Breaking Rules

30.

"Thank you, Lia. Food was incredible as always." Tyler said as he put his knife and fork neatly on his plate.

It had taken us about an hour longer than it would take people to eat a meal since there were 10 people getting to know each other through various conversations. I sat next to Thalia and he parents sat across from us which made me shift nervously in my seat throughout the whole dinner. Tyler sat on the other side of Thalia, and next to him was Isaac. Those two seemed to be in their own little conversation all night. Mario sat beside his father and Gracie was beside him. Another pair who had their own little inside jokes. Jason was beside me and Amie was opposite him, next to Thalia's mother. Jason would prod me every now and then to get me to pass him something from the other side of the table and I had to refrain from kicking him under the table in response, with my luck I'd end up booting Thalia's parent's shins by mistake.

"Yeah was dead good, cheers." My brother complimented. Not quite sounding as formal but it was a big deal he actually complimented someone.

"No problem guys I'm glad everyone enjoyed." Thalia said and began to gather empty plates.

"Hey, no sit down girl we'll tidy things up." Gracie said.

 I noticed her and Tyler give looks to various other guests around the table as almost everyone rose to take out the dirty dishes. Every time Thalia or I offered to help we were pushed back into our seats and before I knew it it was just Thalia and I at the table, sitting across from her parents.

"You have ice cream in the freezer right Thalia?" Jason lingered behind everyone to ask his very important question. 

"Yes, Jason I do." She replied with a gorgeous chuckle that made a smile tug at my lips.

"Can I possibly eat it in the living room? I swear I won't make a mess!" All four of us at the table were chuckling to ourselves at Jason's goofiness.

"Yeah, go for it J."

"Yes!" He ran off and I chuckled again when hearing him in the kitchen. 'Guys we can eat in front of the TV!'

"I like him, he seems like a sweet boy." Thalia's mother sighed lightly with a grin on her face that resembled her daughter's. "Speaking of boys. Harper, do you have a boyfriend?"

Her abrupt question made me choke slightly on the water I was sipping but I got myself under control without spluttering in the poor woman's face. 

"No, I don't actually Ms Gonzalez."

"Call me Maria, dear." I looked over to Thalia who smiled before turning back to Maria and nodding. 

"So... No boyfriend. A girlfriend, perhaps?" Her father, Mark, asked me. 

My face heated up immediately. "I-uh-"

"Damn guys, what's with the interrogation?" Thalia said with a laugh, saving me from my stuttering.

"We're just trying to get to know your friends better, sweetie. After all Harper was probably the quietest at the table tonight."

"I enjoy listening to conversations."

"A people watcher." Mark commented, earning a nod from me in response.

"Hmm... So when are you two going to give up this little act?"

Thalia and I looked at each other in shock at her mother's comment, communicating with our eyes on how we should go about this.

"Mom, what are you talking about?"

"It's obvious, Lia. I mean, you look at each other how me and your father look at each other and we've been married since we were 21."

I raised my eyebrows at their successful marriage before focusing back on their (accurate) accusations.