erik menendez // if you love me..don't let go

chapter three

The dining room was filled with chatter and loud booming voices. Specifically from Jose. Kitty, Jose's wife seemed very quiet, but at the same time, quite demanding. The three adults were at one end of the table, Jose being at the head. On the other end, Lyle was at the head and me and Erik were across from each other. The whole time, it was just the adults talking and sometimes Lyle. I haven't spoken a word unless I was spoken to.

"So, Scarlett." I almost got whiplash from the speed that I turned my head to look over at Jose.

"Yes?" I ask, my voice cracking. Curse me.

"Do you..by an chance, have a guy friend?" Jose asks, stuttering on his words. 

Do I have a guy friend? Hello??  "Uhm, like, a boyfriend?" I picked up my glass of water, trying to distract my shaking hands.

"Yes, a boyfriend. I don't want my son here, Erik, getting any ideas. He should not be distracted when he has tennis and school to focus on."

I literally choked on my water.

"Dad, oh my gosh." Erik stammered. Everyone turned their heads to look at me still struggling.

"Sorry." I muttered through a cough, pushing back my seat to get off.

I entered their kitchen, thankfully far away enough from the dining room so no one could hear me actually dying. Why would Jose ever think I could be a distraction from Erik? And why would he ask that in front of everyone?

"Hi."

I got startled from the voice behind me and turned around to see Erik standing there in the doorway, looking so handsome. Gosh. "Oh, hi." I awkwardly chuckled, keeping my head down so he hopefully doesn't see my burning face. From the choking and the walking in on.

"I'm really, really sorry about my dad. That was uncalled for." He walked up to the island in front of me, leaning one elbow against it.

"Yeah, it was. What was the point of that?" I let out a real laugh that time, tilting my head back towards the ceiling. 

"He thinks because you're a girl and go to my school, I'm going to fall madly in love with you or something." He rolled his eyes, stifling a laugh.

"And why would that be so bad?" I tease, giving him a half shrug and a little smile.

At that, he bit his lip as if holding back a smile, yet it still showed up a bit. And gosh, it looked adorable on him. "He's just really strict. It's hard to explain, your dad seems amazing." His almost smile now seemed to fade and he started to fidget with his fingers.

"Oh." Is all I said. Yes, Dad was amazing, but I felt so guilty when he said it out loud in comparison to his father. It made me feel like I shouldn't deserve Dad.

"Anyways," Erik seemed to get out of whatever world he was in. "Desserts ready, let's go?"

"Yeah." I reply, and walk out before he gets the chance to first.

***

The rest of the meal was like before, quiet on one end and loud on the other. Yet, this time me and Erik kept sharing glances and smiling, as if we had just uncovered something between us. It made me feel better about whatever awkward moments we've shared before.

I heard Kitty mumble something about it being late, and then everyone started to stand up. Jose walked over to me, placing a hand on my lower back. Way to low. "Come." He quickly said, and led me over to the foyer. 

"Yes?" I asked, just above a whisper. I didn't dare look in his eyes, and his hand was still on my back.

"If I see you start hanging out with my boy, I will find you." He leaned up all close in my face, forcing me to look at him. "I do not want to see you guys together unless it's something arranged with your father and me." As he spoke, spit kept coming out of his mouth and onto my face. The then he just left, leaving me stunned. He just threatened me, hello? 

"It was lovely meeting you." Lyle said once he came into the room, shaking my hand once again.

"You too." I grinned up at him, trying my hardest to ignore whatever the hell just happened. Was I supposed to tell someone? I decided against it.

"I hope to see you around." This time, Erik was in front of me. Even with heels on, I still craned my neck to look up at him. I took his soft hand in mine again, wanting the feeling forever.

"Me too, Erik." Saying his name made me feel good.