THE BRIGHTSIDE, robby keene

008 - meeting the parents

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CHAPTER EIGHT
MEETING THE PARENTS
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MERCY HAS DREADED THIS MOMENT TO COME, IF SHE'S BEING HONEST.

She loves how her parents are so involved in her life, how they always have been. The warmth they send out to everyone their daughter sees as a friend.

Diego and Isabella Santiago are the best parents Mercy could ever wish for. They have unconditional love for each other and their girl, their home practically reeks of it. It is that kind of harmony and peace that squashes people who aren't used to it like tiny insects. It is their little cozy bubble and the girl can swear that the colors in their home make the outside world look dull.

The inviting nature of her parents will soon be her biggest enemy, though. She's already standing in front of their wooden entrance door, watching her fake boyfriend through the small glass window approaching their house while flatten out her teal shirt.

She opens before he can ring the bell, it is too loud and she isn't in the mood for loud sounds. School has been exhausting today and so has been training, this dinner is about to be even more exhausting, she can feel it.

So, what she doesn't need right now is an obnoxiously loud door bell.

"Hey," she greets him with a small clear of her throat. She woke up from her nap not quite thirty minutes ago.

"Hey," he gives back as he stands in front of her. For a short second, he seems to be unsure of what to do, so he tightens his grip around the gift bag he carries.

"Let me take that," she says and grabs the bag to put it on the sideboard.

The door stands open and the chilly evening breeze makes its way into the entrance hall of the Santiago's.

After staring at him for one more second (it's extremely awkward, even more so than she feared), she welcomes him into her home to finally close the door.

Obviously unsure of what to do now, he pulls her into a quick hug, which she doesn't complain about.

Her mother is probably watching them anyway, so.

"I have to warn you," she whispers into his ear, "my dad will definitely talk about juvie."

It is just fair to warn him. Diego Santiago is a curious man, nosy almost. He likes to know everything about everyone, especially the people closest to him. Much like his daughter.

"That's fine," he replies, he has expected that anyway.

While letting go off him, she notices how good he smells, but no need to tell him.

He hasn't even fully taken his shoes off when Isabella comes rushing around the corner to greet her guest.

Mercy knew that her mother has been watching them.

A wide smile on her face and her arms open, she says, "Hello, Robby, it's so nice to meet you."
She pulls him into a hug, obviously, Isabella is a hugger, and looks at her daughter again after letting go of the boy.

"Thank you for having me, Mrs. Santiago," he says politely and reaches for the gift bag. "This is for you."

Eyeing the bag curiously, Isabella pulls a box of chocolates out of it and lets out a surprised chuckle.