broken home - j.f✔️

fiftytwo.

"You seem much more awake," Clay chuckled, sitting opposite her and pulling a biology text book from his bag. She had ordered them both coffees, and had waited there a few minutes before Clay arrived. Justin was working, so she'd make the occasional smile and wink as he was cleaning tables. He'd even come over to her table to 'clean it' every few minutes. "Ready to start?"

"Of course, I revised with Justin yesterday. I'm almost finished with biology revision, and I only have a few more classes to revise for." She noted. "Spanish, I don't think I have to worry too much about." Clay chuckled at her comment and retrieved his flash cards from his bag. They were testing each other on the unit, with flash cards.

After an hour of revising and getting almost every question correct, thanks to Clay's genius knowledge, she stood up and collected their mugs. She had approached the counter where Justin was serving a customer, and placed the mugs onto the platform in front of her. "Can I have another two black coffees?" She asked sweetly, as Justin finished the customer's order. As he nodded, she pulled her phone from her pocket.

"Hey dad." She spoke, sliding left to speak. She glanced at Justin and stood on the other end of the counter for her two freshly made coffees. She traced the Monet's logo on the mug as she listened to what her dad was saying. "Really? Well, Justin finishes his shift at 5 and we will be right over." She ended the call and pressed a kiss to his cheek as he leaned over the counter.

"What was that?" He asked, hesitantly.

"My family made a surprise visit, and my dad wants you to meet them. I do too." She smiled and grabbed both mugs. "My aunt, uncles, cousins, and my grandparents!" Justin chuckled nervously and threw a towel over his shoulder, a nervous look taking over his features. "Don't worry, they're all just like my dad. So they'll love you."

She left him to finish his shift as she returned back to Clay, who had started a whole new unit. He thanked her for the coffee, sipping the bitter liquid and wincing. She sat opposite him and began a new unit. She was worried for finals. These were the biggest factors for her dream colleges. She was never good at concealing her nerves, and drinking coffee certainly wasn't helping anything.

It had reached 5, Clay had left a while ago to get home in time for dinner. And Elizabeth was hanging around for Justin. He approached the table, pulling her up with his hand interlocked with hers, and left Monet's. On the car ride home, Elizabeth could sense his nervous tension. He was bouncing his leg and humming.

"Relax, J." She laughed. "They're staying for dinner tonight. And they'll love you." She repeated, grabbing his hand and resting it on her own.

"I've never really 'met the parents' before, all I did was sneak through Jess' window. This is a big step." He explained, parking in the garage. She undid her seatbelt, turning to face her nervous boyfriend.

"You will be the same confident, lovely boy I fell for, you'll do great." She spoke. "And again, if you need translations, just give me the nod." She entered her house, Justin's hand tightly holding hers.

"Elizabeth!" She heard, her cousin Marcel approaching them. "How's school?" He pulled her into a hug, completely disregarding Justin beside her. She giggled awkwardly and squeezed him back. Marcel was in his mid-20's and was the closest to Elizabeth. As she had no siblings, the closest she had were her cousins. But her cousins were either too young or too old, but Marcel was close enough in age.

"It's going great, really cramming for finals." She let go of Marcel, grabbing Justin's hand once again. "Marcel, this is my boyfriend Justin. Justin, this is my cousin Marcel." As they greeted each other, she wandered off to her other relatives. She sat beside her aunt, cradling her new baby. A brand new cousin, named Morello. She would constantly look over to Justin, who was greeting everyone with a confident attitude. His nerves had completely washed away once he realised how alike her family was.

"El novio?" Her aunt asked, gesturing a nod towards Justin. Elizabeth nodded, cradling her cousin and staring down at the small features. She was so tiny and pure, and completely innocent. A small smile on her face. Elizabeth smiled, feeling Justin sink into the spot beside her, his hand grabbing hers and squeezing it tightly.