Until Our Stars Align

Several days have passed until I finally saw Ivan again. To be honest, I forgot all about his existence. Most days I'd just hang out in my room and watch movies on my laptop. Some days I'd actually go outside and sit on my front lawn and stare as cars pass by my house. Sometimes I'd even stare at the house across the street where an elderly couple lived. Other days I would hang out with Taylor and Patty and watch scary movies in the living room.

My summer was nothing but boring so far. And it had just began too.

One Monday afternoon, my mom came home from her new job, which was the main reason why we moved. She came with a bag of groceries, running into the kitchen. I watched her since I was able to see the entrance from the living room. I spent the day watching scary movies with my sisters that day.

"Mom, what are you doing?" Patty ran into the kitchen. "You've never been so eager to cook." I stood right behind Patty. Taylor stayed in the living room, watching the movie.

"Monica and her kids are coming over for dinner," my mother announced. I groaned to myself. My mom loved making new friends, but she also enjoyed showing off. And by showing off that means--

"Riley," my mom interrupted my deep thinking. "You're going to cook meatloaf." I knew she would drag me into this. She always did, considering I've always loved to cook and bake.

I groaned. "Is this really necessary? You could just make one of your fancy dishes." I hated making meat loaf.

"But you do cook better than she does," Patty said.

My mom nodded. "She's right. You know how I am about my friends. I have to show her how amazing you are at this stuff."

"Mom, don't be such a try hard," Taylor said as she walked into the kitchen.

"Whatever," I said. "I'll do it. What time will they be here?"

"Soon," was all my mother said. Then, she walked out the kitchen. She probably went to clean up the living room after my sisters and I made a huge mess. My sisters wished me good luck and then I began to work my magic.



About an hour after I started, Monica, Penelope, and Ivan arrived. My mom showed Monica around the house while my sisters engaged in a conversation with Ivan. When my mom showed Monica the kitchen, Monica was wildly impressed when she saw me cooking. "I can't wait to taste it. I bet it'll be delicious. Maybe you and Ivan can teach each other some recipes."

I raised my eyebrows. "Ivan cooks?"

She nodded. "To be honest, I know nothing about culinary art. He does all the cooking for dinner. His father taught him before he passed away."

"Oh, I'm sorry."

Monica smiled. "It was a while ago. It's okay." My mom patted Monica's back. They walked out of the kitchen and continued chatting.

A couple of minutes later, Ivan walked into the kitchen. "Look at you! I'm so proud."

"Proud of what? I've been doing this all my life. Well...since I was 12 actually."

Ivan smirked. "I was 10 when I learned how to cook."

I looked at him and stuck my tongue out at him. He smirked and leaned on the kitchen counter. Patty charged into the kitchen. "Ivan, come back to the living room."

He looked at her. "I'll be there in a few." Patty looked at me and rolled her eyes. She looked worried for some reason and walked out the kitchen.

"Oh man," I said. "I think my sister has a crush on you."

He sighed. "I think so does Taylor. They each keep asking me a load of questions. When Taylor asked me what kind of shampoo I use for my hair, I just walked out."

I started laughing. "You do have nice hair. It looks so smooth and shiny." Ivan glared at me. "She's so strange. She's usually good with boys. That must mean she really likes you."

Ivan shook her head. "They hardly know me."

"All of us hardly know you."

He smiled. "In time, you will. What have you been up to since I last saw you? I haven't been seeing you around."

I looked at the oven. It was nearly done. "I mostly stay at home and watch movies. There's nothing to do around here."

"I'm assuming you don't like it."

I shook my head. "Definitely not. I'm so lonely over here. If I were still in New York, I'd be going to the pool everyday with my friends."

"You haven't even given this place a chance. You need to go outside and make friends on your own. There are plenty of teens who live around here, including myself."

I sighed. "It's hard making new friends sometimes, especially when you are always used to the same old people being around."

Ivan looked away from me. He seemed deep in thought for a moment and then he looked a bit sad. He finally looked up at me again. "I know the feeling. But you have to get your butt up from your couch and try. You can't stay home all summer. You know, I live next door and you can just knock and I'll take you out one day wherever you want. I can even show you around. You won't be so lonely anymore."

I stared at him for a minute. "Are you saying like a date?"

Ivan sighed, his mouth forming into a smile. "No, not like a date. Why do girls always have to assume?"

I laughed and gasped. "So now you're saying you wouldn't date me?! I'm so appalled."

Ivan laughed. "So you're being conceited and you're assuming?! You're terrible. I would date you if given the chance. But right now, I just want you to have a friend."

I smiled and turned around to look back at the oven. My meatloaf was ready to be served.



Once I prepared each individual plate, we sat in the dining room and ate dinner. Apparently, they each enjoyed my meatloaf. "I hate making meatloaf, to be honest. I could have made a better dish, like fish filet or salmon. But meatloaf was all we had."

"It was excellent. It wasn't dry or anything," Monica complimented.

"Yeah, I've got admit," Ivan said. "I give you props." I smiled, putting a piece of meatloaf into my mouth.

"Mom, Ivan said he'll take us the beach tomorrow," Taylor said. "Can we go?"

She looked at Ivan. "You are?"

He nodded. "Don't worry. Riley's coming with us."

I began choking on the meatloaf in my mouth. " I-- I am?"

Ivan nodded. "Yeah, you agreed to it when we were talking in the kitchen. Penelope is coming too."

"Yay," Penelope shouted from across the table, putting her fork in the air.

My mom smiled. "You guys can go then."

Monica nodded. "You can certainly trust my son."

Ivan looked at me from across the table and smirked. I returned his expression with a smile and then stuck my tongue out at him.



"What time should we be ready?"

Ivan thought for a second. "Be outside by 11." His mom had already left and gone into her house with Penelope. Ivan and I were standing on my porch.

I sighed. "I can't believe you're making me go. You're a bum."

Ivan laughed. "We are going to have so much fun together this summer. I guarantee that you and I are going to become the best of buddies."

I scoffed and smiled. "In your dreams."

Ivan smiled. "We'll see about that." He looked out into my front lawn and walked away from my porch. "I bet you can't see stars like this in New York."

I walked toward him and looked up. My mouth dropped at how absolutely gorgeous the sky looked. It was filled with a tremendous amount of stars. "This is beautiful."

Ivan looked at me and smiled. "You'll learn to like it here." He grabbed my hand and slowly let go as he walked toward his house. "Goodnight," he said.

I watched him go into his house. Then, I took once last look at the sky and went inside.