One Drunken Night

Chapter 5 (Awkward....)

The dinner wasn't the slightest bit awkward. For my parents.

I kept picking on my food, suddenly loosing my appetite. I was avoiding to make eye contact with Austin. How could my parents do this? They know that I broke up with him a year ago, so why would they invite his family? To make amends with him?

Ha! Fat chance.

"Honey, you've been awfully quiet. Is something bothering you?" Mom asked from across the table. I looked up and noticed that everyone was looking at me.

I nodded. "Y-yeah, I'm fine." I managed to say.

Dad cleared his throat. "Are you sure? Would you like a walk outside."

I smiled and shook my head, still avoiding to look at Austin. "I'm good dad. Thanks for asking though."

He gave me a small smile and went back to his conversation with Adam. Hailey gave me a worried look, I smiled and ate my piece of steak, showing her that I'm totally fine.

"So Steph--it's okay if I call you Steph right?" Adam said.

At this, I managed a slight chuckle. "Yeah."

He grinned. "So Steph, I heard that you're doing well in school. Got an honor roll?"

I smiled. "Yeah, actually, I couldn't have done it if it weren't for my friend Elena. She was the one to convince me to study when no one could." I proudly said.

Yes, El helped me with school years ago and I will always be thankful for that. I used to be stubborn and I hate to study, thinking that it meant nothing in life. Until I met El of course. My parents saw that I was failing, they always give a long boring speech about how important school is. Unfortunately, I never listened to their speeches.

El also noticed my problem and decided to not talk to me, but force me to study. Every reccess would be wasted because El won't let me play until I know what's what.

Eventually, that went on for a year, until studying became a habit for me.

"Oh and how is Elena?" Veronica asked too politely.

"She's fine, still being teased by Axel sometimes." I chuckled.

"Oh, I remember Axel." Hail chimed in. "I whooped his butt when I caught him getting my pack of gummy worms from my bag when I had a sleepover years ago." She laughed and we all laughed along with her.

I don't know what is up with Axel and gummy worms. That boy just loves his gummy worms. One time, during first grade, he messed up his entire kitchen just to find the gummy worms his mom hid. His mom said that he'll be grounded for a month unless he helps clean the kitchen, so he ended up cleaning the entire kitchen which took three days but he said that it was worth it. That's Axel for you.

"Are you dating Axel already?" Adam asked.

"I keep asking her the same thing." Dad said.

I couldn't help but sneak a glance at Austin who looked like he wasn't even interested in the subject as he peacefully ate his vegetables. I tore my eyes away from Austin's figure and saw everyone looking at me for an answer.

I shook my head. "No, he's just my best friend, nothing more, nothing less." I assured them.

I heard Austin snicker and mumbled something inaudible as he stared at his food.

"I'm sorry?" I said which made him look up.

He shook his head. "Nothing."

"Sure, as if snickering isn't something." I muttered.