Read Online Resplendent by M. J. Abraham - Free Book Online

weed and only during special occasions . What could I do? Be a tattletale? I hoped she’d outgrow this stage after high school. Lola would have a heart attack if she found out.
    “Just be careful,” I said quietly.
    Carmin said, “ Mmm hmmm ,” her usual response to me lately when I tried to be the voice of reason.
    I helped Carmin get ready as much as I could, but an ache formed in my chest when the doorbell rang, and I sneaked into the shower. Carmin seemed really into her date, and I felt guilty for not waiting to shower till after she left, but watching Lola coo over her and take pictures would just send me on an emotional roller coaster. It had already been too hard to visit my parents’ gravesite that morning, as it was. The day crept up on me like a hurricane: slow, steady, and powerful. No matter how hard I prepared for it, it left me in a bad state with open wounds.
    I put on my favorite soft cotton pajama bottoms and one of my dad’s T-shirts that I usually saved for days I felt despondent.
    I grabbed the yearbook off my dresser and sat on the bed with my back against the wall. I smiled at the dedications my friends had left, when Lola walked into my room.
    “ Nena , can you help me move some boxes into the storage closet, please?”
    I nodded and closed the book. Following her down the hallway, I turned and saw Andres standing by the front door with a book bag over his shoulder, a plastic bag in his hand, and a goofy grin. He was dressed in blue plaid pajama bottoms and a white cotton T-shirt. When he held up the plastic bag, his arms looked yummy.
    “A girl’s gotta eat, right?”
    My mouth fell open, and all I could do was gawk, while Lola stood smiling.
    “Well, don’t just stand there. Ven, entra .” Lola motioned for him to follow her into the kitchen. I shook my head and stared at him incredulously. Before he could move, I walked over and wrapped my arms around his waist, smelling the detergent off his T-shirt and soap from the shower; it was calming.
    “You okay?” He kissed the top of my head.
    I nodded against the fabric. “I am, now that you’re here.”
    His chuckle vibrated in his chest before the deep, rich sound fell from his lips. He surrounded me in so many ways.
    I reluctantly let go and we walked together to the dining room table. While we ate, I declared Andres had brought me the best Mexican food I’d ever tried. He even remembered the bottle of hot sauce, Cholula.
    I gave him a once over again and raised my eyebrow. “Why are you in pajamas?” I asked once we were done eating.
    “Because that’s what you wear for an Anti-Prom Night party,” he answered simply and stood up to help me clear the table.
    I motioned a finger between the both of us. “Is that what this is?”
    He nodded, his face devoid of any humor. “Oh definitely, we have a very busy night ahead of us.”
    I caught the gleam in his eyes and felt warmth rush from my cheeks down to my toes. I hurriedly cleaned the table, while Andres threw away all the paper bags and plates. His planned surprise was driving me crazy. Once we finished in the kitchen, he grabbed my hand and we both yelled out goodnight to my godmother.
    “I want the door open, you two! No making out!” she called out as we walked down the hall.
    “ Madrina !” I froze and pressed my face into Andres’ back, praying he wouldn’t turn around. He laughed, but I found nothing funny about the warning.
    “She gave me the rules when I called,” he assured me and leaned his hands back to tickle my waist.
    I groaned. Now I knew why Carmin would rather sneak away on her dates than let her mother know the truth.
    I looked up and saw his face was turned to me. He winked. I scowled. Not funny . When we walked into the room, he glanced down at my bed. “Oh, the famous yearbook.” He grabbed it and plopped himself on the mattress, moving over so I could lie next to him. “Let’s make fun of people.”
    I giggled and we flipped through the pages