COMFORT [ben clark x f!oc]

FOUR

Mia was currently outside of Ashlyn classroom, waiting for the girl so that they could go home together.

When they got to the Banner's house, they found their parents sitting at the dining table. Emma was eating some chips while Mike and Jack were drinking beer. "Hey girls, how was the first day?" Emma said as she heard the front door open.

Getting her sneakers off, Mia said "Great! There are these new boys from down the street and they're in our history class. There was this tall brunette boy and he's a treat to an eye." Laughing at the comment, they turned their head to the two girls. "You have a pic?" Her dad asked. "No, but I'm thinking of inviting them over for dinner tomorrow." Bringing his beer up he said "Great, can't wait to meet them!"

She could feel the glare coming from her side. She knew that Ashlyn wouldn't be happy with her getting along with Aiden, since that would mean that she would have to spend time with him at school. She sent a teasing grin to the ginger before going over to hug the parents. Ashlyn dragged herself to the table before slumping down in the chair. She put her head on the table while covering it with her t-shirt. Emma sent a glance in Mike's direction "Looks like school went well." she sarcastically said. The ginger groaned "It didn't." Her voice gave out her exhaustion "Not only am I stuck with that guy on the bus and class but now I'm in a semester-long group project with him." Mia grabbed some chips from Emma while Ashlyn continued "I don't wanna go back tomorrow."

Ashlyn's parents looked at Mia, as if asking her what they should do. She shrugged as she showed something funny on her phone to her dad. "Well on the bright side, maybe you'll finally make some friends beside Mia." The father-daughter duo laughed at that, Jack jokingly saying "Haha, didn't know you were a comedian Emz." The woman shushed him before Ashlyn said "You know that isn't going to happen."

The sudden loud slam on the table made Mia jump from her seat, choking on her chips in the process. "How can you say that?! How can you deprive your parents like this?" The woman held her head dramatically, faking a sob while sending a glance to Mike. He quickly caught on to what she was doing and went along with it. "Where are they? Our memories of you having sleepovers or birthday parties?" the woman continued, now on the floor.

"Our memories of bonding with your friend's parents and planning play dates?" Mike added on his wife's play "We want those parenthood experiences where we put a glass against your door at three AM and listen to what you and your friends talk about." He was on their living room table, reaching out to the bookshelf to add the dramatic effect.

Not amused with her parents, the ginger deadpanned "You guys done yet?" Jack nudged Mia's shoulder pointing at the two "They're so bad at acting." The girl snickered. In unison, Ashlyn's parents said "Yeah." putting a stop to their play.

Leaning down on his chair Mike said "But in all seriousness, in your entire sexteen years of existence, you haven't once had a friend besides Mia." Looking up at him, the girl mentioned said "Hey, I'm plenty!" Amused by her comment, the man smiled faintly before he continued "I get that people are exhausting, but sweetie you can't just avoid-" the one to cut him off now was his wife.

"No, I think she's fine Mike. Socializing is more effort than it's worth anyway." she said as she put another chip in her mouth. "I'd rather do something else." two gingers said simultaneously. He sighed as he slumped down in his chair "Aaand I give up."

There was a knock on their front doors, grabbing the attention of all five. Mia saw the girl look down at her phone before her eyes widened. She sent her a questioning glance, furrowing her eyebrows. "That's probably the delivery guy." Mike said as he got up and walked to the door. As he was about to open it the ginger yelled out "Wait dad, don't open-" but she was too late.