Nerds Are Lovable

39: Nerds Are Unloseable

A/N: I SUCK I KNOW. I TOOK SO LONG. With graduation and work starting (and a short vacation) time to write just got away from me. I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry. But please enjoy.

"I think they're finally warming up to me," I mention to my dad as I ring the doorbell to the Monroe mansion.

Greta greets me before my dad can give a response, only nodding instead. Greta opens the door wide enough so that we can walk in, the grand staircase on display. My eyes move up the steps until they meet Jayden, who is at the top of the staircase smiling down at me. He gives me a shy wave before making his way down to us. Mrs. and Mr. Monroe beating him as they appear from the dining room.

"Mr. Jones, lovely to meet you, welcome," Mrs. Monroe welcomes my dad with a rehearsed phrase.

Mr. Monroe reaches out to shake my dad's hand, a firm shake shared between the two very different looking men, "You can call me Fred," My dad mentions.

I smile at my dad, always so laidback and nonchalant at home even though he's the leader of a whole division at work. Mr. Monroe, however, is all business all the time. He's still in a suit and tie and he has a still and stern demeanor that almost scares me. But from the few interactions I've had with Jayden's parents, I know to be more afraid of his mom. I feel like she has the power to ruin me, Mr. Monroe would only make some calls and pass on the torturing.

Shaking my head, I make my way to Jayden who is standing slightly behind his parents, a cute, shy smile on his lips as he spots me. I let my head collapse into his chest as he instinctively wraps his arms around me, holding me close to him. I take in a deep breath, relaxing into him as I let it out.

"It's been ages since I've hugged you," I whisper.

I've become so baby because of this man. Where's the strong and independent woman I used to be?

Jayden chuckles lightly, I only realize because his chest slightly shakes against my head, "I missed you too, Haley."

We hug for a while longer and once we're separating from our much needed hug, at least according to me, he whispers, " I need to talk to you after dinner, alone."

I nod, nervous that this conversation is not going to end well. Every time someone tells you they 'need to talk' it always ends in one of two ways: tears or anger. Tears because they need to tell you they're breaking up with you or moving or worse, dying. Anger because once you've been told whatever needed to be said, whatever you definitely didn't want to hear leaves their mouth, you need to let out your emotions, on them of course. The order in which these two things happen is interchangeable.

Jayden must notice the absolute fear that passes through me and reassures me, "It's good news," he smiles.

And with how genuine and beautiful his smile is right now, I have no choice but to believe him.

I also had my fair share of good news too. RISD (Rhode Island School of Design) had accepted me into their program earlier this week. I was too scared to mention anything though. Scared he would choose Purdue and be 15 hours away. Scared he wouldn't actually support my decision to go into Art. Scared he would decide going to different schools was too much. Scared of all the 'what if's that would surge from bringing up my acceptance to the school I had always dreamed of attending. I was so scared, I hadn't even told my dad about it. I had only told Emma, and sworn her to secrecy at that. I had a feeling she had told Jaxon though, he kept giving me looks that insinuated he knew something. But maybe that's just how he looks.

"Fred, I'm Jayden's father, Greg," He presents himself.

And suddenly it hits me that I never knew their names. Or maybe I did and decided not to commit them to memory. Whatever, I barely remember Jayden's name, he's Jam to me.