HOW DO you know when you are too excited?

Is it when you take a bath and wear your best clothing just because you’re getting your first video call from a girl? Or when you count the number of minutes left to get that call?

I don’t know what is considered excitement, but I am sure I was suffering from it because I did all that.

I agreed to get a video call from Aretta at 5 PM and I prepared myself for it. I even went as far as reading conversation starters to avoid making the conversation awkward.

Maybe I overdid things more when I started counting the number of seconds left to 5 PM. I was too excited, and it makes no sense because I would simply talk to Aretta.

When her name popped up on my screen, only God knows how much my heart recognized it. I couldn’t believe it, but I was nervous and the increase in my heart rate was enough to tell me so.

I deliberately delayed answering her video call so that she wouldn’t think I was so excited about it. After 30 seconds of counting, I finally answered it.

“Hey, Luca. How are you?” Aretta said. She positioned her phone in a way that I could only see her face and not what she was wearing. What a bummer.

I remembered reading in the conversation starters that simply answering fine is boring. So I needed to be a little extra.

“I am just chilling with the breeze-breeze, yoh. Oh no, what does that even mean?” I smacked my head.“ I mean, I am fine, and how are you?”

Wow Luca, now she can tell you’re nervous.

She giggled slightly. “I am fine too, just caught up in thought.”

That’s such a good way to keep the conversation going! Not the rubbish you just said.“ What are you thinking about?”

“Well, you know this project. It’s harder than I thought. It is like we have to morph our life stories.”

“What makes you say so?”

“Well, we are telling both our stories in one art piece so we gotta mix them. Which means we have to look for something in our life stories that we have in common.”

“Hmmm.” I rubbed my chin.“ So how will we do that?”

“We have to become friends to execute this project well. To be honest with you, Luca, even without this project in mind; I would totally be friends with you. You seem fun.”

A wide grin formed on my face.“ Thanks. You seem fun too.”

“Aww thank you. I am even shocked you talk this much. I used to notice you in class. At some point, I thought you can not talk at all.”

I laughed.“I guess introverts only talk more when they are comfortable.”

“Aww, so you’re comfortable with me?”

“Coming to think about it, I am. I wouldn’t say a lot if I wasn’t.”

“I am comfortable too.” She smirked.

An awkward silence followed and such moments on a video call make things so weird, so I instantly threw the first question that came to my mind. “What’s your favorite color?”

She scrunched up her face.“ I guess it would be purple.”

“What type of purple?”

She raised her brow.“ They are even types?”

“Yes, shades like eggplant purple, iris purple, or amethyst purple. It has types. So what is your favorite shade?”

“I like any shade as long as it’s purple.” She chuckled.“ Let me guess, yours is sky blue?”

“Actually, my favorite color is kinda embarrassing. I like pink.” I giggled when I noticed the shock on her face.“ Flamingo pink, to be exact.”

“Before I say much, why?” She smiled.

“It’s good you asked why because it’s kinda a funny story.”

“I am listening.” She snickered.

“I love the color because it reminds me of my mom. My mom was obsessed with pink and so when I was a child she always got me pink clothes. She didn’t get me girl’s clothing but got clothing for guys with a lighter shade of pink so that it wouldn’t seem girly. I don’t know how that made sense to her, though. My dad hated that a lot and stopped her from getting such for me. But even though he did, my mom made me obsessed with the color, and wearing it always reminds me of her.”

“Now I understand. So how often do you wear it?”

“All the time. Even now my trousers is that color.”

“Can I see?” She bit her lower lip.

I got up and positioned my phone nicely.“ Allow me to model for you.”

I made that serious face male models always make and clenched my jaw. I walked dramatically to the end of my room in my white long-sleeved shirt and pink trousers, then came back to my phone. “I know what you are thinking and I agree. I have a nice behind.”

She laughed. “I definitely enjoyed watching you model around. I like how loose the trousers is on you. It’s such a perfect fit. I think the entire outfit looks good on you.”

I tightened my lips. “Strong guys do not blush.”

Upon hearing my words, she burst into laughter. Her continuous laughter sent me laughing, too.

“Aretta, it is considered mad to be laughing on your own!” a voice I knew was Mrs. Okorie’s shouted in the background.

“Mom, I am talking to someone.” She replied, turning her head to the side.

“Is it your boyfriend, Luca?” Her mom screamed. “Aww, it is him!”

Aretta immediately winked at me and turned her attention to her mom that came into her room. She didn’t take too long to come. It’s like she came running.

Aretta positioned her phone so that I could see both of their faces well enough.

Mrs. Okorie beamed. “Luca, I am thrilled to know you’re making my daughter this happy. How are you doing, my son-in-law?”

Son in law?

“I am fine, and how are you?” I replied, smiling to prevent her from thinking I found that weird. Even though I did.

Aretta stayed quiet as her eyes widened. I guess she also found it weird that her mom called me her son-in-law.

“I am fine. By the way Luca, I’m sorry to disturb this beautiful moment you’re both having, but Aretta has to cook the meal we will eat.”

“But mom we haven’t finished discussing something important,” Aretta whined.

“You can text each other after you’re done cooking. In the meantime, say bye to each other.”

Aretta smiled.  “I guess, bye Luca, see you at school tomorrow.”

“Okay, bye Aretta...“I was about to cut the call when her mom immediately disrupted me.

“Oh no, you two are pathetic.” She said, nodding her head in disappointment.

“Wow, mom why do you say so?” Aretta said, smiling bitterly.

“You didn’t use any sweet words to each other and none of you ended the call with an I love you. That’s kinda lame.” She said, and that instantly brought a smile to my face. I found it funny that she wanted us to say that to each other when we do not even feel that way about each other.

“So mom you want me to be saying such while you’re watching and listening to me?”

“Why shouldn’t I watch? It’s not like you’re making porn or something.” She immediately laughed at her own words.

Wow! her mom is definitely unique.

“By the way, mom, your presence makes me feel shy to say such.”

“Then act like I am not there. You need to say such to each other, you know. ”

“Goodbye, babe, and I love you,” Aretta said, looking down.

Can someone please explain to me why it feels so good to hear that, even when I know it is not true?

A grin formed on my face even after trying my best to suppress it.“ I love you too, my Fufu.”

Aretta’s eyes widened, and a smile instantly formed on her face.

“Okay, I know I was supposed to act invisible, but I need to say something. That nickname, my Fufu, is very cool. You just called her a meal. Damn, that is so cool and I am not capping, bro. Is that how you young ones would say it?”

I burst into laughter.“ Yes, ma’am, that is very accurate.”

“Thanks. Aretta is still teaching me teenage slang, so I am yet to get better. But I hope you call more. It makes me thrilled to see Aretta this happy. She has been going through a lot lately, so she hasn’t been herself much and---”

Aretta did not seem to like that her mom was revealing something I did not know about her because she immediately cut her off.“ Mom, I have to cook, remember? And you don’t have to tell Luca. He knows all about it. So, can I end the call now?”

“Oh, I am sorry I just get emotional when I talk about all that’s been happening. Luca, thanks for calling. You seem like a wonderful boyfriend. Aretta is not a very open person so since she told you everything, it shows how special you are to her. Have a good night, my son.”

“Thank you, mom, and same to you.”

Aretta immediately cut the call. I guess things were getting too awkward for her.

I put my phone on my bed next to me and stared at the ceiling. I immediately thought about Aretta. She is so fun to be with that I enjoyed every minute of that video call. Her mom’s words echoed in my mind. She is hiding something and since we both want to become friends; I felt the urge to care.

_____Authors note____

Omg! I am so thankful you made it this far.

I am grateful to know you believe in this story and in Luca. Thank you for your support. I promise I will not disappoint you.

Please, please, please don't forget to vote. There is that star button below. Please tap it.

It helps me a lot. I take many hours to write these very chapters you read in minutes and your votes help me get more readers. So please, don't forget to vote as you read.

Please, I am pleading lol. Thank you in advance.

Anyways...

What do you think about the video call Luca and Aretta just had?

Do you think they will nail this project?