Here and Now

Chapter 12

Chapter 12

"So, tell us about your family, Rome." My dad said as we sat at the table for lunch.

"My Dad works for the oil company just outside of town. And my two older brothers are in college. My mom basically runs her business from home, she works for a website online that sells clothes and shoes, she picks the stuff for them to sell." Roman said and I realized that I didn't know much about him either. I suck.

"And your parents, do they go to church?" Mom prodded.

He nodded, "Yeah they always tried to raise us in church but the church they go to is not for me, but my oldest brother loves it there." He shugged with a smile. "To each his own I suppose."

"How did you meet Casey and Gemma?" What is this? Q&A time with Roman? I sent a look over at my parents.

"Actually we were born in the same hospital. I was born the day before them and well when we met up some how- instant connection. Ever since then we were inseparable. And the rest is history." Okay, I knew that part. Sorta.

"How interesting! A wonderful story for the kids," Mom said. I rolled my eyes. Another fishing for answers statement.

"Oh definitely." His eyes slinked over to mine. He knew what she was doing and he seemed to have no problem with it. They went on for another hour. Her asking him questions, me sinking in my seat, him answering super chill. Finally we were leaving the restaurant and then Roman caught me way off guard.

"Mrs. Ford, do you mind if Caitlin comes over for dinner tonight with my family? My mom really wants to meet her. Well, actually my whole family does." I looked over at him, mouth agape. Did he just ask my mom if I could go "meet the family"?

"Oh my goodness. Of course. You two will have loads of fun I'm sure. And that's so kind of your mother to invite her. Is dinner with your family a formal event?" I looked at my mother astonished. Are they really planning this thing for me?

I hadn't even given Roman an answer on whether I'd go or not. And now I bet as I'm tuned out and in my thoughts, her and Roman probably have our wedding planned out. What happened to the emotionally unstable woman who had met a ghost last night and was on the verge of tears. Wait- what happened to me? Just the other day I was swearing I would never talk to this guy, much less go to meet his parents and have him meet mine. I've told him more than I've told anyone. Why? This guy had not only broken down my walls he had crashed through them with a bulldozer so hard that they are in ruins. I needed to get a grip on myself.

My mind was running everywhere. I didn't know what to think. This guy had become my friend and yet not so long ago I hated him because of what he represented. But he's not what he represented to me before. I needed to be a good friend to him like he'd been to me, but I don't even know if i know how anymore. I'm not actually a good friend to Casey or Gemma. The only other friend I had was Roman, and I wasn't being a good friend to him either. But I just didn't know how.

I looked over at my make shift friend as he talked to my parents. Could I risk being his friend? I asked myself. Could I set myself back another few years because some boy brought me donuts and chocolate milk?

I was very confused.

Who even was this guy? Beats me.

"Caitie?" I quickly looked up from my shoes up to Roman. Then I looked over at my family and they were all looking at me. I shifted my eyes back over onto Roman.

"Um. Im sorry." I wasn't sure what happened or what was being said. It seemed like I had zoned out. But then Roman's word caught up with me. Caitie. I couldn't stop the small flop my stomach did at the thought of the nick name Cayden had given me so long ago.

"Caitlin," My mom chuckled, "You were gone for a little while there. Is there something on your mind?" My mom leaned in curiously, resting her chin on her knuckles- arms crossed. I probably gave her the weirdest look ever. How could she possibly stand next to the guy who just called me by a ghost's nick name for me. She knew about the nick name and here she is smirking at me smugly.

A small scowl set over my face. Obviously my family had turned their back on me and chose Roman the.... toe-man over me. "Yeah, Im fine mom." Short and sweet.

"Caitlin. Attitude." My Dad interjected. I refrained myself from rolling my eyes and instead went for a very, very, tight smile. And then I redirected my attention to the male figure over next to my parents. What a traitor. His grin only grew as my scowl deepened.

"Roman," I took a step towards him with the fakest most sarcastic smile I could conjure up, "We didn't discuss me going for sure or not." I gripped his elbow hard, letting my nails sink into his skin. Well thick layer of muscle here- it didn't effect him at all.

"Caitlin! You should go. I think it's only fair since he came to lunch with us. " My mom said, she only paused a minute before she continued, "Why don't you just go with him right now and spend the day together?" What the heck is this insane world I'm living in right now. I'm pretty sure my jaw was slack on the ground; with eyebrows raised to my hair line. The world has turned on it's belly. I quickly composed myself, huffed, and rolled my eyes. Yeah, great.

Imagine the butterflies people get from their crushes in movies; imagine them then turning into birds, who then get eaten by bats; Yeah that about sums up how I felt in the car heading to Roman's. I mean come on, Roman is such a mainstream name. Now I have to go and hang out with the parents of said mainstream. I continued to rant in my head and think of the worst possible scenarios that could come out of this. I had spent the entire day dreading this but it ended up feeling as though I had spent my entire life dreading this moment. How dare my parents force me into such torture! I was possibly overreacting... but nevertheless, this situation couldn't be worse.

"Is everything okay Caitie?" He asked. I huffed and slumped deeper into the passengers seat.

"Please, refrain from calling me that." I continued to stare straight forward but out of the corner of my eye, I saw him whip his head around and look at me. I was pouting; quite dramatically, actually, but this situation was not ideal.

"Well, okay then." He said, with a chuckle. Which only made me more mad. Im actually having a panic attack that "meet the parents" is different for his parents than mine. Because, for me, My parents wants to know every single person I hang out with, for personal reasons and for safety. But what if his parents take this as a sign that we are in love and dating and getting married?

I begin to contemplate ways to get out of the car while it's moving when it comes to a stop.

"Im sorry, are you going to be like this the whole time or am I going to have to take you home?" He joked.

I might have pounced then. "You can take me home." I settled back into my seat realizing we had arrived at his house, I was assuming.

"Mmm no can do sweet cheeks. My mother is expecting you and once she's expecting you I can't disappoint her." He rationalized. Smart, real smart, Caitlin. Should have jumped out of the car when you had a chance.

I made the most hideous sound of anguish in the back of my throat before I threw my door open and basically rolled out of the car. I was being irrationally dramatic. And as I look back on that moment I always wonder why Rome bothered to even continue with me because if I saw myself like this, my drama queen radar would start blinking and I'd exit quickly out of the nearest window.

"Alright babylish. Let's get you inside before you have an aneurysm."

I wonder if he knows how to spell that, I thought sassily.

"Mom, we're here," He said as he ushered me inside. I had already made up a game plan in my head. I just wasn't going to talk. Everyone would start to feel uncomfortable and then he'd really want to take me home. At least that's what I had hoped.