A Library Romance

Chapter 3: Family Matters

I race through my front door, the container of Alfredo nearly flying out of my hands as I rush to put it away and take off my shoes.

"Milo, where have you been? Your community service shift was supposed to be over at two!" my mother exclaims. "Didn't you remember that Marcy and Kolby are coming for dinner?"

"Yes mom, I remembered! I took someone to lunch and lost track of time! Dinner isn't for another hour. Chill out!" I holler.

"Lower your voice, son. Now, who is this person you took to lunch? Someone you met at the library?" my father asks.

"Yeah, her name is Lily," I say.

"Ooh, it's a girl?" My mother asks. I roll my eyes.

"Yes mom, a girl. It's a crazy story. You will not believe it. I noticed she was at the library a lot, which is why I started going all the time. She's there like all day, minus about four hours. But that's because-"

"Wait, hold up. The reason you've spent so much time in the library is because you've been stalking this girl?" My father asks.

"Not stalking, observing. But anyway, the four hours I couldn't find her, she was actually working upstairs. She works at the library," I say.

"Oh, how lovely. I bet she's a quiet respectable girl, unlike some of your other girlfriends," she says. I ignore my mother's comment.

"Anyway, she works while I do community service, so I talked to her and she's actually really cool. But she's really shy. She doesn't talk much, except to me. She agreed to go to lunch with me, but I had to drop her off at the library when we were done. She doesn't drive," I explain.

"You're right, I don't believe you," my father says. "This sounds like horse shit excuse that you're making up because you lost track of time doing God knows what."

"I'm telling you guys, she's real!" I exclaim. "What will it take for you to believe me?"

"I don't know, some actual proof? Like a picture, or meeting her, or something," my father says.

"I don't have a picture of her. That would be weird. And she's too shy to come over to my house, I don't know her that well yet," I say.

"If you know her well enough to take her on a date that made you late for dinner preparations, then you know her well enough to bring her over," my mother says.

"Cut me a break, will you? When she's more comfortable around me, maybe I'll bring her over for dinner. But like I said, she's really shy! She doesn't talk to anyone else much, just me," I say.

"And see, that's why we don't believe you, son. What girl in their right mind would only want to talk to you?" he asks, laughing.

"You guys are cruel," I whine. "I bring you guys Alfredo and all you do is mercilessly tease me."

"Ooh, Alfredo? I suppose for that we can lie off you, for now," my mother says. "Won't we Phil?"

"I guess," my father grumbles. "Just hurry and help set the table. I'm sure your friends will be here any moment," he says. As if on cue, the doorbell rings as I am setting out the silverware and nice plates that we only use when we have company. Not that Marcy and Kolby are anyone special, but since it's such a rare occurrence that they come over, my mother insists we be fancy.

I run to the door and open it. Marcy hugs me, smiling widely. "I'm so glad to see you're alive," Marcy jokes as Kolby fist bumps me before coming inside behind her.

"Sorry, I've been busy," I say, smiling sheepishly.

"Busy stalking that girl," my father grumbles.

"What girl?" Kolby asks, raising his eyebrows.

"Some girl at the library. If you ever need to find Milo, just look there. I'm sure you'll find him," my father says.

"For the last time, I was not stalking her! I was observing! And she was watching me too, you know. It was a game between us before we'd even met," I say.

"Is she cute?" Marcy asks. "You need a girlfriend, dude. It's been way too long," she says.

"Hey, what about me? I want a girlfriend," Kolby says.

"You go through girls like tissues. I'm glad you're holding off right now. Although, you should at least find a date for the Halloween party," she says.

"Oh shit, I totally forgot about the Halloween party!" I exclaim. "I don't have a date, either."

"Why not ask Lily?" my mother asks.

"Ooh, so her name is Lily. Cute name," Kolby says.

"Back off, man. I really like her. She's different. But I can't ask her mom. She doesn't talk, a party is not the place she would want to go," I say.

"But if she only talks to you, why would it matter?" my father asks.

"Wait, hold up, she only talks to you?" Marcy asks in disbelief.

"Well, that's what Milo claims, anyway," my father says.

"It's true. She really doesn't talk to anyone else willingly. Any other time she talks, it's because she's forced," I say.

"Why would she want to only talk to you, of all people?" Kolby asks, making my father laugh.

"That's what I said! I don't believe a word of it," my father says.

"You guys are mean. I believe you, Milo. It's just weird. But perhaps she's just super shy, and something about you made her feel comfortable," Marcy suggests.

"Yes, that's exactly it! When she was training me for my community service, they forced her to talk to me, but as I learned, I tried to ease her into conversation and it actually worked! She seems to like me as a person, at least. So maybe I have a chance," I say.

"Yeah, maybe, but why go for the shy girl? That seems really unlike you," Kolby says.

"All of my other relationships have failed. And honestly, I don't really have a type. But Lily has intrigued me since I first noticed her, and we seem to have a genuine connection, you know? If she only wants to be friends, I'm fine with that too, but there's no harm in trying," I say.

"It just might be a waste of your time," Kolby says. "Especially if she won't ever want to do anything fun like go to parties or out to the bar."

"She might once she comes out of her shell a little, you never know. What's your problem, anyway? You don't seem all that happy for me," I say.

"Woah guys, let's not be hostile. This is supposed to be a nice dinner. We don't get to do this often. But Milo is right, Kolby. You need to lie off him a little. It's his life, not yours. But will you at least try to get her to come to the party, Milo? It's not for a while, so you have more time to warm up to her," Marcy says.

"Yeah, I'll try, but no promises. But if she comes, you guys have to be nice. Don't force her to talk, just act like her silence is normal. She likes it that way. It seems to make it easier for her to open up," I say.

"We will, don't worry. Right, Kolby?" Marcy asks, shooting him a look.

"Yeah, of course I'll be nice. I'm not gonna be a dick just because I don't think she's the right girl for Milo. If you like her, then go for it. But I warned you," Kolby says. I shrug.

"That's fair. But let's all just shut up and eat. I'm starving," I say. My mother pulls the food from the oven, and I help her serve the plates before joining everyone else at the table. Per my mother's request, we join hands to say grace, and by doing so, we restore peace.

I'm still pissed about Kolby's opinion towards Lily, but it's his opinion, and I'll have to respect it. Kolby and Marcy are the only friends I have, and I really don't want to mess things up. I'll just have to get Lily to come to the party so I can prove him wrong.