Chasing Fans (D.S)

Introducing Daniel

It's a silent ride home. We drop off Colton, and then we go home.

"Why don't you like that boy? He seems nice. I like him better than the one you have." My dad says.

"You've never even met Daniel. How can you say you don't like him?" I ask, walking inside to go sit on the couch.

"Just by the way you're acting. You never acted like that before. I never want to meet him, let me just make that clear."

"Actually, I want too, Rob." My mom says.

My dad glares at her. "Lisa, no."

"Maybe we need to give him a chance."

My dad scoffs. "There's no way. You can, but I don't want to."

"That's just fine then. El, invite him over."

I look at both my parents. "If that's what you want." I go upstairs and close my door. I pull out my phone and text Daniel.

"My mom wants to meet you, when do you think you can come up?"

I pull my homework out of my backpack and decide that I should probably catch up.

I needed time to think about Colton. He thinks I'm cute. But he comes off kind of weird. Does he like me? Well, whatever, I guess. I have Daniel. Why would I mess that up?

I look on Instagram, like I always do, and Colton is in my inbox.

"Thanks again ;)"

Ew. Just no.

My phone goes off and it's Daniel. I should put this on silent before they realize I have it.

":) I can come down this weekend, I'll be in Baltimore, can't wait!"

I smile. I'm not sure if my mom meeting Daniel is a good thing, but it's the first time she has wanted anything to do with my life.

Saturday night comes and Daniel is at my door right on cue. I run downstairs and open it. "Hey."

"Hey." He smiles and hugs me.

"Come in."

He comes in and we sit at the table.

My mom brings food to the table. "Hello Daniel. It's nice to meet you."

"It's nice to meet you too, Mrs..."

"Call me Lisa."

"It's nice to meet you, Lisa."

She smiles and walks back into the kitchen.

"Where's your dad?" He asks, looking at me.

"He, um, didn't want to meet you. He wants nothing to do with you."

He frowns a little. "But, why? What did I do?"

"He thinks that you're the reason why I'm 'acting out'."

My mom comes back with the rest of the food and sits down. "Please, take whatever you want and as much as you want."

"Thank you." Daniel says.

We fill up our plates.

"So, Daniel, what do you do?" She asks, shoving salad into her mouth.

He looks at me then at her. "Well Ma'am, I'm in a band."

"Oh, really? Ellie never told me. What's that like?"

"It's fun. Thanks for asking."

"But do you have a real job?" She starts cutting her steak.

"It is a job mom. They're famous, and they keep getting bigger."

"El, I didn't ask you. Let the boy answer for himself."

"No, Ma'am. This is all I have."

"Hmm, alright."

We eat in silence after that, and when my mom finishes, she gets up and goes to the kitchen.

"I'm so sorry." I say, putting my hand on his shoulder.

"It's okay. Some people just don't understand."