Until We Meet Again // H.S. AU

XXIII. Dinner With the Parents

(song: i'm in love with the coco [hitimpulse remix] by ed sheeran)

Ren's POV

I felt a little weird after Harry's phone call. He sounded so...different. He never spoke to me the way he just did. I brushed it off though, because if I thought about it too much I would only jump to conclusions that probably weren't true and just upset myself.

I called Steve, my only source of transportation since I didn't have a car, and told him to bring me to the mall. I had no idea what the hell I was going to wear. I had to find a nice dress to somewhat impress Harry's parents, but where do I even find one to impress people like them? One that's in my budget, that is. Maybe Target? I'm pretty sure they have cute dresses there.

After trying on about five different dresses and asking Steve for a detailed opinion on each one--which he didn't do a great job of--I finally settled on a nude-colored lace dress. Fancy people like lace, right?

After I bought the dress and a pair of black heels to wear with it, Steve dropped me off at home.

Just as I finished putting on makeup, Harry sent me a text saying he was here. Suddenly I felt a bunch of butterflies in my stomach. I really hope Harry lost the attitude he had over the phone. It's just going to make me more nervous for meeting his parents. It's nerve-wracking enough to meet anyone's parents, but Harry's parents? They're crazy rich and posh and perfect and I'm not. What if they just tear me apart? What if they judge me? Do I even look decent compared to them? I rush out of the house before I can scare myself into chickening out and staying home.

"Hi," I smiled at Harry when I got in the car. Seeing him calmed my nerves just a little bit.

"Hi," Harry mumbled back and kissed my cheek.

"I'm so nervous," I let out a small laugh and kept playing with the hem of my dress to keep my hands busy.

"Why?" Harry asked without looking at me. He always looks at me when he talks to me.

"Because I'm meeting your parents for the first time and I want to make a good impression."

"Just don't talk too much and you'll be fine." Something about the way Harry said it didn't sound like advice, it just sounded plain rude. What, does he think I talk too much? Harry parks the car in his garage and I stare at him.

"What?"

"What's wrong with you? You're acting different today."

"Nothing's wrong. Let's go, get out of the car." Harry got out and slammed his door shut before I could say anything else. He walked around and opened my door for me, which was honestly kind of a relief. If he's not acting totally different then maybe I can get through tonight. Maybe he's just as nervous as I am.

When we stepped inside a whole new wave of nerves kicked in. I hope tonight goes well. When we got into the living room, Harry's parents strolled down the stairs.

"Mom, Dad," Harry gave them both a half smile and they smiled back at him.

"Son, how are you?" Mr. Styles asked.

"Good."

"Why don't you introduce us to this lovely girl," he smiled at me and I smiled back. I calmed down just a little bit; at least they're nice.

"This is my girlfriend, Ren."

"Ren," Mr. Styles took my hand and kissed it, like all those charming men do in movies, "nice to meet you." His eyes were green like Harry's, and his hair was the same color as his, but those were the only resemblances I could see between the two.