Love On The Brain

Chapter 15: Date In His House

Back at the Chinese restaurant, Kyle sat back down at his seat after he told Amanda off after she yelled at his mom. His heart raced with a mix of anger, anxiety, and a hint of satisfaction for standing up for his mom. The confrontation had been building up in his mind ever since he witnessed Amanda's disrespectful behavior. Amanda's entitlement and her habit of belittling others to feel better about herself was a real eye opener for him. Nevertheless, he felt empowered by his actions and hoped that his words would make Amanda reconsider how she treated others in the future.

Patrick: What happened, bro? I heard yelling going on...Did someone disrespect your mom?

Kyle: Yeah, someone did.

Kyle: It was Amanda...the cheer captain from the soccer team.

Kyle: She insulted my mom when she didn't get her order right and called her stupid for not speaking much English.

Kyle: It pisses me off when people treat my mom like shit.

Kyle: People like her need a lesson about treating others the way they wanna be treated.

Patrick: On the inside. I knew Amanda was mean, but I didn't think she'd take it this far...

Patrick: On the inside. The audacity she had to insult my aunt...She needs a good old spanking!

The skirmish at Aunt Elisa's restaurant was gotten over with and it was time for Patrick and Matilda to spend their date at Patrick's house. Patrick was driving and Matilda was sitting in the front seat as they talked.

Matilda: I feel bad for your aunt, Patrick. Amanda deserves karma for being mean to her.

Matilda: She's mean to everyone who thinks that are below her, but one day she will be punished.

Patrick: I also feel bad for Aunt Elisa. But she is a strong woman. She doesn't take shit from anyone.

Patrick: She's learned to make others regret their insults about her when they shamed her and Kyle in the past for being poor.

Patrick: Sometimes I wonder if people really think about the impact of their words or how they would feel if they were in the same situation.

Matilda: Anyway what are we going to do at your house?

Patrick: Anything you would like. It's basically up to you.

When they got to Patrick's house, he pulled up in the center of the driveway and opened the door that was already opened. They greeted his mom in the kitchen.

Patrick: Mom, I'm back...Look who I brought with me.

Patrick: This is Matilda. The girl I've been talking to you about...She's my new girlfriend!

Patrick's mom: Well, hello Matilda...Patrick told me so much about you. I'm his mom and I hope you like our house.

Matilda: Yes, I do Mrs. Liwang. This house is really nice and feels cozy...It reminds me of my own house.

Patrick's mom: Awww...what a darling you are. I think you're really compatible with Patrick and such a smart girl.

Patrick's mom: I made you tea and cookies!

Patrick: I left my keys in the car. I'll go grab them. He walked outside for a sec.

Matilda randomly explored every object in the living room while Patrick was outside. She caught a glimpse of a large family portrait of a man, woman, adolescent boy, and a toddler girl. That man was Patrick's father in his younger years. The woman was Patrick's mom in her younger years. The boy was Patrick as a child. The toddler girl was Erica.

Matilda: On the inside. His parents are so good looking...no wonder why he is too.

Matilda: On the inside. He inherited his cheeky expression and handsome face from his dad. They're almost very much alike, lookwise.

Matilda: On the inside. But something must've happened for their dad to not be here anymore..

Patrick finally returned to the house and caught Matilda taking a glimpse of their family portrait.

Patrick: I see you saw my family's portrait. What was your take on it?

Matilda: I noticed how close and complete your family used to be. Do you miss your dad when he isn't here?

Patrick: That's something I can't deny...

Soon afterwards, Matilda and Patrick were having tea and cookies inside Patrick's room. They started to tell more facts about themselves to each other.

Patrick: Why didn't you believe me when I first said I liked you?

Matilda: Because I was still torn from what Greg said to me back when I we were kids. He brought down my self-esteem by rejecting me for my looks. 

Patrick: He shouldn't have written you a fake love letter. Kids are so mean in primary school.

Patrick: My cousin Kyle had a similar experience as you.

Patrick: He used to be overweight...kids made fun of him saying he'll end up with someone fat and ugly.

Patrick: But they were dead wrong. He almost got diabetes and that's what motivated him to change.

Patrick: He lost a lot of weight and got fit in about a year...He feels a lot better at his current physique.

Matilda: I'm sorry about your cousin. But I'm glad he proved others wrong despite the bullying.

Matilda: It sucks how society is overall...people's perceptions of you change when you look nicer.

Patrick: I actually thought you were cute with glasses on....I knew your beauty lies behind them.

The couple decided to take a walk outside of their house as the second round of their date. Patrick wanted to take Matilda somewhere to talk to her about his childhood.

Matilda: So where are we going, Patrick?

Patrick: You'll see in a minute...

After a couple more seats, they arrived at a soccer field.

Matilda: A soccer field? Why did we come here?

Patrick: I used to come here a lot with my dad as a kid and watch him play soccer in front of me.

Matilda: I see...Your dad must be the reason you joined the soccer team this year.

Patrick: That's right. He and my mom were a happy couple...until they had their first argument.

Patrick: They couldn't make a compromise and my dad couldn't cope...so he left us.

Matilda: You miss him don't you? He sounded like a great role model for you.

Patrick: I wish he would come back even though it's been years. Sometimes I feel lost without him.

Matilda: It's always hard losing a parent or when one of them disappears from your life.

Matilda: Did he ever try contacting your mom?

Patrick: I have no idea...He probably feels too ashamed to come back thinking we don't want anything to do with him.

Matilda: I think your mom wants him back no matter what. Maybe one day he will come back.

Patrick: He held her hand. I won't leave or undermine you...Even if we do disagree.

Matilda: I won't either, Patrick.

Amanda was watching them in the distance away from the soccer field.

Amanda: She thought to herself. She may have won the battle, but I'm gonna win the war.

Amanda: On the inside. Two birds...One stone!