The Start of Time

Chapter 14

Jackson survived a whole week of exploring with me and hanging with Declan without getting into any trouble whatsoever, but then Declan mysteriously disappeared. Kennedy had her dress fitted for alterations, and I found a bridesmaids dress that doesn't look too terrible.

Oh, and I also had Caesar dressing spilled on my head at dinner with Jordan's parents, and I've spent a total of twenty minutes alone with everyone that isn't Jordan because he wants to spend every moment he can with me.

I really like Jordan. I do.

He's successful and sweet. He always keeps the conversation going, which is great until my social battery is dead. He knows my favorite movies and favorite snacks. He survives double dates with Kennedy and Will.

I'm not used to working around someone else this much, tiptoeing around to make sure he's happy. I feel like I need a learning curve for all of this. Happiness is somewhere in the midst if I could just find a way to recognize it myself.

Am I supposed to want to be together all the time? Should I feel bad for wanting time to myself?

It all just feels like a little too much right now. Making sure my friends like him and his parents like me. Still trying to get to know each other while planning our lives around each other. Three months to Jordan Anderson means so much more than it would with just about any other guy, but maybe that's why it works. He can be the hopeless romantic, planning all the events, and I can be the quiet, stoic one.

All of my many pep talks didn't make meeting Jordan's parents any less damaging to my nerves, though. They aren't nearly as infatuated with me as he is.

The mere way they held themselves was intimidating. It's like they were highly esteemed by the Queen or something. That was already pretty evident in Jordan, but this was to an extreme.

His mother resembled a First Lady. Her navy and white dress hitting just below her knee cap, and her pointy heels clicking with every step. If I didn't already know that Jordan's dad was the famous lawyer, I may have guessed it was her.

Mr. Anderson seems a little more content in his casual smile and dad jokes. Yes, his khaki's were pressed, and his belt matched his shoes, but he's just a little more down to earth, much like his son.

He spoke to me first and softly shook my hand. "It is so nice to finally meet you after hearing so much about you."

"They were all good things, I hope." I smile.

His smile told me that they were definitely all good things, but Mrs. Anderson's expression told me that it would take a lot more than small talk for her to accept me.

Being seated at the table is more comforting because neither of his parents can see Jordan grab my hand. You see, we have a system. We've already discussed how I'll answer all their questions. When he squeezes, I know I'm doing good, and when I squeeze, it's time for him to take over the conversation a little.

"So, Jordan tells me you majored in Biomedical Science. Have you looked into any medical schools in this area, yet."

I knew she was going to hate me. Jordan basically already told me she was going to hate me. I feel like I'm on some reality show called "Are you good enough for my son?" I wish I could just tell her that I didn't want to be a doctor and that I actually like working in the lab.

However, Jordan has already informed me that any answer remotely close to that is wrong, so he has concocted the perfect answer to pacify his mother. I spent the whole car ride debating whether or not to be honest, but at this moment, her stare makes it easier to lie.

So, I reply sweetly with the answer I've already run through with Jordan twice. "I'm actually not going to attend medical school. I developed an autoimmune disorder during my undergraduate studies, and it will not allow me to work closely with patients. So, I'll continue my studies with a post graduate program to do research with the university hospital."