Trust

✍ Meeting

"Are you sure about this?" I glanced at Chase.

He was all dressed up in a button down blue shirt and black jeans. He'd even buttoned up the top button of his shirt which made him look adorably geeky. His hair was combed so that it stayed flat on his head instead of in different angles as it usually was. I told him it wouldn't be necessary to touch the hair (I kind of liked his messy, bedhead style), but he'd insisted that it mattered and that he wanted to do everything he could to make the parents of the girl he liked to approve of  him. He'd said something else after that as well, but I'd kind of stopped listening after that 'coz all I'd been able to think was he really likes me, a boy seriously likes me.

He nodded and squeezed my hand. "As sure as I'll ever be."

"You know, we can leave right now," I said seriously. "I wouldn't ever say anything about it."

Chase laughed softly and kissed me softly. I closed my eyes, enjoying the way my body automatically reacted around him. His arm snaked around my waist, holding me fast against him.

"Let's go," he breathed against my lips. "It's time we do this." His eyes were clear, two silver orbs probing and searching mine.

I smiled and touched his cheek gently. "Alright then. Let's go."

*****

Mum was talking to grandpa and grandma when we entered. Dad was sitting on the chair closest to the door. He smiled when he saw me.

"Hi," I said. My heart was pounding in my chest. I'd never been so nervous in my life before. Mum and grandpa and grandma and Lucy all looked over at me. I waved awkwardly.

"Hey Pops," dad said, but he wasn't looking at me. He was staring straight at Chase. He had this unreadable expression on his face that frightened me. I'd  kind of forgotten that this was the first time I'd ever brought a boy to meet my parents before.

"Hey sweetheart," grandma said. She smiled. "Who's your friend?"

I swallowed. "Everyone, meet my friend, Chase. Chase, this is my Grandpa TJ, Grandma Tali, mum and dad." I gestured to each person as I mentioned them. Lucy, the person who held the official title of Mum's Nurse, made an excuse to leave the room, ducking between Chase and me.

Chase stepped forward and shook my father's hand seriously. "It's a pleasure to meet you, sir."

 "Who are you?" Dad stared at him. He looked really suspicious, like he thought Chase was the type who would kidnap me and run off with me or something. "What do you want with my daughter?"

"Michael!" mum admonished.

"Oh, let him be, darling," grandpa quipped. "Remember when you brought your first boyfriend home? I almost ripped his head off."

"Grandpa!" I stared at him in horror.

"I'm just kidding, love," grandpa said, but grinned at mum all the same. He greeted Chase and shook his hand. "It's nice to meet you, kid." He moved closer as if he planned on telling Chase something really secretive, but jerked back at the last second and said in a loud whisper so everyone in the room could hear, "By the way, I really like Poppy too."

Chase's cheeks turned scarlet, but he nodded and smiled warmly. He said something back to grandpa, but it sounded little more than gibberish to me. He'd said it really quietly so no one could hear it, except the person he'd intended it for.

Grandpa laughed out loud and clapped him on the back.

"You've got a good 'un here, Pops," he said in a booming voice, his Scottish accent peeking through in the pronunciation of some of his words.

This time, it was my cheeks to turn a bright shade of red. Grandma and mum both took turns meeting Chase personally and having a quiet chat with him before dad announced that he wanted to take Chase out for coffee. Chase gave me a smile as if to say he'd be okay, and gave my arm a quick squeeze as he walked past. Grandpa said he'd tag along as well since free food was something never to be turned down. Before they left, he leaned in and whispered, "Don't worry. I'll keep your boy safe from your dad," and winked.

I laughed. My granddad was incredibly cool.

*****

"So how's everything going, mum?" I sat next to grandma at mum's bedside. The room was much quieter now without the guys around.

"Evidently not as well as you," mum said. She was smiling knowingly, giving me that look that said 'I-know-what-you've-been-up-to'.

I blushed. "Erm."

"He's the boy who brought Adam to the hospital that day, right?"

"Yeah."

"He's cute," grandma said. I could feel the heat spreading from my cheeks to my ears.

"Thanks?" I said, even though I had no idea what I was thanking her for.

"Is he taking you to the dance?" mum asked.

"Uh-huh."

"I'm glad."

They proceeded to ask me a few more Chase-related questions before I managed to get a question in edgewise about how mum's treatment was going.

"Your grandfather's bone marrow is a match," grandma announced and I liked the way she almost jumped out of her seat with excitement. She wasn't a very tall nor large woman, but she had enough energy to shame anyone half her age. "Now, your granddad's bone marrow isn't amazing, but the doctor said it'd do the job." She came from London so her accent wasn't very thick, but the way words rolled off her tongue was simply fascinating.

"That's great!" I beamed at mum. She smiled, but it was clear that she was tired. Visitors, as Lucy later explained, were actually a great strain on mum. She was getting thinner with every visit, cheeks growing gaunter. She'd taken to wearing a headscarf or beanie around all day so I knew that the treatment's side-effects were starting to take their effect on her. Despite all this, the sparkle kept burning bright in her hazel eyes. Looking at her in that hospital bed, I'd never felt prouder nor respected her more in my whole life. 

 Grandma and I left a short while after. Lucy came in and politely told us that she needed to check mum's vitals again. It was kind of a nice way of telling us to get lost.

 A/N Sorry for the late update, guys! I know this chapter is sort of filler-ish, but bear with me. The next chapter is going to be more intense with more drama, etc etc :)

Anyway, I would love to hear what you guys think! What was it like bringing your first boyfriend home? Was it nerve-wracking? :D I love hearing from you guys and honestly, comments are the best motivators for writers like me to get the next chapter out so go crazy in the comments section! I love reading your comments!

Don't forget to vote ;) It's not that long more until the end of this story.

xx