downstairs

"Come and munch on sweetheart, your food will get cold"

"Right..." I mumbled as I took a seat across from her "Sooo... you sure there isn't a reason for you to make this?"

"No reason, just wanted you to feel special today" she smiled

"Right, and you decided to give Nico some even though you never gave Nico any human food since the day we adopted him?" I continued, getting more suspicious of her

"Just thought that he needed to try something new, this is the one time he would eat this. Promise"

"Alright" I nodded

There was something she was hiding, but I didn't understand what. The look she always has is also a thing that is bugging me since I can't remember when I've seen her like this.

As I finished my meal I headed back to my room, Nico by my side.

"I don't get what it is Nico, but whatever it is, I'll find out sooner or later" I told him as he lays on my bed

What is that woman's secret?

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I'm sorry for not posting. Guess you can say I've been having writers block, but I'm getting better!