Fifteen minutes later, Amara strolled into the living room, and Zesai's jaw nearly hit the floor.
She'd transformed. She wore a tight sweater, dark red, hugging her curves like it was painted on, stretching over her full boobs.
Below that, a short pleated skirt flared out, black with tiny white checks, barely reaching mid-thigh. Her legs were covered in stockings which made her sexy as hell.
Her blonde hair was swept back into a high ponytail, swinging with every step, the ends brushing her shoulders. She'd dabbed on a touch of makeup, pink lipstick, a swipe of mascara just enough to brighten her blue eyes and make the freckles dusting her nose pop.
Those freckles gave her a fresh, almost teenage glow, shaving years off her face. She looked like she could've been a high school senior herself, not a mom pushing forty.
"Mom!" Zesai blurted, eyes wide, shock roughing up his voice.
She spun on her heel, hands on her hips, grinning big. "What's wrong? Don't think your mom can pass for a high school chick?"
"Uh… yeah… uh, damn, Mom," he stammered, rubbing the back of his neck, words tripping over themselves. He couldn't stop staring, her boobs pushed against the sweater, the skirt swishing around her thighs, that ponytail bouncing like she was some cheerleader.
They headed out to the local Pizza Shop, the neon sign buzzing as they walked in. The place smelled like melted cheese and garlic, and the hum of chatter filled the air. They grabbed a booth by the window, vinyl seats creaking as they slid in. The waitress dropped off a pepperoni pizza, steam rising from the gooey slices, and they dug in, grease shining on their fingers.
Halfway through, two guys from Zesai's school swaggered over, Kieran Stanton and Benton Radcliff. Normally, they wouldn't give Zesai the time of day.
Kieran was tall, broad-shouldered, with a cocky grin and dark hair slicked back, the kind of guy who owned every room he walked into. His dad was some hotshot doctor, and Kieran flaunted it, cruising around in a sleek silver luxury car. Benton trailed him, shorter, wiry, with a smirk that said he was just along for the ride.
"Yo, Zesai, what's good?" Kieran said, leaning one hand on the table. His eyes slid over to Amara.
Zesai caught the look and sat up straighter, a weird pride swelling in his chest. They didn't need to know she was his mom, let 'em think he'd scored a hot date. "Not much, Kieran. You?" he said, keeping his tone flat, casual.
Amara cleared her throat, loud and pointed, "Umm, umm," her eyebrows lifting like she was waiting for something.
Zesai scrambled. "Kieran Stanton, Benton Radcliff, this is my, mo... uh… girlfriend, Amara," he spat out, nearly choking on the "mo" part before switching gears. He shot her a quick glance, praying she'd roll with it.
Her eyes popped wide for a split second, surprise flashing across her face, but then she smiled, smooth as butter.
"Whoa, where you been hiding her?" Kieran said, grinning like a wolf, his gaze raking over Amara again. He straightened up, puffing his chest a little, all charm and slime.
"Uh… she's a sophomore at State College," Zesai lied, the words tumbling out fast. He flicked his eyes to Amara, she was still smiling. Okay, she's not pissed, he thought, relaxing.
"Nice. State College, huh? What's your major?" Kieran asked, turning to her, leaning in like he was actually interested.
"Motions of Animals," Amara said, deadpan, pulling the most absurd thing she could think of out of thin air. She leaned back in the booth.
Kieran blinked, then laughed. "Cool. Beautiful and smart," he said, laying the flirt on thick.
"Smart enough to know what a great guy my boyfriend is," Amara shot back, reaching over and grabbing Zesai's hand. Her fingers laced through his, warm and firm, and she gave him a little squeeze, her ponytail swinging as she tilted her head.
Kieran smirked, unfazed. "So, Zesai, you bringin' this babe to Senior Prom next week?" His tone was all arrogance, like he was doing them a favor by asking.
"Maybe. Haven't really thought it out," Zesai said, shrugging, keeping it vague.
"Dude, I'm throwin' a party after at my dad's beach house. You two should come, wouldn't mind seein' you there," Kieran said, his eyes flicking to Amara again.
Zesai clenched his jaw. Yeah, you'd love her there, you prick, he thought. Kieran was such a sleaze, star quarterback, dating the hottest girl in school, acting like the world owed him.
"Dunno if Amara can swing it," Zesai said, brushing him off, wanting them gone.
"Come on, Amara, prom's lame, but the party's gonna be lit," Kieran pressed, flashing her that golden-boy grin.
She glanced at Zesai, then smiled sweet. "Well, maybe we can make it. We'll see," she said.
"Sweet. Nice meetin' you, Amara. Catch you later, Zesai," Kieran said, nodding as he and Benton sauntered off, Benton tossing a lazy wave over his shoulder.
"What a dick," Zesai muttered, stabbing a slice of pizza with his fork.
"He seemed kinda cute to me," Amara teased, her eyes sparkling, taking a sip of her soda.
"Yeah, cute like a damn snake," Zesai grumbled. "Thinks he's king shit 'cause he's quarterback, dating the prettiest girl in school and rollin' around in that fancy-ass car."
"He does check all the boxes," Amara said, laughing soft.
Zesai caught what he'd said and cracked up too. "Yeah, guess you're right."
"So, we hitting the prom or what?" Amara asked, only half-kidding, twirling a strand of her ponytail around her finger.
"Yeah, right," Zesai scoffed, heavy on the sarcasm, rolling his eyes.
She pouted, lips puckering out, playful. "What, scared to show off your college girlfriend at school?"
"Mom," he said, dragging it out, giving her that look.
"You know what? It be pretty crazy if we did," she said.
"You can't be for real?" Zesai asked, leaning forward, disbelief all over his face.
She grinned, leaning in too. "We just fooled those two clowns, didn't we? I've never met any of your friends, they wouldn't know me. It's crazy, but wouldn't it be a blast?"
Zesai went quiet, chewing it over, staring at his pizza crust. Then his face split into a wide, wild smile. "Why the hell not? I don't give a flying fu—uh, don't care what those jerks think. It'd be insane," he said, grinning ear to ear now, the idea hitting him hard, "Let's do it."
"Hell yeah!" Amara beamed, clapping her hands once, "Gotta grab a dress, shoes, a bag—oh, and get my hair done. Shit, I'm pumped now!"