Yes Please || c.g. {complete}

Breaking the News

59

.Layla.

We were on our way up to meet my parents.

I was sick with anxiety, but I was trying not to let Carl see it. He was stressed out enough as it was. I tried to be positive. Was there any possible scenario in which my parents would react well to this news?

I sighed. No. Not likely.

I was the only child. I was their pride and joy. I was going to do big things. It was an awful lot of pressure, and their careful grooming had led to my perfectionism and never accepting anything but the best from myself.

I stared out the window as I thought about times I'd disappointed them in the past. I'd gotten one B in high school; AP Calc. I fucking hated that class, because I tried so hard, and still couldn't manage an A. My parents acted like I'd really let them down when they found out.

This wasn't a B in calculus; this was a baby. I had skipped several levels on the "How to Disappoint Your Parents" chart.

Carl pulled up in front of the restaurant and we waited for the valet.

I took a deep breath and looked at him. "Just let me take the lead on this, okay?"

He nodded, grinning nervously.

"I love you," I smiled.

He was about to reply when the valet approached, and we got out of the car.

Carl handed the valet the keys and took my hand. "I love you too," he whispered as he kissed my temple. He sighed heavily. "Here goes nothing." He reached for my hand and the two of us walked in the doors being held open for us.

We were led to a table where my parents were already sitting. They were the kind of people who were only on time if they were early. Just once, I wished they would arrive after I did somewhere, so I could feel some semblance of control.

I gave Carl's hand a squeeze before we let go of each other and stepped into my parents' view.

"Layla! Carl!" her Dad smiled, standing to shake Carl's hand and give me a hug.

My mom was all smiles as she hugged me and then Carl. "I'm so happy to see you! Layla, honey, how has your leg been?"

Carl pulled my chair out for me and I sat down. He sat in the chair adjacent to mine.

"It's doing so much better," I smiled, looking over at Carl. "Carl took such good care of me."

My mom smiled, her hands clasped under her chin. "Carl, we are so grateful for all of your help with this one."

"Definitely," my dad smirked as he took a sip of his water. "She's high maintenance without an injury."

Carl and my parents laughed as I rolled my eyes. "You're hilarious, Dad." I sighed as a smile formed on my face. "He's been incredible."

Carl blushed, smirking a little at me.

"So how has school been?" my mom asked.

I smiled. "It's great to be back. Thank you both again for the car. I don't know how I'd be getting back and forth without it this semester."

My parents smiled.

School. I needed to pump up school so they knew I was still focused on that. "My classes are interesting. Lots of reading and essays keeping me up at night."

"I'm sure you're doing as well as ever," my dad remarked.

I nodded. "Wouldn't let myself do a subpar job." You wouldn't let me, either. "You know me."