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I hold up my wine glass again. “To parents who don’t get it!”
We both burst into laughter.
“I hate that you can understand, but it’s nice to have someone who does. For the first six months I was here, my mom called me literally every day to tell me to get back together with my ex. She would tell me about all his accomplishments and whatever. Then, as soon as she found out about Spencer, those calls stopped. It’s only once a week now.”
“Once a week is still annoying. Maybe she’ll eventually figure out you’re not in it for the money.”
I sigh. “Maybe, but probably not. I get that they want a good life for me, but you should’ve seen the pushback they gave me for wanting to go to college. It was even worse when I announced I was moving out here. Though, they’re backtracking on that now.”
“What do you mean?”
“The text my mom just sent said she knew moving to Los Angeles would be the way I’d find a husband. It doesn’t matter that Spencer and I have only been dating for a month, and most of that, we weren’t actually dating.”
Malia laughs. “I’m sorry, but that’s kind of funny.”
“If I don’t laugh about it, I’ll go crazy.”
The pizza arrives, stopping our conversation. It’s right on time for us to take off our masks. I peel it off and touch my smooth face.
“Wow, those masks are great.”
“My favorite brand! Now, let’s eat. I’m starving.”
“You know, I think you and Spencer are good for each other.”
I finish chewing the hot slice of pizza before I respond. “I’m glad for that, but why?”
“It seems like Spencer is happier since he got with you. Plus, you seem like a good fit. You bring out the best in each other.”
“Thank you, Malia. It means a lot to hear that from you.”
“I’m glad. Now, don’t go breaking his heart, or I’ll have to fight you. That wouldn’t be fun because you’re bigger than me.”
I laugh. “I’d let you finish me off.”
“That sounded dirty!”
We erupt into another set of giggles.
We’re quiet again as we eat our pizza slices until I speak. “I’m still worried that things with Spencer have an end date. We agreed not to be fake anymore, but I don’t know. I guess I’m still scared that he’ll find someone better.”
“Remember what we talked about? Positivity, Leila! We must believe in the best to manifest the best.”
“I’m trying, I swear. The first couple of days were easy! I was all about it. Now, I’m thinking I’m being crazy. Why would a guy like Spencer end up with a girl like me?”
Malia is quiet for a second, then she says, “I’m not going to lie and say you and Spencer will get married, have kids, and live happily ever after. No one can promise that. But that’s the point of dating. You have fun for now until it’s not fun anymore. Is it fun now?”
I can’t hide my smile. “Yeah, it’s fun.”
“Then focus on that part.”
“I’ll try. Thanks, Malia.”
She squeezes my shoulder. “I’m here for you, girl. And I’m totally full. If I eat another slice of pizza, I’ll die.”
I take another. “I think I can go one more.”
We both laugh, and as I’m finishing my last slice, leaving just a couple more left in the box, Malia starts setting up the excessive nail polish collection she took from a box under the coffee table.
“Why do you have so many colors?” I ask, barely believing my eyes.
“I like to match my outfits.”
My eyes widen. “You change your nail polish every day?”
“Maybe not every day, but this will be my fifth color this week.”
“Holy crap. I never wear nail polish.”
“Then you have no choice but to let me give you a nail makeover! Let me paint them, please?”
I stuff the last of my pizza into my mouth and hand over my right hand. “Go crazy.”
“Anything you want specifically?”
“I don’t like orange, but that’s my only request.”
“I like when they’re easy.”
“Dirty again!” I say, and we both squeal. Malia has made me feel at home here in Los Angeles. I’m still sick for Mass most days, but it’s nice to have someone here who I can sit and chat with. Plus, the wine and pizza help.
“Tell me about you while you’re doing my nails,” I say. “I feel like we only ever talk about me.”
“That’s because you’re more interesting.”
I roll my eyes. “You’re a fashion designer. There’s no way I’m more interesting than you.”
“My job is boring. At least your love life was all over the place. I’ve been with the same guy forever and mostly sit behind a desk drawing things. But did I tell you I’ve got my own line coming out in the fall? It’s the first one I’ve ever done on my own!”
