𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑 || 𝐉𝐀𝐊𝐄 𝐒𝐈𝐌

𝙲𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝟷𝟼

I was at the dinner table eating with my parents when the doorbell rang. I raced to the door, my socks causing me to slip on the hardwood floor.
"Careful there, buddy." my dad joked, "I'll get it."

"NO!" I panicked, "Let me get it!" My parents looked at me, bewildered. I seldom lose my temper or show any sign of defiance. I chuckled awkwardly

"Sorry," I said as I stood and dusted myself off, "it's just something important." I resumed my walk to the door and opened it, carefully blocking my parents' view. Jake stood before me. "Now is not a good time!" I whispered through gritted teeth.

"Why?" he peeked his head into the house, "Oh, hi there!" he waved to my parents. "I'm Jake!" I facepalmed. Fantastic! I was trying to avoid this exact situation. I let him through the door, taking notice of his attire: his signature white blouse and black shorts. I gave my parents a forced smile.

"Yeah, so...this is my friend Jake. He's in a study group with me! We have AP calculus together. I forgot to mention he was coming over tonight." I could see Jake looking at me through my peripheral, grinning wide. He was enjoying this, wasn't he? My parents introduced themselves and asked him to join us for dinner, which he agreed to without hesitation. Once seated at the table - Jake next to my dad, me, my mother - I proceeded to finish what I'd started eating before being unwelcomingly interrupted. I didn't look up from my plate, desperate to avoid conversation. My dad was chatting quietly with Jake. All was well until my mom leaned over and whispered, "Boy, isn't he handsome. Secret boyfriend? You two look good together."

"Mom!" I exclaimed, feeling heat creep onto my cheeks, "it's not like that!" My dad and Jake turned to look at us. "What's going on?" Jake asked.

"It's nothing, really-"

"Except for that fact you two are dating?" my dad teased, "your 'study buddy' told me. No need to hide it. He's a good kid!" he said, clapping Jake on the back.

"What?" I glanced at Jake, who was trying to stifle a laugh. It took everything in my power to not slap that stupid smirk off of his face.