Vanilla Love : Book Two of the MARZ series.

Chapter 8 : Dinner

"Ugh! I'm gonna die!" I fell into my bed and buried my face in my pillows. I couldn't believe this was really happening, I was two hours away from a double date with my parents. This was sure to be the most interesting Saturday night of my life. 

"Zaryia get up! You have to get up and get ready to go." Amaya said as she looked through my closet for something for me to wear. 

"But I don't wanna go! This has to be the weirdest thing ever!" I complained. 

"Well think of it as your chance to prove to your parents that you and Jeremy are a good couple." Mariah said as she looked through my dresser. 

"I just know my dad is gonna turn this into an interrogation. I can take it!" 

"Get up! Come on!" They both pulled me up and out of my bed.  

"Noooo! You can't make me!" I said trying not to be lifted. 

They had chosen my favorite dress In an attempt to make me feel better about getting ready for the date from hell. As I got ready, I couldn't help but think about all of the questions my parents might ask. I couldn't obsess, I had to stop thinking about it; whatever happens happens... 

Once 7 o'clock came my parents and I loaded the car and headed to the Macaroni Grill in town.  

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Jeremy's POV :

I looked at myself in the mirror one last time. I had to look my best, after all, I was meeting Zaryia's father for the first time tonight. She seemed really on edge about the whole thing when I talked to her on the phone last night. I had attempted to calm her down, but the truth was I was just as nervous as she was.  

I said goodbye to my mom and brother and headed out. She wasn't still wasn't happy about my choice to be with Zaryia, but after I told her what she said in the car, she respected her. My mother was coming around. 

I got in my car and half an hour later I was in front of the Macaroni Grill. My fear glued me to my car seat, and my hands to the steering wheel. I sat there for about ten more minutes, then I got out and walked into the restaurant. Zaryia and her parents were seated on the other side of the room.  

She turned around and saw me. I forced a smile on my face and she smiled almost as if she wanted to laugh. Her mother wore the same expression she did. This is when I realized just how much they looked alike. Her father however, had a stern expression. His shoulders square and intimating.  

I could now hear my heart beating in my head. I took my hands out of my pockets, stood up straight, put my shoulders back, and proceeded to walk to the table.  

"Sorry I'm late", I said as I took seat next to Zaryia.  

"Well how has your day been, Jeremy?" Zaryia's mom asked me. 

"Umm I guess its been pretty good. I had a long talk with my mom, worked through some issues we've been having, got some homework done, helped my uncle fix a couple of cars, practiced my free throw...I guess you could say its been pretty productive." 

Zaryia smiled at my list, she liked that fact that I was a bit of a busy body. "See daddy...Jeremy's into sports and cars too..." She said attempting to engage him in the conversation. 

"What was the issue with you and your mom?". He asked without looking at me. 

"Umm we had a bit of a disagreement about Zaryia", I said reluctantly. 

"What was so 'disagreeable'?" he flipped through the menu. Zaryia looked a little uncomfortable. 

"She didn't like her at first, but after our conversation today, she's coming around." I said as I reached for Zaryia's hand under the table.