Nerds Are Lovable

34: Nerds Are Art

"Jam, did you tell your parents who your girlfriend is exactly?" I question him as we walk up to the front door.

Jayden turns to face me, a deep red on his cheeks, looking embarrassed that he was caught. He clears his throat, hitting the doorbell as if he doesn't live here himself.

"They know who you are," He says, not really convincing me.

"Jayden, why are you ringing the door?" Mrs. Monroe greets us, "Your girlfriend is going to think you don't live with your family."

"I do know he lives here," I perk, trying to ignore the fact that this is going to turn awkward real quick.

"Oh, Haley," Mrs. Monroe catches sight of me behind Jayden, "What are you?" She doesn't finish her sentence.

I see the gears turning, everything clicking. The expression on her face, how it changes really, is enough to see how confused and shocked she is by me being here. Jayden grabs my hand and pulls me through the door, out of the cold brisk air. I catch Mr. Monroe making his way down the stairs, a nice suit on with no tie. His eyes brighten with recognition as he catches sight of me.

"Ah, Haley, so you're the one that's caught Jayden's attention," He gleams.

He's always been so nice to me, it's such a stark contrast between him and his wife. She's still looking at me with thin eyes, trying to decide what to make of the situation. I can't blame her, she's all but thrown me out of her house. Wait, she has thrown me out.

I smile kindly at him and nod, "I should be saying that about your son," I lean towards Jayden, brushing our shoulders together.

"I'm going to go get Bella," Mrs. Monroe states, walking off.

That's one way to avoid me.

I've never had a more awkward dinner than this. Except for maybe the first dinner without my mom, but that was a different type of awkward than the one I'm experiencing right now. The only person that seems to want to engage in conversation with me is Bella. She's basically bouncing off the walls with excitement telling me everything and anything she can remember. Jayden has been silent the whole time. I'm guessing from the look his mom has plastered on her face. She looks like she's ready to snap her fork in half. Mr. Monroe seems more relaxed, ignoring the tension happily eating his dinner.

"So Haley," He finally speaks up, "I see you've caught my son's attention."

"I'd say it's quite the opposite, sir," I mumble out the last word, unsure of how to act in front of Jayden's parents.

"Ah, so what caught your eye?" He asks, a sweet smile on his face.

"I bet it's our money," Mrs. Monroe finally decides to speak, only to make a snark comment.

I have to bite back a snide comment, still trying to make a good impression on Jayden's parents. Her comment stings though, and I can't help but think what I could've possibly done to this woman to make me hate her so much. She looks at me with a glare that would send me six feet under if looks could kill. I wait nervously, hoping anybody but me has to answer. As I'm about to give up and speak up, Jayden does.

"That's not true, mom. Why do you always assume the worst of her?"

"Because," Jayden's mom falters, "Because I've heard about all the rebellious things she's done."

Fucking rumors.

"I know I haven't been," I try to choose my words correctly, "The smartest when it comes to my past actions, but I was grieving my mother's death," I explain.

The dinner table falls silent at my words. Everybody suddenly looks at me with pity in their eyes. That's what I hated the most, that's what made me so angry. I didn't want their damn pity. I didn't want them to feel sorry for me. I didn't deserve it, I was mean to my mother at the very end. I told her to stop giving me advice, that I didn't need any advice. Who knew it'd be the advice that led me to Jayden.