She's so pretty. She's everything I would ever want to date.
But not what my family wants.
She has gorgeous raven hair and it falls to her waist. She always keeps it in a loose, messy braid. She has dark brown eyes. She always wears jeans and t-shirts and combat boots.
She refuses to wear makeup.
She's perfect.
But my family doesn't think so.
She's a beast. She could win in a fight against the strongest football player in our school. She can put you in your place. She's not afraid to.
I met her at the beginning of this year, our freshmen year. We share a design class at our college, and instantly became friends.
"Hey Parker," I sidled up next to her.
"Hey, Chris," Parker mumbled. I love her name. It suits her beautifully.
"So, we hanging out today?" I wrapped an arm around her shoulder.
She stopped walking and turned to face me.
"Sure," Parker said, proceeding to plant a soft kiss on my nose.
"The park?" I suggested.
"Or we could blow your family's mind and hang out at your house?" Parker said hopefully.
"I would love to," I said.
"Really? Because usually-"
"Usually isn't today," I cut her off smiling then added, "And anyways who doesn't want to piss my parents off."
Parker slapped me gently.
"So what time? Do you wanna come over right after our classes end?" I asked.
My mother and father gave me three options of colleges. They are each within a half-an-hour away.
"I'm gonna go to my dorm for a few minutes before hand, but we'll go afterward," Parker said.
"Cool," I gave her a thumbs up.
"I have another class in ten minutes, on the other side of campus, so I should get going," Parker gave me another kiss and then disappeared down the sidewalk.
The next couple hours was a blur of classes and waiting.
At five-when our last class ended that day- I walked to Parker's dorm to wait for her.
She came out and gave me a quick hug.
"Ready?" I asked.
"Yup," She smiled and she ran down the sidewalk like a child.
Gosh I love her.
We pulled into the driveway of my family's house after thirty minutes to and crept through the back door.
There was no need to make a grand entrance where people would talk to us.
Parker had never been here before and was completely awe-struck at the mansion.
"This is insane," She said.
"Yeah. Insanely pretentious," I grumbled.
We walked to my room and Parker, without second thought, flopped down into my desk chair.
"So what do you wanna do?" I asked.
"Ugh, just relax," She sighed, "School has been crazy and I just want to chill."
I chuckled slightly, "Well we came to the wrong spot for relaxing."
"Yeah, but I wanted to see where your family lives," Parker shrugged.
"Hey Chris," A voice said from the doorway. I turned to face my younger sister, Dalia.
"Is that your girlfriend?" She looked at Parker. I nodded.
"Well are you going to introduce me?" Dalia raised an eyebrow.
"Ooh I like your sister," Parker smirked, "I'm Parker."
"Dalia," She said.
"I know. Your brother talks about you all the time. It's always Dalia this and Dalia that," Parker laughed.
"Well I'm glad he actually likes me. For a while there I thought he was gonna kill me," Dalia said. I felt like a pinata being hit back and forth between two ruthless children.
"Okay bye Dalia," I gently pushed her out the door of my room.
"You two together is gonna be a problem," I mumbled.
"Oh come on now, we only tease," Parker stood up and grabbed my hands.
I walked over and flopped onto my bed. It had been a while since I had slept on a queen sized bed, verses my twin at school. Parker came and sat beside me.
"I love you," She told me, resting her head on my shoulder.
"Love you too," I kissed her head.
"So when do I get to meet your infamous parents?" She asked after a few minutes of silence.
"You really want to meet them?" I was taken aback.
"Uh duh," Parker smirked.
"Well here I am," My mother's voice came from the doorway. We bolted up, shocked from the sudden intrusion.
After that being the second one, we should really be ready for them by now.
"Hello mother," I said, giving my mom a hug.
"Yes, hello Chris. And who is this?"
"Parker, my girlfriend," I said.
"You didn't tell me you have a girlfriend," My mom said.
"That's because you never asked," I repelled.
"Hello ma'am," Parker intervened.
"Oh yes, hello," My mom greeted Parker. I could already see her displeasure. Mom's eyes scanned Parkers jeans and Van Halen t-shirt with a critical eye.
"Um, mom, it's cool that we came to hang out right?" I asked.
"Yes of course. Actually, it's a Friday, you don't have classes tomorrow; why don't you two stay for dinner?" Mom suggested.
"Uhhh," I droned.
"Sure," Parker jumped in.
"Really?" I asked her.
"Yeah," She nodded.
"Okay. Sure, Mom. Thanks," I said.
"Good. We'll be eating in an hour. I'll notify the chef to make more food," with that, my mother left the room.
"Well that's one parent down," I sighed.
"She's not that bad," Parker admitted.
"Seriously? Not that bad? She's like a demon without horns," I said. Parker laughed.
An hour later we were sitting at the dinner table. My dad had come home from work and he was talking to Parker in the same manner my mother had been.
"So how long have you two been dating?" my mom asked.
"A few months," Parker replied.
"Really?" my dad said, looking at me, "A few months?"
"Yeah," I shifted uncomfortably. Parker on the other hand looked totally relaxed, like she was bred for these conversations. Maybe she was.
"This food is delicious Mrs. Douwder," Parker said to my mother.
"I'm glad you like it," My mother said.
"But it's fish..." Dalia said, "It's disgusting." Dalia hated fish. She refused to come near it. So she happily ate chicken and green beans every time fish was served.
"So Parker, what are you studying at the college?" My father asked.
"Well it's too early for me to declare a major, but I'm really interested in criminal justice," Parker explained.
"Fascinating," Dad said.
"But don't you take that design class with Chris?" Mother asked.
"Yes ma'am. But that's just a class for fun. My dad insisted that I take at least two classes just to try something new," Parker told them.
"Just for fun?" Father said skeptically.
"So you assume college is just for fun?" My mother butted in.
"Oh no. No, I take it very seriously," it was hard to be able to see, but I knew Parker well, and could see her confidence wall cracking a bit.
"So what will you do after getting your bachelors? Getting your masters?"
"Or will you decide to go into a Police Academy and pursue front lines of justice?"
"Or will you go settle down and leave the jobs to your husband?"
"When do you plan on getting married?"
"Soon I would hope. You only have looks so long."
"Yes very true."
"Do you want children?"
"Where do you want to live?"
My parents looked at Parker like two puppies.
"I-uh," Parker stumbled.
They wanted an answer to each and every question.
I however wanted to shrink into my chair. Parker looked at me for help. I wanted to assist her, but I really didn't know what to do.
"Um," Parker mumbled.
"Oh, do speak up please, darling," My mother prodded.
"I-uh-think it's two early to decide any of that yet," Parker told them.
"Oh nonsense. It's never too early."
"No offense Mom and Dad, but you're being very creepy. You're totally freaking Parker out," Dalia said.
Damn it. I should have been the one to stop them. Not my teenage sister.
"Oh Dalia hush up," Mother said.
"I'm sorry I don't know what I'll do," Parker admitted.
"Well I think my son needs a woman who will be a lady and have her life planned already," Father said.
Parker completely broke.
"Father!" I barked, "Stop it! Don't talk to her like that!" I glared at my dad. Parker stood up and quickly left the room.
"Parker wait!" I chased after her. I found her outside the house, sitting on the steps. I had never seen Parker cry, but alas a tear had fallen down her cheek.
"I'm sorry," I sat down beside her.
"I can't believe you," Parker hissed.
"What do mean?" I asked, confused.
"What do you mean 'What do I mean?' You totally left me hanging. You didn't say anything when your parents started getting all worked up," Parker stood up and paced back and forth, "Your sister had to speak up for me. Your freaking sister! Who I talked to for a solid two minutes! Chris you did nothing!"
"I'm sorry. I know. I should have said something. I knew they were gonna do that, too. I just didn't know what to say. I was confused."
"No. You were scared," Parker glared. I had seen her glare like that to others before, but never me. It burned. Looks really can kill.
"You are always scared of your parents. You never stop them from being this way because you're scared your daddy dearest will be upset with you," Parker said.
I hung my head. She spoke the truth and that was the worst part.
"I can't believe I actually thought we would work. Seriously. I can't believe I once even let myself for a minute believe we might get married. That we would go live somewhere too far for your parents to drive to but too close for them to fly. I really thought we had something. But I can't be with someone who's too scared to even try," Parker said the last part quietly.
"Parker-"
"No," She cut me off, enough authority in her voice to send me into shock.
She turned and walked away.
"Let me drive you back to campus. We both have to go there anyway," I called, my throat was closing and I was fighting tears.
Parker ignored me.
Run after her. GO! NOW! Go after her!
I tried to but my feet were glued to the ground. I watched her until she disappeared into the night.
I watched Dalia get in her car and drive up to me.
"What are you doing?" I asked.
"Someone has to take her back to campus. I ain't letting her walk all the way there."
"Were you listening to our conversation?" I gasped.
"The world will never know. But you screwed up big time," Dalia said and drove off.
That I did. I screwed up royally.
