Influence (GirlXGirl)

Chapter 19: The Dinner with The Haynes

"When did you and Mr. Haynes become friends, dad?" I asked him as we pulled up in front of Stephanie's house.

After reuniting with my cousins, Stephanie's family invited us for dinner the next day. I'm convinced this must be Stephanie's idea to ask us over dinner.

"Since you and Stephanie were friends," he replied, "why do you feel tense for the past two days in front of someone's house. It's just dinner, and it's not polite to turn down the offer."

I groaned. It's been years since I met Stephanie's family. It's not like I didn't want to meet them. I wanted to, but it was awkward. After all, I ruined our friendship because I liked her.

Stephanie's mom would ask me why I was not hanging out with her daughter anymore. We're still, but we're too focused on some stuff. I said that to her.

My dad knocked on the door, and Stephanie's mom was the one who opened the door, "Will! It's been a while."

Then, Mrs. Haynes hugged my dad, "and it's been a while since I met you too, Cathleen."

"Thanks for having us for dinner, Mrs. Haynes," I thanked her.

"You're calling me Mrs. Haynes now?" she rose an eyebrow, "just call me by my name. It sounds weird hearing it from you. Anyway, please come in. We're still preparing the dinner."

We came into the house and were greeted by Mr. Haynes- or Harold. It's been a long time since I've been to Stephanie's house, and it's still the same inside. I let my dad and Harold talk for a while. I looked around the house and Stephanie's in the kitchen, preparing the food.

"Ah shit, we have no steak? I already boiled the freaking potato!" she muttered as she looked in her fridge, "I can't let Cathleen and her dad eat the leftover turkey or boiled potato."

I cleared my throat loud enough for her to hear, "I can go for a hot potato."

"Oh hey there. You're here early," she looks at the clock, "nevermind, you're right on time."

"You can buy steak at the grocery store, and I also need some eggs," Sharon joined us, "Cathleen would you take her? I'm worried she might get carried away with the grocery."

"Yes, ma'am," I jokingly saluted Sharon as she laughed.

I waited for Stephanie to get ready, and we drove to a nearby grocery store. I sometimes came by this grocery store with my mom and my brother. My brother would grab a bunch of chocolate, and I stopped him from grabbing more.

"What do you think? Cotton candy or chocolate?" Stephanie asked as I snapped from my thoughts.

"Why are we in the ice cream aisle? We're here to buy eggs and steak, Steph. I'm hungry anyway," I fumed and put my hand on my stomach.

"Just pick one, will you?"

I groaned, "Chocolate."

"Hmm," she glances at the ice cream again, "Cotton candy it is."

Then we went to the eggs aisle as I chose between eggs.

"How's your Thanksgiving?" Stephanie asked suddenly.

"It was okay, you?"

"It was okay until my aunt started to complain about shit," she pinched the bridge of her nose, "she made a rude comment to my mon for not making another child. Do you know what I said to her? I said, "Well, it's better not having a sibling than growing up like your sons fighting for grandpa and grandma's heritage." You should see the look on her face."

I broke a laugh, carefully not to drop the eggs on my hand, "Too bad I didn't. It must be hilarious."

After putting down the eggs inside the trolley, we continue to stroll down the aisle, searching for meat.