Here and Now

Chapter 10

Chapter 10

"So you and Rome have been hanging out a lot." Jordan's voice rang the speakers of my computer. We were Skyping and she started the call talking about Casey and had been doing so for 20 minutes before she springs this on me.

"Yeah we have." I brushed off her question. I only had a while longer to talk to her before I had to get ready for the big night of laser tag and I did not want to spend that time talking about Roman and her prying into my relationship with him. Or whatever you want to call this acquaintance with Roman.

"So do you like him?" She asked giddly. I tried to hide my eye roll, but it was not possible. She literally wants me to date so bad. I don't understand.

"He's a nice guy." I brushed her off again. Her face fell. She groaned but moved on.

"I got a call from KB again yesterday." Anything but that. Oh my gosh. I wanted to tell her to just talk about Roman again but I felt like I couldn't breathe. "He really wants to see you. He said he thinks you blocked him. He's called you like 200 times, he said."

"I don't care. I'm not going to see him. Or speak to him. So don't tell him where I am." I said hotly. I was done with the conversation then so I told her I had to get ready and I hung up. Jordan was a great person but she's entirely too prying in my life. She was supposed to get here in only two more weeks, at that point and I was certainly excited to see her but I was not excited for her prying into my social life and past life, and emotional state. I knew she was only doing it because she cared, but gosh, she should know by now that KB is the very last person I want to see.

I went through my closet picking out an all black out fit and took my time getting ready. Once I was all ready I headed on my way downstairs. The day before, Roman and I decided we would carpool to laser tagging so he was going to come pick me up. Because I met his parents- sorta- I decided that it only made sense for him to meet mine too. So I waited around in the kitchen- which is kind of the family meeting place but I mean it has all the food, so why not?- with my parents until Rome knocked on the door.

"I got it!" I said and jumped up from the stool i was sitting on.

"Hey! Come on in. I'd like you to meet my parents. Mom, Dad this is Roman. Roman, this is my Mom, Wendy Ford and my Dad Charles ." I gestured towards each of my parents and back at Roman.

"Nice to meet you both. I'm Rome Reynolds. Im friends with Casey and Gemma. And of course Caitlin." Both my parents mouths went slack and they both seemed genuinely surprised at Roman's use of my real name. I'm sure Roman was real confused on why parents looked so shocked.

"Actually Rome, the pleasure is all mine." My Mother finally broke away from her awe. She walked up to him and gave him a hug. "I haven't met any of Caitlin's friends other than Casey and Gemma and I only met them because they live across the road. So, it's very nice to meet you." She laughed a little and he joined in and I saw my mother's face instantly fall. She saw it too. Whenever Roman laughed he look so much like Cayden. More than usual. She staggered back a little bit and my Father, being the ever knowing person he is, stepped in.

"You go to school with Caitie?" My Dad, asked sending his best smile. I know he saw it too. Its hard not to.

"Yes sir." Roman looked at me briefly, confused about what was going on. It was time to go.

"We're going to get going. Bye." I gave both of them a quick kiss on the cheek and grabbed Roman and dragged him out of the house and to his car. The pain in my parents eyes was enough to get me running out of the house and to his car. The situation was way awkward.