Time After Time

Part 15

Lux's P.O.V.

Corey nervously leans forward and speaks in a low voice as his eyes stare into mine. "Will you be my girlfriend?"

My heart flutters as though a tiny bird were stuck inside of my chest. The word 'yes' shoots out of my mouth quicker than I can think it- not that I even need to think this through. I've waited nearly 4 years for this. Corey immediately wraps his arms around my waist and picks me up with little effort. My feet dangle inches above the ground as we exchange long kisses.

"I've got a pretty cute girlfriend." Corey smiles as he sets me back on the ground.

I look up at him as his height towers over me. "Oh yeah? I've got a pretty charming boyfriend."

Corey let's out a chuckle and reaches for my hand as we begin walking. We only make it half way down the street until a red car slows down beside us. A man with dark curly hair calls out to Corey from the window.

"Jesus, Stone. You scared me." Corey exhales as he walks towards the car. I let go of his hand and stay behind, as I have no idea who this person is.

"Sorry. What're you doing here, anyways?" The man asks as he slips his sunglasses off, revealing a pair light blue eyes.

"Nothing. I'm just with my girlfriend," Corer turns to me and then back to Stone. "Lux."

"Lux? That's a bad ass name. Nice to meet you, I'm Stone." He reveals a bright smile before setting his sunglasses back on. He turns back towards Corey and speaks with a straight face. "I'm going to check on Mom. I'll see you later."

"Okay, later." Corey gives a weak wave as the red car drives off.

"Who was that?" I ask, inching closer towards Corey.

He lets out a deep sigh before responding. "My brother." I remain silent for a while, unable to think of a good way to respond. "He's uhm- a bassist for a band." Corey shyly laughs and wraps his arm around my shoulder as we continue walking. "He lives with their drummer right now, so I just see him every now and then."

I nod my head and smile. "Are you two close?"

"We used to be. I mean, we still are. But not really..." Corey trails off and shrugs, "if that makes sense."

"Yeah, it completely does." I pause before continuing, wondering if I should mention this. "And your mom? He said he was going to check in on her?" Suddenly, Corey's face floods white as he doesn't let a sound escape his lips. His eyes look wild, lost in thought as we keep walking up and down the street. "I'm sorry. You don't have to answer that." I apologetically say, feeling bad for have asking something that was none of my business.

"What? Oh, no it's okay." Corey suddenly says, sounding zoned out. "My mom has a drinking problem. She's been like that ever since my dad left, so Stone and I have to watch out for her. You know, make sure she doesn't go over board."

I nod my head as a deep pain pierces my heart. I can't imagine what that feels like for him. I clear my throat and stop as I lay my hands onto Corey's shoulders. "I'm really sorry about that, Corey. It's insane that you have to go through it...but I'm happy you shared it with me."

Corey's face brightens as he pulls me into a hug and says, "It's okay, I'm alright. And never feel bad about asking me stuff. You can ask me anything, baby." He pulls away and holds onto my arms. "Okay?"

"Okay." I quietly respond as a rush of happiness pours through me.

•

Corey starts driving me home, now that it's 4:45 P.M. I was surprised to see that he remembered I was going to yoga with Lucy today. He sits straight in his seat with his left hand on the wheel and his right on my knee. I flick through the radio stations until I stop on 'Heaven Is A Place On Earth' by Belinda Carlisle.

"Hey, I love this song!" Corey exclaims, reaching for the volume.

I giggle to myself as Corey continues to drive and nod his head to the beat. He looks so cute, oh my god. Corey loudly sings all of the words as he glances at me every now and then with a "I'm a teenage boy, and I like it." face. How does he know all the words? I've never even heard this song before.

We slowly come to a stop in front of my house and I notice my mother outside watering the flowers.

"Is that your mom? I'll go say hi." Corey begins to open his door but I stop him.

"Wait! You don't have to. I mean- she's kind of not all there..." I shrugged my shoulders. I don't know why I feel so nervous about Corey meeting my mom. Probably because she's never met any of the guys of dated, mostly because I've hardly ever dated. And why did I have to say she wasn't all there? She's perfectly normal! I mean,
I'd probably act weird too if I caught my husband in bed with another man.

"No, I want to. I mean, I am your boyfriend now." Corey chuckles, steps out the car, and walks down the stone paved path as I waddle behind him. "Hello, Mrs. Fontaine."

My mom turns around and sets the watering can down as she walks over. "Hello there!"

"I'm Corey Haim." He reaches his hand out as my mother gives a gentle hand shake.

"Nice to meet you, Corey! I'm Lux's mom," She gives out a laugh. "but you can call me June!"

I wedge myself closer and stand between them. "This is my boyfriend, Mom."

"Oh! I thought you two were already together." She smiles and let's out a goofy laugh before turning around and continuing to water the flowers.

"Yeah...so that's my mom." I whisper to Corey as he quietly chuckles.

"She's so nice! Where's your dad?" Corey asks as he buries his hands into his pocket.

"He left us, too, actually." I say as a frown forms on Corey's face. "No, it's okay! Honestly, I'm not sad or anything. Even when my dad was here, it was always kind of me and my mom against the world."

Corey nods and pecks my cheek. "I'm happy we found each other." His cheeks fry red as he attempts to pull down the smile plastered on his face.

"Me too." I grin, pulling him into a kiss as my mom obliviously waters her dandelions.