you'll never fade to me. - a Luke Hemmings story

4.

When the time rolled to 6:30pm, everyone in our household started growing increasingly nervous about the dinner with Luke's parents. I was wearing a smart sapphire blouse and some jeans, having changed from the sundress because I felt like it was a little inappropriate when meeting new people. I really wanted his parents to like Bev, she didn't deserve the shit that they gave her and Luke.

Luke was seated on the sofa, loosely holding Bev's hand while she tried to cheer him up, but he seemed to only be focused on the door. Suddenly, there was a knock and the air seemed to get sucked out of the room. My mum opened the door to reveal what I imagine were his parents. His dad, attired in a Ralph Lauren suit, had a permanent scowl on his face, and his mum wore a prim dress.

'Good afternoon, please come in! I'm Rachel and this is my husband, George. We're Bev's parents, it's so lovely to finally meet you!', my mum said in a cheery voice, breaking the awkward silence. Luke's parents introduced themselves with tight smiles on their faces then walked over to their son and shook his hand. Are these people incapable of human affection? Who the fuck doesn't see their son for months and only shakes his hand? However, Luke appeared to be grateful for even the slightest interaction with them.

'Shall we?', my mum said, nodding at the table. While we exchanged pleasantries, she put out dinner plates for everyone, the smell of her delicious carbonara pasta in the air. While we all ate, Luke's parents (I think they were called Joyce and Lewis?), began questioning my sister.

'So, Beverly, how has work been?', Joyce asked with a tight-lipped smile.

'I had to quit recently, I had had enough of my boss.', Bev said, nervously laughing a bit. I rarely ever see her this stressed out. Joyce simply made a 'hmm' noise and kept on eating. I cleared my throat on impulse, a nervous tick I do when I'm uncomfortable.

'Dear, I seem to have misplaced your name, what is it?', Lewis asked, his eyes boring into mine intensely, the same shade of blue as Luke's but so much colder.

'I'm Valerie, but most people call me Val. I'm Bev's sister, I just came back from work in London so I haven't been around much.', I replied, with the same nervous laughter as Bev. However, Joyce's face seemed to abysmally lighten, perhaps it was even interest that I saw in her eyes.

'Where do you work? Many of our family friends have business in London, it's a very beautiful city.', Joyce responded and it stunned me to see a woman as serious as her describe anything as beautiful.

'I'm a manager for musicians, I look out for them, sort out their concert dates and venues, etc. It's a very demanding job but I wouldn't dream of anything else.' Joyce nodded but I could almost sense approval in her eyes. Lewis had looked up at his wife and exchanged a look.

'Seems like she'd be better suited with the Hemmings', Joyce whispered to her husband, but Luke heard along with me, both of us sending a mortifying glance to my sister, who looked ready to throw up.

'Excuse me?', my dad interjected, beginning to get angry at Joyce's remarks. I can't believe this was actually happening, I couldn't imagine how these people were going to act at the actual wedding if this is what they did now.

'I believe that you heard me. It's nothing personal, Lewis and I just didn't quite understand why Luke would settle for such a girl like your daughter. It's become quite obvious in the last 20 minutes that we come from very different backgrounds.', Joyce replied, while everyone looked shocked. Did she really just say that?

'Mum!', Luke exclaimed, clearly becoming very irritated. 'Can I speak with you two outside?'

We watched with wide eyes as the Hemmings moved from the table and left the kitchen. I mouthed an 'are you okay?' to my sister, who didn't reply. I could hear loud mumbling and a high pitched woman's voice shouting every once in a while. After a few minutes and a long, uncomfortable silence, Luke and his parents came back to the table.

'It seems that we've out-welcomed our stay, thank you for the lovely dinner, I shall see you all at the wedding.' Joyce said to our table, a fake smile playing at her mouth. With a few 'byes' that came from us, they left the house and we finished eating in silence. I couldn't imagine what Bev must be feeling; her fiancés parents literally told her that she wasn't good enough for him, that must have really hurt. Despite both me and Luke trying to give her a hug and cheer her up, she quickly ran upstairs, not uttering a word.

A few hours after, I heard a heated argument between her and Luke coming from their room which was on the same floor as mine. I heard Luke say 'it wasn't my fault!', while she blamed him for not sticking up for her. I wouldn't admit it to her, but I understood Luke's parents a bit; I know they just wanted the best for their son, and as bad as their judgemental attitudes are, I've met enough successful and accomplished people to know that they can be harsh on people that remind them of were they came from.

I lay on the bed, occasionally hearing a loud shout coming from Bev's room, while I tried to sleep. It felt flattering that they accepted me out of all people but what did it matter? It's not like I was marrying Luke, it didn't make a difference at all whether they liked me or not.

The fight died down at around 2am, but I couldn't sleep anyway.