"No problem, to the dining hall!" mom leads them to the dinner table. I take a seat opposite Daario and Ella, mom and dad sit at either head of the table. Jasmine takes a seat beside me. The lasagna itself smells so good I just want to stuff my face in it. My mother went all out with appetisers. Fresh greek salad, potato salad, warm baguettes and peta breads, exquisite meat and cheese tray, raspberry Brie tartlets, goat cheese bites, and blue cheese mushroom crostini. UGH, YUM. We're getting fat tonight.
"I'm so excited to eat this!" Ella exclaims. "That makes two of us," I add.
Eric rushes in and takes a seat on my other side in a hurry, causing a whiff of air to engulf me in his smell. Ugh, dammit. He smells great. I find myself growing angry with the fact that I'm attracted to his scent. It's annoying. I stab my fork into some salad and roll my eyes to myself.
"Sorry, I had a phone call," Eric apologizes to my parents.
"Hey, Minty," he gives me a friendly grin. Okay, this might not be as awkward and hard as I thought, good.
"Hi," I respond with a smile of my own.
"How are you, dear?" mom asks him.
"I'm great, thanks. The food smells amazing," Eric responds. My mother smiles appreciatively in response.
"Clementine, you've grown into such a beautiful young lady!" Ella tells me.
I give her a small laugh, "Thank you."
"Eric has grown into quite the man as well," mom subtly adds. My stomach knots up slightly at her tone of voice, please mom. Do not do this. Enough humiliation for one day.
"Thanks," Eric beams at her compliment.
"You're welcome, we made you," Daario chips in.
I snort. "If it weren't for my amazing hair and killer jawline, you'd probably have spiky brown hair and a less hot jawline," he adds.
Ella turns to Daario, "Hey! We do not mock the dead! Eric was very attractive. Some would say even more than you," Ella taunts him. Daario's jaw drops open. She smirks in satisfaction and turns back to us, "That's why we named you after him, right?"
I vaguely remember Eric telling me about Ella's ex-boyfriend who died saving her life. I think he turned out to be gay. I can't remember the exact details, but I remember he was Ella's first love.
Daario sighs. "Let's face it. Your good looks came from me," Ella shrugs.
"Your mom's delusional," Daario states, causing her to glare at him.
"Guys, please keep what you stone aged people consider to be flirting for later," Eric tells them, causing their jaws to drop down to the floor and me to laugh.
"Stone aged people!" mom seems to be taking their side because she's one of them I suppose.
Eric and I laugh at their distaste. "You know what, trust me we will. All night long," Ella heckles him.
Eric and I exchange disgusted expressions. "GROSS!" we both shrill at the same time, causing us to break into uncontrollable laughter at our parents' inappropriateness.
"How cute are they?" mom whispers to dad.
Dad simply frowns. I turn to mom in horror, anticipating her next words before they come out of her mouth.
"So, Eric. Are you single?"
My heart sinks into my stomach, I feel Eric grow rigid beside me. He glances at me uncomfortably through his peripheral vision, I press my lips into a thin line and remain quiet.
"Uh, no. I'm not," he tells her.
"WHAT? YOU GUYS ARE TOGETHER ALREADY? OH, MY GOD! SINCE WHEN?" mom is practically hyperventilating. Oh, dear God.
"What?" dad cuts through, eyebrows knitted together. "Our daughter is dating, aren't you happy for her Brandon?" mom teases him.
My cheeks flame in horror, I steal a glance at Mr. and Mrs. Knight who remain wide-eyed and tight-lipped. They probably know about Isabella and the uncomfortable look on their faces in unmissable. I don't dare look at Eric, I'm so beyond the valley of humiliation.
Dad frowns, "No. We'll see about this dating. We need to have a little chat—"
"OH MY GOD, MOM! DAD! STOP! Eric and I are NOT together. We're just friends!" God take me now, just do it. I'm so ready.
"Ha!" Brandon smirks smugly at mom, who in turn seems confused, "What? But he just—"
"He's in a relationship with someone else," I cut her off.
The entire room goes into an unbearably awkward silence.
"Oh... Uh... I uh—I'm gonna get some drinks. Vodka, anyone?" mom mumbles.
Eric and I's arms shoot up instinctively.
"Anyone who's an ADULT," mom corrects herself.
I sigh. Eric shrugs, "Technically I'm an adult so—"
"I don't think so. Legal drinking age is twenty-one. I, on the other hand, will gladly have a drink, martini please," Ella finally speaks. "Same," Daario adds.
They both glance at me and Eric with an unknown expression. Well this is utter shit, isn't it?
YOU ARE READING
Broken
Teen Fiction"Clementine..." his voice is gentle, as though he's reading my mind. He searches my eyes, concern seeps through his features. I swallow the lump in my throat. I don't like this display of affection. I can take care of myself, I don't need his or any...
