Changes

Chapter 14

"Come inside, now!" she growled. I looked at her with wide eyes. Her face was matching her hair.

"Hannah?" Ruth's mood changed after seeing my appearance.

"Are you okay? You look like a mess" she asked, there was no trace of anger anymore, only concern.

"I'm fine."

She dropped it for the time being, but I knew she would ask about it later that evening.

"Come," she gestured. I followed her inside the brick house. As soon as I entered, I smelled the food that was on the table: lasagna.

"You can just hang your jacket over there," she pointed at the vintage coat rack.

It was filled with jackets. As I was hanging mine, I noticed all the pictures on the walls. They displayed happy faces and -what seemed to be- wonderful memories.

"Please don't look at those," Ruth's voice interrupted my thoughts. "back then, my dad seriously thought those grandpa-sunglasses made him look cool."

"And just look at my ugly face." She was talking about the picture where she was sitting on her dads shoulders.

They were both grinning like the Cheshire Cat.

"Come, everyone's waiting for you," she started to guide me to the dining room. Everyone turned their heads to me as I entered the room.

My eyes immediately spotted some black hair and green eyes. Eric had indeed come with a date. I believe her name was Sarah, as I recognised her from my history class. The four adults that were seated at the other end of the table looked at me with curiosity in their eyes.

A beautiful dark woman, who I recognized from the pictures as Ruth's mom, walked up to me with an inviting smile on her face.

"I'm glad to finally meet you Hannah," she hugged me while her wild curls, that were held back by a colorful scarf, brushed my face.

"Likewise," I said, while awkwardly patting her back.

"Please, sit down and enjoy the food," she gestured at the seat that was facing Eric.

"Thank you Mrs. Miller," I sat down, making brief eye contact with Eric while doing so. "I'm so sorry I'm late."

"Don't worry about it," she waved it away and made her way back to her plate.

I looked at mine: a delicious piece of lasagna was sitting on top of it. The smell made my mouth water. With fork and knife in hands, I was ready to devour it, but a high-pitched giggle stopped me.

My grip tightened around my utensils. A glance at the person sitting across from me, confirmed my suspicions. Lover boy was back at it again.

Calm down Hannah, it's just a giggle.

I agreed with the voice, it was just a giggle. An annoyingly high pitched giggle.

The delicious piece of lasagna was about to enter my mouth when I heard: "I could show you the guest room, after dinner."

"There is no guest room, Eric," Ruth interfered. "What are you talking abou-."

She gasped.

"No, no, no, no, no!" she shook her head furiously. "You're not gonna do it in my room!"

"Doing what in your room?" Ruth's mom joined the conversation.

"Science project," Eric explained. "Sarah and I wanted to discuss a few things in Ruth's room since her science books are there. But apparently, Ruth doesn't care if I get good grades or not."

My friend shot him a dirty look.

"Ruth, why won't you let them use your room? I don't see why they can't," her mom asked.

"I mean, it's just a science project," Eric added.

Ruth was fuming with anger. I was pretty sure steam was coming out of her ears.

Silence took over the room. Taking advantage of the situation, I took a bite of the lasagna.

Holy Moses.

I felt pure bliss and had to hold back a moan.

Eric noticed and shot me a wink. It was as if yesterday's awkward conversation had never happened.

You know what, two can play this game.

I decided to wink back and take another bite, slowly wrapping my lips around my fork, not taking my eyes of him for even a second.

To my big surprise I saw a slight blush creeping up his cheeks. Both our eyes widened, mine with humor, his with embarrassment. Quickly, he averted his eyes to his date who was getting annoyed by the lack of attention she was receiving.

Mrs. Mason turned to her nephew, oblivious to what was going on. "I say you can use the room, Eric. It's not a problem."

"Thank you aunt Cassie," he smiled sweetly, his dimples showing.

My inner voice scoffed.

Of course he has dimples.

"You see now, why I wanted you to come?" I heard from beside me.

Ruth was intensely staring at Eric, probably wishing him to drop dead.

"Do you want me to come more often?" I asked her, already knowing the answer.

"Yes, please!" She clasped her hands together. "I don't know how I survive these dinners every week."

I laughed.

"It's a wonder I haven't turned crazy," she continued.

"Debatable," I muttered under my breath.

"Hey!" she punched me in the shoulder.

"Ow!"

"Ruth, don't punch our guest."

"I didn't punch her," Ruth defended. "It was a very light tap on the shoulder."

Her mom looked at her for a whole ten seconds.

"Teenagers," she muttered under her breath and continued her conversation with -who I assumed to be- Eric's mom.

******

After eating Morgan's delicious pie, Eric and Sarah excused themselves to go up to Ruth's room for their "science project".

When Eric walked past Ruth she shot him a deadly glare. "If you make a mess I'll castrate you!"

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