That Girl in the Diner

11 - A No Brainer

11- A  No Brainer

Madeline was nervous, to say the least. Her heart was pounding, her palms were sweaty... She had spent the last three hours trying to get ready for this date, but yet she still didn't feel prepared. She wore a nice purple dress and heels for the occasion, her hair done up nicely- but she still was worried she wasn't enough. Tonight was the night that she got to meet Julian's parents. After all the drama and after how much she really hadn't wanted to go in the first place, she was there anyway, fidgeting like she had a rattlesnake down her shirt. Oh, this wasn't going to be pretty. Madeline was one hundred percent sure that she was going to wet herself with fear any moment now. There was not a single thing that could be more nerve wracking than this.

She hadn't talked to him about the love thing again since he'd left. The pain was dulled, and Julian said that he needed time to figure stuff out. They'd gone out since their argument and he was still as caring as ever. It hurt a little to remind herself that he wasn't in love, but on another level, he still made her laugh and things really didn't have to change between them. This, meeting his parents, was definitely a big step for the both of them so at least they were moving in the right direction... That was at least some consolation.

They stood outside of the restaurant, on the street, waiting for his parents to come and meet them. It was a nice place, one that his mother had chosen. They stood there hand in hand, watching the foot traffic go by under the streetlights.

Julian squeezed her hand lightly. "You look worried. Don't be. You'll be fine, they'll adore you."

"So you've said, about a million times. I can't help it! I just really want to make a good first impression. I mean, how many of your past girlfriends have they ever liked?"

"...None. But what does that show? Obviously they weren't any good for me, I'm not still with them now. My parents are already excited to meet you though."

"You did say you haven't told them much, though. What if they don't like me? Really? And don't just say they will, because there is always a possibility."

"If they don't, then they'll be even crazier than I thought they were. Oh, look. Speak of the devil..."

"Julian! My baby boy! Come here." His mother raced up to him and embraced her son tightly, kissing him on the cheek and leaving a nice, big red lipstick mark.

"Moooom..." Julian chuckled, happy to see her despite the embarrassing greeting.

"Hello, Miss Stevenson." Mr. Torres was right behind his wife, but quite less exuberant. He extended a hand to Maddy, smiling at her kindly.

"Hi, nice to meet you. You must be Julian's dad." She shook his hand, smiling back, scared to death of what he might be thinking.

At the sound of Maddy's voice, Mrs. Torres released her grip on her son, as if just realizing that Madeline was there. "Oh! Madeline!" The woman quickly embraced her son's new girlfriend warmly squeezing her tightly, "It's so nice to finally meet the girl that's been making my little Julian so happy!"

Mr. Torres and Julian were both laughing and shaking their heads. "Let the poor girl breathe, Norine."

Julian slowly pried his mother off of a slightly mortified Madeline. "Come on, let's go inside."

They had made a reservation, and it wasn't a busy night, so they got in pretty quickly. Madeline sat down next to Julian, and across from his parents, secretly clasping his hand underneath the table. He smiled at her reassuringly. He was not nervous for tonight at all. He knew that his parents would love her, she was everything they wanted in a woman for him, and everything he really wanted in a woman. What complaints could they have? Madeline was far less confident in her abilities, however.