A few days later, I wake up to an odd sound coming from the kitchen. I sit up, recognizing the sound of the coffee machine. But it's Saturday. The coffee machine isn't used on Saturday.

Does that mean...?

I walk out curiously, seeing that the machine was recently used. I go into the dining room, seeing my father sit with his mug and smile as if waiting for me with an expectant look in his eyes. I recognize that look. He's up to something.

"Good morning, Mari sweetie. I hear that you and your brother have become very popular. Oh look, your flowers finally bloomed."He says

"Yes, they have. We have a good friend group."I say

"Just friends? You know that you can tell me anything."He says, tilting his head

Where is THIS coming from? Ugh, it's too early for this...

"Yes, just friends."I sigh

"Alright, if you say so. How's it going with the new boy?"He asks, clenching his mug

"Good. Showed him everything he needs to know for school."I say

"I'd like to meet him...What's his name?"He asks after taking a sip.

Odd...He's clearly targeting Hugo for something...I know that tone...But why now? Or this?

"Hugo...Why? You're always so busy and meet my friends when they come over for stuff...."I say

"Yes, but I really want to hear about this one...this boy getting close to you, according to Logan. Won't you invite him over while I'm home? We can have a lovely meal together. Just the four of us."He says

Oh, that's what this is about...Logan got protective and reported to Dad. You've got to be kidding me. Of all people, Hugo? He's going to grill Hugo! Will he even answer everything or be able to? Why specifically him, the one who probably won't catch onto the issue? I hope the stress from my dad's questioning doesn't cause him to crack or reveal himself...Logan activated Protective Dad mode.

"I'll see if he is free."I say

"Thank you.~"He says as I leave the room.

I march into Logan's room, shutting the door as he tunes his guitar.

"You SNITCHED on me to DAD about HUGO?"I ask

"He asked how the dance went, so I told him what I saw! He was too close to you, and you were STARGAZING alone together! What was I supposed to think?"He says

"I literally danced with another boy, waltzed even, yet that isn't TOO CLOSE to you to snitch about? And just because a girl and a boy are alone together doesn't automatically make it romantic! We can be friends too and, I dunno, HAVE FUN? And we're looking to join the Astrology Club so no, it isn't odd for me to teach him CONSTELLATIONS and STARGAZE! Get your head out of the romance stories and your ears out of the romance songs! And Hugo's our friend, I thought you'd trust him more than that."I tell him

"Oh, sorry Mar. I guess I made biased observations and interpretations since I was being bugged by boys who wanted me to essentially hook you up with them."He says with a shrug

"Well, maybe next time, come to ask me about the facts before you make assumptions and go behind my back to report to Dad! Because now he wants to meet Hugo, and you know how he will act!"I say

"Oh, come on, it won't be that bad!"He says

"Uh-huh. He will be completely chill to the boy that his son caught getting close to and supposedly romantically stargazing alone with his only daughter at a school dance. He totally won't make things uncomfortable. Ya know, I don't just protect you from the packs of admirers, Logan. I also protect you from having awkward and tense meals with any that get too close to you where Dad puts them in the hot seat. Much like the meal that your report set into motion for him to request. Because Dad isn't looking to meet Hugo with the rest of our friends. He wants to meet Hugo alone. It truly will be a fun meal."I say sarcastically

"Sorry again, but I doubt that it will be that bad."He says

I roll my eyes, leaving his room. I go to my room for my phone, calling Hugo.

"Hello? Marilyn? What's up?"He asks

"Hey, Hugo...My dad is home..."I say

"That's great! Is Logan getting time to bond with him?"He asks

"Not exactly...Well, they have found something to team up about."I say

"And what would that be?"He asks

"Keeping people away from me. I told you how protective they are."I say, shaking my head.

"Yeah...I can see that."

"Do you have any plans today?"I ask

Please say yes...

"No, not really. My shifts are tomorrow anyway. My family never does anything around here...Well, nothing interactive."He says

Shit...

"Well, then would you like to come over for, umm, dinner? Would they mind that?"I ask

"Oh? Dinner? I don't think I mind. But you sound nervous...What's wrong?"He asks

"My dad wants to meet you, and let me warn you right now, it is not going to be friendly. It's going to be tense and awkward. He's going to make it as uncomfortable as possible to interrogate you. If you don't want that, I can make an excuse for you."I say

"Don't worry about it! I can take it! It'd be nice to meet your dad! I'll even bring something! I'll cook things!"He says

Then he hangs up.

Shortly afterward, he arrives with a large bowl, two gloves still on his hands, and a spoon in the bowl.

"I made some Eggplant Shepherd's Pie! Would your family like this?"He asks

"Who is that at the door?"My dad asks, walking over.

"Hello, Sir!"Hugo says as he walks up behind me to see Hugo.

"Dad, this is Hugo. Hugo, this is my dad. Dad, be nice."I say

"What is that? A bowl of bribery?"He says

"What did I just say, Dad?"I groan

"It's Eggplant Shepherd's Pie!"Hugo says, completely unfazed

"Oh, did you have your mom make that for you?"He asks

"No, I cook it myself! I have a food allergy, and my aunt hates cooking!"Hugo replies

"What about your mom?"He asks

I clear my throat.

"Ahem, you don't have to answer that, Hugo. Why don't you come in?"I say

"Thanks, Marilyn."Hugo says, stepping inside

I shut the door and lead him to the dining room, putting his bowl on some hot plates and hanging his coat up. Logan comes downstairs and Hugo greets him while I just shake my head. We sit at the table together and it's dead silent. Dad rarely takes off from work to have a meal so we don't know what to say. Or talk about, really. And it has some tension along with awkwardness due to the fact that he seems pretty preoccupied glaring Hugo down, making him squirm uncomfortably in his seat beside me. I kick Logan under the table, glaring at him.

Not that bad, huh?

He sighs, seeming to realize what I was thinking and nods.

"Soo, Hugo. What's your family like?"Dad asks

"They're very nice...mostly. My uncle works in the tech business and my aunt is-"He begins

"That's nice. What about you? What are you like in school? Do you work? What grades are you making? Hmm?"

"Dad! That's personal!"I snap, annoyed at how rude he already is being

Yet Hugo still smiles.

"I'm doing good as well, Sir. I got a new job in late September at a diner and have been doing shifts there. I go back tomorrow since they need more help for the after-church rush as they call it. I even helped Marc get a job there recently. I enjoy my classes very much and try to get the best grades that I can. Raiden is tutoring me. Oh! And the local soup kitchen is a nice place to visit!"He says

"Why were you there?"Dad asks

"Why, to help out of course! Logan brought me along with Kelvin! It was a lot of fun helping those people!"He says

Dad looks at Logan in surprise. Logan sighs.

"I tell you this every year, Dad..."He says

Dad brushes it off, shaking his head and glancing at Logan again.

"I hear that you came to my house and cooked in my kitchen. What made you think you could invite yourself over to our home?"He asks

"I was only looking to help. A friend said that Logan was sick and that Marilyn stayed home to take care of him so I wanted to help as well. I came with all their missed work for the day and cooked him a meal that always helped me feel better. My family always was too busy working when I was sick so I wanted to make things easier. I didn't mean to be a problem."Hugo replies, smiling brightly

"What kind of parent isn't around to help their sick child?"Dad asks with a sharp tone

"We all have our priorities and some things can't be avoided, like your desire to provide for the family. It's understandable. That doesn't make a bad parent or family in my opinion. I simply adapted to the circumstances."He says

Dad pauses, seeming to realize his own wording matches him.

"You must be a very proud father though, Mr. Seamore. You've raised two of the greatest friends that I know! And they're both very talented!"Hugo says

"Flattery will get you nowhere."Dad growls

"Oh but it's true! Have you ever heard Logan play? He's amazing with his guitar! He can even improvise and match the notes to the radio song! And I saw Marilyn on the honor roll list this marking period! She's an excellent guide and friend to me, so you have a lot to be proud of!"He says

I smile and so does Logan while my dad seems shocked.

"What are you talking about...?"He mutters

"You should really see them! Logan has true musical skills and Marilyn seems to be a leader of our friends! They're both great! I'm sure the letters will come soon about their skills!"Hugo says

My dad looks shocked, glancing at each of us as we eat our food.

"Why is this the first that I'm hearing about this?"He asks

"You always cancel when you say you'll spend time with me. When I want to show you, you're just never around."Logan says

"You don't ask about grades. You just ask about how we're doing. I honestly thought you knew since you can look at the school website to check our grades."I say

It's silent for a few moments and Hugo nervously brushed his hand through his red hair as my dad glares him down more.

"Well what's this I hear about you getting too close to my daughter at the school dance?"He asks

"I'm sorry, Sir. I don't quite know what you mean. I went outside to privately talk to my best friend and comfort him about his family issues, then Marilyn joined me after he left. We plan to join the Astrology Club together so she took that chance to show me what the local constellations are. Being a good guiding friend to me again. Then we went back inside after Logan complained about too many guys wanting him to set up a dance with her. Did I make a mistake somewhere?"He explains

"Dad, it was just a misunderstanding. Don't push this topic further. We were just stargazing."I say

He sighs, going quiet again. Then he tilts his head and frowns.

"You sing all these praises to me about what I should be proud of or what's great with my kids, but what should your parents be proud of? What do your parents say about you?"He asks

It goes dead quiet and I drop my fork, seeing Hugo physically tense up. Logan glances between Hugo and my dad.

"Dad...That was uncalled for..."He mutters

"Let him answer the question, Logan."He says

"No, Dad. Really, that was-"Logan begins as Hugo bows his head.

"I don't know..."Hugo says

"Hm?"Dad says

"I don't know what they'd think...What they'd be proud of...I haven't seen them since I was eight. I think my mom would be proud that I learned her recipes but....I'm not even allowed to mention them at home. My uncle is the closest that I have since he's my mom's brother but...I don't know. I can't answer that, Sir."He says

It goes quiet again as I can see that my dad completely froze up hearing that.

"I told you, Dad. That was too far."Logan says quietly

Hugo raises his head, smiling again.

"So? Are you enjoying the pie?"He asks

It was...a lot quieter for the rest of dinner and my dad never had the guts to apologize to him. Hugo seemed a lot more comfortable in the silence now. He also seemed happy when I tried his pie and I smiled, enjoying the taste of it. I walked him out after the meal was finished.

"I am so sorry about that, Hugo. I-"I begin

"It's fine."He says

"No, it isn't."I say

"I was ready for it. Trained by the best."He says

"What do you mean?"I ask

"I was trained by Raiden to be ready in case I ever met his parents. I dealt with Marc and Raiden's parents so your dad certainly isn't the worst. And I'm used to bold questioning. My best friend is Marc after all."He says

"Still, it didn't seem right for you to deal with that. You were clearly uncomfortable."I say

"Ya think that was bad? Just wait until you meet my aunt and uncle. You can cut the tension in the air with a spear."He says

Then a pair of deer trot over, escorting him home. I step back inside with a frown. Both my dad and Logan are sitting on the couch.

"Happy with yourselves?"I ask

"I'm sorry, Marilyn. I misunderstood it."Logan says

I glance at Dad.

"I was just trying to look out for you, Maril."He says

"Uh-huh. Well, you should at least do your homework beforehand and listen to what we tell you so that you don't push things too far. I told you that he lives with his aunt and uncle last week but you just had to push the topic with him. You made him uncomfortable and that wasn't fair to him. Next time you run into him, apologize."I say, going into the kitchen to wash the dishes.

He nods and I clean the plates, shaking my head.

That went ok I guess...Could've gone worse.

TBC