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minute, I decided to wipe off the eyeshadow. But I left my hair loose, for a change. Okay, that was better.
    My mom had left hours ago and I was still at home, staring at myself in the mirror. I glanced at my clock and realized it was eleven already! I was so late! Tristan would be freaking out, thinking I’d stood him up. I ran downstairs fast, opened the front door, when someone called my name.
    “Joey? Where are you going?”
    Holy crap . It was my mom.

Chapter Six
    New Year
    “Hum … Hey, Mom! What are you doing here?” I asked, trying to disguise the panic in my voice. Oh no! This cannot be happening! What was I going to do now?
    “I left the party early. I wanted to spend New Year’s Eve with you. Where are you going all dressed up like that? Didn’t you say you’re staying home all night?” she asked suspiciously.
    ‘I … well, funny you should ask … I was …” I mumbled, stalling for time. What was I supposed to say here? I was just leaving for this awesome party to be with this amazing guy, hoping with all my heart that he would kiss me tonight and, by the way, did I mention the party is at the local cemetery?
    My mom was giving me The Look , waiting for me to answer.
    “Is this something to do with this boy you’re hanging out with all the time now?” she asked.
    “His name is Tristan, Mom. I already told you that! And it was a last-minute thing. It’s a party close by. I was going to call you, but it’s almost midnight and …” I trailed off. “Please, Mom! Can I go now?”
    “Okay, where’s this party? I’ll walk you there. Don’t worry, I’m not going inside. I won’t embarrass you in front of your friends!” she said after seeing the look of terror cross my face. “I just need to see where you’ll be. In case something happens.”
    “Nothing’s going to happen, Mom!” I whined.
    “I know. It’s just for precaution, honey. Come on,” she said.
    Oh. Crap. Now I was doomed, all right.
    “Okay. Let’s go, then,” I said, speed-walking to the cemetery. It was really late. If Tristan was waiting for me at the front gates, maybe she’d let me go in. No one could resist his winning smile!
    In eight short minutes we were at the cemetery. Lots of people were coming and going, chitchatting happily with drinks in their hands. The gates were fully open, candles decorating the iron sign above and yellow lanterns casting a warm light over the entrance. I couldn’t see Tristan.
    My mom stopped at my side, glancing at all the people mingling around us.
    “Look at all these people! What’s happening, here? Joey, is your party happening at the cemetery?” she asked in surprise.
    “Well, yeah. It’s no big deal, Mom,” I said, knowing damn well that it was a huge deal. “It’s a tradition in Esperanza. Isn’t that cool? Everybody comes here to celebrate New Year’s Eve!”
    “And you didn’t tell me because you knew I would never let you come alone to a party in a cemetery, Joe Gray!” she said, affronted, calling my bluff. Gosh. Maternal insights suck!
    “Okay! Okay! But we’re here now, and you can see it’s not dangerous at all , and it will suck very much if you won’t let me go!” I pleaded. “Please, Mom!”
    I could sense her resolve was faltering.
    “And I promised Tristan I’d come. Are you really going to make me break my promise, Mom? It’s almost midnight already!” I said, delivering the final blow. She was the one persistently trying to hook me up with a date. Now I officially had one.
    And she was RUINING it!
    She bit her lip, sighed and then threw her arms in the air in defeat.
    “All right! But I need to meet this Tristan boy before I leave. No, Joe, I will not let you go there alone without having a word with this boy first! And that’s final. After that, I’ll leave and you two can … stay a little while longer. Just a little while, mind you!” she commanded.
    I rolled my eyes, knowing damn well there was no use trying to argue with her now,