"HOW DO YOU even still remember Ian? It was just one day." I say, smiling. I'm honestly so proud and happy that dad remembers Ian. I've been dying to brag him out to family but there seemed to be no one. Except now.

"How can I not remember him? The only guy my footballer has brought home except for fellow ballers and the Macer kid." Dad said turning on the stove and putting a pan on it. "What happened to you two even?"

"We broke up," I answer, bringing out food items from the fridge. "A long time ago. I called it off but he didn't waste much time before clinging unto Evelyn Munroe. An enemy."

Dad shook his head. "I miss highschool drama."

I give him a look. "Yuck. I wouldn't."

"Well, you obviously don't miss Aiden now with Ian."

I smile. "No, I don't. Ian's my boyfriend now."

Dad snapped his eyes to me, "Really, that was fast."

"Not really. I've known him for months now and if you ask me, it was slow." He gives me an eyes and my mouth snap shut remembering that I'm talking to my father.

"He gives your mum worry, Anna."

I roll my eyes. "He's done nothing. I have no idea why mum's so paranoid."

He pauses from his stove business and starts listing off his hands. "Well, there's the issue with your sister. The fact that he's new and covered in tattoos." He narrows his eye. "The fights in school and how you've been involved in that more." I perked up to speak but he silenced me with a finger. "And the fact that she's your mother and loves you dearly." I pout. "I sound so chill but I also worry about you Anna. Any parent would be."

I frown. "This is all because you guys don't know him. He's so awesome dad. He's not nearly as dangerous as he looks. Not that he even looks dangerous. He doesn't deserve your judging when you haven't even tried to know him."

Dad purses his lips, tapping the spoon to his chin. "True. Invite him over then."

"What?" My eyes widen in shock at that request.

Dad nods. "Yes, invite him over for dinner. I'd love to get to know my daughter's boyfriend and also give your mom a chance to see this awesomeness you speak so much about."

"Really?" My face hurts from the smiling.

Dad laughs. "I'm not joking, pick a day and I'll be home early."

I literally squealed running over to hug. "Thank you so much Dad. You're the best."

"I know."

Wait... "What about mum? She won't agree to it."

"I'll convince her." He says reassuringly. "So tell me more about Ian? I want to get prepared."

"Well... He writes and takes pictures for the school's paper. He singlehandedly uncovered the issue of Matt and drugs. He's a photographer dad. God you should see him..."

**

"Guess what?" I ask, picking up the smallest carrot in my plate.

With his eyes still trained on the book in front of him, Ian asks. "What?"

I look away from his perfect face and around the field. For the first time ever, we weren't sitting up at the bleacher but down here on the soft grass. Some freshman boys were tossing around a ball and some girls were running about the tracks. There were students sitting up the bleachers in pairs eating and talking like we were but other than that, this spot was really cozy and silent enough. Ian has a physics test today so it's no surprise he has his eyes buried in a textbook instead of the crackers in front of him.

"My dad and I talked about you and he asked me to invite you to dinner."

He blinks, runs his eyes to the end of the page, then sits up, shutting the book and fixing his clear turquoise eyes on me. "Dinner?"

I nod, crunching down on my carrot. "I'm to pick a date but I'm not sure what you'll want."

He blinks at me like I'm joking. "Dinner in your house, with your parents? Oh my God, Anna."

I smile. "Isn't it great? I was so surprised my dad offered..." I paused. "Or... you don't want to?"

He puffs out air. "Not that but... Wow, I wasn't expecting that. Your mum consents to this?"

I shrug. "I don't know but even if she's not on board. You'll get to meet my dad." I move closer to him, my hand latching unto his. "I'd really love this to work out Ian. I've met your parents, now you'll get to meet mine."

He does a half smile kind of thing but I can see the nervousness. "Let's hope I don't fuck it up then."

"You won't. My dad a great man that pretty chill."

"I don't doubt that, Roxanna." I smile at him and put a carrot right in front of his face. He leans in taking a bite.

I'm out here today because I wanted to spend more time with him and deliver the news, also because after getting my lunch I saw Jamie and Christy sitting together at the table and I decided to leave them be. Jamie's been leaving us be all this while and I'm sure she and Christy have a lot to catch up about. Honestly, I miss Jamie. I miss our trio pack, I wish that Hoff Sleepover never happened. I wish I wasn't so curious and I never found out. Even though I was left out and lied too, then felt better than now.

"You should make up with your friends, you know." Ian says taking me out my thoughts like he's reading my mind.

"I'm not fighting with Christy." I say instead. Nothing can separate Hoff and I.

"Yes but your fight with Jamie is putting a strain on your friendship with both of them. Look how lonely you are out here."

"I'm not lonely. I'm with you and honestly this is the best."

Ian rolls his eyes. "I don't doubt my company is the best but that's when I don't have a thermodynamis test in less than an hour time. You have to admit I'm boring you."

I pout. "Maybe a little."

He chuckles. "Go find Jamie and apologize."

"I didn't do anything to apologise for."

"Fine, go find Jamie and demand an apology. She misses you too."

I stubbornly shake. "She shouldn't need me to demand an apology." Then I sigh. "and are you seriously chasing me away right now?"

"Yes, finally you catch on." He says with a playful groan earning a smack from me. He laughs. "But you're honestly distracting me with those legs and the stench of boredom around you."

I let my jaw slack placing a hand over my chest as I look at him. He cutely looks away, chewing on his bottom lip. He's adorable. "I'm really not bored," my eyes move to the physics textbook and I drag it off him. "plus, I don't have to just watch you. I can help."

"Anna..."

I cut him off. "Where have you read?" He gives me a look and I blink, hoping I come out half as adorable as he does. "I'm gonna help you no matter what and this could help me too."

"Fine." He leans forward checking the page. "I've read all of that. There are questions at the end of each page, so just ask me that."

I barely heard what he said with him being so close to me but when he was done talking, I leaned closer and placed a quick kiss on his lips. He moves away raising a brow at me. I smiled. "Fine, let's start."

He laughs moving closer to me and putting on his serious face. I loved all of it.

**

"Anna, why are you walking up and down?" Ellie asks confused as she sat cross legged on my bed with my makeup kit spread open in front of her. "You're making Zoe and I nervous."

I turned to see Zoe sitting on the floor and slowly growling at me. "Zoe, suck it up. I'm so nervous, you both have no idea."

"I have an idea." Ellie said, rubbing a brush over her cheek. "It's because Ian's coming over and mum doesn't like him."

I practically ran to sit on the bed with her. "Did you hear anything?"

She shakes her head. "No, what do you want me to hear?"

I groan falling flat on the bed. "Anything, Ellie."

It's either my mother has been avoiding me or I've been doing a damn well job at it. I haven't seen her since I set a date for Ian's visit. Now the house has been unusually quiet and she and dad has been stuck inside the kitchen 'preparing' dinner. They even refused my help telling me to go prepare. I have no idea what they are concocting but now that I think about it, I trust dad not to do anything and mum cares too much of her reputation to cause chaos.

"How do I look?" Ellie ask and I reluctantly move my eyes to her. She's actually done a good job of applying for herself light makeup. She didn't look like a seven year old.

I smiled, using my elbow to push myself up the bed and look at her some more. "Good. Where did you learn to put makeup like this?"

She smiled, blushing and blinking her eyes. "I watch you, mum and Jamie more keenly than you think. And I'm a great learner, I had no problem."

I look down at the pile of wipes on my rug.  "Of course." I get up the bed, checking myself in the mirror once more. I have a high waist skirt and a cute top on with a dress denim jacket that's unbuttoned over it. My hair is bunched up with some spilling over and just like Ellie, I have little makeup on. I didn't bother wearing pumps since this was my own house and the flip flops kinda matched anyway. "I'm gonna go downstairs so I can receive Ian myself. Come on Zoe."

I was too late. Just as Zoe and I were coming down the stairs, I saw mum opening the door and heard the voice of Ian. I almost tripped while running down. Mum looked frozen, just staring at Ian with a locked jaw. I came to stand beside her, casting her a look before moving my eyes to Ian outside. I literally gasped and joined my mum in standing frozen just I'm sure mine was for a complete different reason than hers. Ian looked... different.

His hair was combed back neatly and packed in a low bun. His face was all out, looking as handsome as ever. He had on a blue collared long sleeve button down which was tucked into the dark denim jeans he had on. Then boots. He looked so good. My eyes lowered down to the rose and chocolate pack in his arms. Our eyes met and he winked at me.

Mum cleared her throat, having saw the not-so subtle wink. "Evening... um..." She knew his name!

"Ian."

"Ian." Mum stressed, giving him a strained smile. She stretched her hands forward to relive him of his gifts and he handed the chocolate pack to her, keeping the rose. Mum raised a brow.

"Uh.. this is for Roxanna." He explained, cheeks and ears red.

I grinned. "Yeah mum, stick with yours please."

Mum glared at me, smiled at Ian again before excusing herself. Once she was gone, Ian and I let out a breath we probably didn't know we were holding. Then we exchange a look and burst out laughing.

I stepped out the threshold, putting my hands over his shoulder with a smile. "Hey, handsome."

He put his hands around my waist. "Hey, beautiful."

I lean up pressing my lips against his and his hand tighten around my waist at the gesture. I pulled away with a smile. "I believe you have something for me?"

He took a step back, releasing his hold on me and handing the rose to me. "Do you think I should have brought some for your mother?"

"No way. That would have made me jealous."

"Right." He eyes move from mine, down my face and over my body. "You look beautiful."

I blush, losing my voice until I cleared my throat. "You too." Smooth, Anna. I take his hand in mine. "Ready?"

He exhales, "Yes." He smiles at Zoe as we go in and see the full table with my grinning dad.

"Took you long enough." Dad puts his hand out to Ian, who takes it out in a firm grip. "I thought you had kidnapped my daughter."

Ian smiles. "Good evening, Mr Richard."

"I told ya, it's Dr Sam."

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