I stared at the guy who was apparently her dad. I ran my hand through my hair.
"Dad, we're just dating. Sheesh, I would've told you if something like that had happened," Jacie said crossly.
He turned and gave her a hug.
"I know, I'm just messing with my little girl. He treating you well?" he asked, ruffling her hair.
She nodded and walked over to me.
"Dad, this is Toby. Toby, this is my dad. Now that that's out of the way, how about we get some pizza?" she suggested. I nodded and reached for my phone. I dialed the number for the pizza place and waited.
"Hello, thank you for calling pizza delivery. Would you like to place an order?" a bubbly voice said.
"Um, yeah. I'd like a large meat lover's and a large pizza with black olives and Canadian bacon," I said.
"Okay, and would you like anything else?" she asked.
"No, that'll be fine," I replied.
"Are you sure? Our breadsticks are half-off," she pressed on.
"No, just the pizza," I said, getting annoyed.
"Maybe you would like to try some of our mozzarella sticks?" she continued.
"No, all I want is the pizza," I snapped.
That seemed to get through to her tiny brain.
"Okay, we'll get it to you," she said.
I told her where to deliver it and hung up.
"She would not shut up," I groaned.
Jacie laughed and sat on the couch. Her father sat with her, keeping an eye on me. I sat on the other side of her and ran my hand through my hair nervously. I don't think her dad liked me. He was always watching me, as if expecting me to make a mistake. I was grateful when there was a knock on the door. I got up and opened the door, paying for the pizza. I set it on the table and waved the others over. Jacie reached for plates, but I stopped her.
"I've got some paper plates at my place, we can use those," I said.
I ran over to my apartment and brought back the plates.
"But aren't those bad for the environment?" her father asked skeptically.
"Nope, these are recycled," I said.
He seemed to be satisfied. I grabbed my pizza and sat down.
"So, what do you do for a living, Mr. Tabithia?" I asked.
"I'm a retired scientist, but now I work as a college professor," he said, wiping his mouth with a napkin.
"What's your job?" he asked me.
Shit.
"I'm a YouTube Partner," I said nervously.
He rolled his eyes.
"That's the problem with you young people. You guys just don't get it, you won't be famous forever, and what happens when you lose popularity? The money stops coming in. It's an unstable business," he said.
Jacie crossed her arms and glared.
"Dad, I like it. It's a great job, and he's on a TV show. I'm selling shirts now, and I'm making money. You're my dad, shouldn't you support me?" she asked icily.
Her dad pounded his fist on the table.
"I'm just telling you the truth! You need a dose of reality, and I'm serving it up. I just don't want you to end up out of a job with talents you can't use for any other job," he roared.
"Dad! I'm making money, and if I do get the boot, I have talents! I can do other stuff! You're a scientist, and Mom is a mathematician! I'm sure I can pull something from there," she shouted.
She stood up and left, slamming her bedroom door. Her father sighed and rubbed his face with his hand. He turned and looked at me, as if I was an unwelcome guest at his party. I shyly stood up and walked to the trash can, throwing away my plate.
"Aren't you going to go calm her down? Give her some support?" her dad asked, glaring at me.
I was getting sick of this guy already.
"No, she usually likes to think to herself at times like this. I'm just going to let her blow of some steam and come back later. Besides, if she wanted to talk to someone it would be you, in the form of an apology, seeing as how you're on a mission to destroy her dreams with the way you talk to her like that," I stated, walking out of her apartment.
I walked into my own and slumped down on the couch. I probably shouldn't have said that. Her dad probably hates me now. But it wasn't right for him to say that to her. But I need his approval. Damnit, Toby, pull yourself together. I only had one thought.
I probably screwed it up with her dad.
