Promise Flower

Merry Christmas?

Aside from Cindy being an absolute bitch, I did have a good time last night. Even better when Jimin came to save me and take me home. Of course we sat on that slide for quite a while first.

He came by today to take me to get my car from the bar parking lot. After I dumped my car back home we've been spending the better part of the day together. He's been driving his dad's car and I can tell he's loving the freedom.

Both of our parents are working and his brother still has school for the remainder of this week so we've been joy riding and stopping by various shops to kill time. Everywhere we've gone we either run into someone who recognizes him or he turns bright red when he sees his face posted up on the wall like he's in every shop's hall of fame. He's so shy and easily embarrassed, but it's so endearing to me.

I'm sure by now the entire town knows we're together. I feel like we've run into everyone, some I know, and many I don't. However, everyone seems happy for us and that makes me feel good. We've even gotten a few free pastries and drinks just because we look "cute" together.

Later on Jimin drives me back home. My parents should be home by now and I told them I'd be back for dinner. When we pull up to the house I notice another car parked out front. I have no idea who's car it is but I don't think much about it. They tend to have visitors every once in a while so it's nothing, but since I haven't exactly told my parents that Jimin and I are together yet, I give him a kiss goodbye in the car hoping no one looks out the window and notices.

I'm not afraid to tell them that we're together, and I certainly plan to do so very soon. I just want to find the right time to do it. Honestly I'm not sure why I'm nervous about telling them, I know they like him, I just don't want to face a barrage of questions that come from them whenever I start dating someone.

When I step inside it's like I can feel the difference in atmosphere in the air. I can hear tense voices coming from the kitchen and I know there's nothing good happening. Against my better judgement I walk into the kitchen and instantly regret my decision.

"Mina!" A ragged male figure walks up to me and gives me a tight unwanted hug.

"Ryan? What are you doing here?" I ask trying to mask the disappointment in my voice. So much for having a peaceful holiday with my parents.

"It's Christmas time!" Ryan says enthusiastically. "Did you think I wouldn't be here? Plus I have great news!"

"Oh? What's that?" I don't want to know. I know I don't want to know, but if I don't act interested he'll find a way to turn that into a fight.

"You're going to be an aunt!" He says pointing to a very pregnant lady standing next to the counter.

"An aunt?" I ask very confused.

"Yeah," Ryan exclaims. "Keri is pregnant!"

"Keri?" I say looking towards the pregnant lady. "Nice to meet you."

"It's nice to meet you too," she says barely above a whisper.

I almost want to pull her aside and ask her if Ryan is holding her hostage. My parents are standing there looking dumbfounded and Ryan looks over the moon. I know better than to think he's just happy about becoming a father, the only time he looks this happy is when he's ready to con someone out of money.

"Well..." my mom says slowly. "Now that everyone is here I guess I'll get started on dinner."

That's it. Those are her magic words when she wants to occupy herself in order to disconnect from whatever is going on around her, usually my brother. My dad typically takes a seat on the couch and finds something on tv. Even if it's something he doesn't care to watch, he'll turn it on and try to drown out whatever is happening around him.