Reluctant Hero ✔️

Seventeen

"Calm down idiot."

"I am calm."

Haerin's dad flickered his eyes at the rearview mirror at Hanni before focusing back on the road.

"What's gotten you so excited, Hanni?"

"I'm just excited about this Christmas party is all."

"Hanni likes Minji and well, Minji's gonna be there."

The Vietnamese girl's jaw dropped from Haerin's nonchalant statement, the cat continuously staring at her phone.

"Hey!"

Haerin's mother turned around from the passenger seat, "is she nice?"

"Very nice... I mean she can be a bit distant sometimes but she's nice."

Haerin nodded in agreement, "she has her reasons."

The cat then snickered, "it was funny yesterday morning once they woke up."

Hanni punched Haerin's shoulder.

Haerin punched her back.

"Now now girls, no fighting in the car."

"Sorry Eomma."

"Sorry Imo."

Haerin's mother glanced back at Hanni, "well, if she's nice we see no problem. I'm sure your parents would say the same thing."

She then looked over to her daughter, "same for you too."

That got Haerin to look away from her phone, "huh?"

"Danielle?"

"..."

"..."

Hanni bursted out into laughter.

"You're in no place to laugh, Pham Ngoc Han."

"The whole name is wild Kang Haerin."

Haerin's father chuckled at their interaction, "but your mother's right."

He glanced back quickly at a red light, "I can tell Danielle has a positive effect on you from how you talk about her, it'd be nice to meet her today."

The rest of the car ride was silent, and the closer they got to Danielle's house, the more Haerin tugged at her buttoned-up collar.

They had dressed up again, Haerin once again borrowing Hanni's nice shirts as they got ready together.

"If it's uncomfortable, unbutton that first one, it still looks nice even if you do."

Haerin immediately did as she was told, the two best friends helping Haerin's parents hold the food they brought to the small Christmas party that was held at Danielle's house.

They knocked on the door, Danielle's father greeting them and welcoming them inside.

"Merry Christmas! You must be Haerin's parents?"

"Yes we are, it's very nice to meet you."

"Come in, come in, make yourselves at home."

He then patted Hanni and Haerin's shoulders, "and welcome back, you two."

"Hello Mr. Marsh."

"Merry Christmas Mr. Marsh."

He led the four inside, and after Danielle's parents met Haerin's parents, Danielle, Minji, and Hyein introduced themselves to the Kangs.

Considering that they've now been friends for almost four months, none of the three had officially met Haerin's parents yet.

"My, all three of you are so sweet."