Song for this chapter: Camilla Cabella - Liar

"Are you sure I look okay?" I questioned for the millionth time tugging at the black knitted sweater that came up to my jawline
"Yes, you look gorgeous," Nate responded calmly, for almost the millionth time as well.
How did I get so lucky to get someone so patient with me. I grinned back up at him, watching the way his jaw clenched and unclenched. He's been so on edge all day. I wish I could do something to better for him.
"If my dad starts making you uncomfortable, just don't answer him and squeeze my hand under the table," Nate spoke in a low tone.
Here I was worrying about my outfit when Nate looked genuinely worried about this dinner. His dad can't possible be that bad.
"Okay," I murmed still confused, I  extended my hand out to lace my finger into his, "If you're beside me, I'm sure I'll be okay."
I looked back up at the tall boy who was still display a worried look. I was infatuated with him. I found myself watching the way his skin crinkled under his eyes and the way the sun lit up his honey eyes.
My blond locks of hair flowed down my back in its natural waves and a pair of Black Jeans hung losely on my thin legs with a baggy black knitted sweater that came up to my collar bones and cascaded down my body, in  layers of thick fabric. The outfit looked like it was suffocating my tiny body but it was better then his parents seeing the bruises on my body. The worst part about being so pale and fragile. Worst of all most of the bruises are just from gentle touches or my dumb ass being clumsy. But I didn't want them to get the wrong idea.  I've never met anyones parents before well except for Jason. But that wasn't necessarily count.
Jason was my brothers first freind when we moved from our family home in grade 7. Due to a problem caused by the one and only me yet again. Aaron and Jason were always glued at the hip. Until Aaron started taking more classes, and working more shifts at his part-time job. It left Jason alone a lot. And soon his intentions became very clear. We started hooking up, but it went on for years behind my brothers back.  And that's the part that still baffles me. I slept with him willingly-- it was all consensual.. but then he had to go and drug me and make that video.
"Ready to go in?" Nate questioned, reaching towards the silver door handle.
"Yup!" I chimed, flashing a toothy smile. Knocking the vile memory out of my mind.

I followed closely behind Nate. The air was warm and suffocating with many different scents of food. The house was modestly plain with the odd decor here and there and multiple family photos on the walls. The fourth person in the family photos caught my attention, I wonder who that could be.
"Mom," Nate called out, "We're here."
"In the kitchen hun," a feminine voice called out.
We walked past a dinning room that had a table already set, and walked
into an open kitchen that revealed a middle age women and man standing in the kitchen. The coach who I had seen on the field yesterday was carving a roast, and who I would presume to be Nates mom was struggling to open a bottle of wine.
"You two can both go take a seat at the table, we'll be right out," Nate's mom cooed.
Nate laced his hand into mine oncr again and pulled me out of the kitchen. The table was divided into 4 with two on either places set on each side. Nate pulled out one of the chairs on the backside of the table and sat down in the one beside it.
"Remember, squeeze my hand if you feel uncomfortable," Nate muttered, just as his parents stepped into the dining room.
"Lily, this is my dad Cal and my mom Marsha. Dad, mom this Lily," Nate spoke softly, giving a formal introduction.
Honestly this all just felt so weird. And all of it was uncomfortable.
"It's so lovely to meet you," Marsha gushed sitting down at the table, "Would you like some white wine?"
I look over at Nate confused on if I should decline or accept the offer, he nodded his head subtly.
"I'd love some," I responded, folding my hands in my lap.
Why was I so anxious. I shouldn't be anxious they were just people. But with how tense Nate had been all day it only made me the panic settle in that much harder.
Supper went by a lot quicker then I had expected, Marsha was super sweet and we were both already three glasses of wine in. Cal hadn't spoke a word which made it somewhat awkward when Marsha would laugh and Cal would look at me with a disembodied stare. He appeared to he bored. Even Nate was putting in some effort to hold a conversation.
"Those dill carrots were amazing," I commented, bringing the wine glass back up to my lips.
I've always loved the way that wine made a person feel all bubbly and warm inside.
"Thank you, sweetheart. They're my favorite as well," Marsha chimed, sliding back her chair to stand up, "I'll go grab the dessert."
Marsha pranced away, with her heels clicking on the tile flooring. Cal placed his fork down on the table and looked  up at Nate.
"So what happened with Maddy this time," Cal sneered, lowering his eyes at his son, "How long before it's her back on your arm?"
His eerie voice sent chills down my spine, what was up with this guy?
"Dad. This isn't the time," Nate hissed, starring down at the plate.
"I think it's a perfect time. Where'd you find this one to show off too your mother? How much did it cost?" Cal spoke firmly. No emotion in his voice or his expressionless face.
Did.. Did Nate's dad just call me escort. Man this guy was nuts.
"Lily and I are dating," Nate growled back. His fists clenched and unclenched on his lap.
Dating? Now we're dating. What was going on.
"It's impressive that you always find some distraction," Cal snarked, picking his fork back up.
I reached my hand under the table, taking Nate's hand into mine..but not  because I uncomfortable. I couldn't stop myself from wanting to comfort him. His father was an asshole. The kind of asshole that you tried to ignore because they weren't worth it. Karma will surely bite him in the ass.
"I hope you all like strawberry rhubarb crisp," Marsha chimed walking back into the silent dining room, a wide smile and her painted lips. She held a sad gaze like she had clearly heard the short lived conversation.
"I'm going out," Cal scoffed, scrapping his chair back and rising from the table.
Marsha let out a heavy sigh as she set the pan of crisp on the pot holder in the middle of the table.
"I'm sorry about him," Marsha whispered softly, "You seem like a lovely young lady."
"No need to apologize it's really okay," I smiled, "But I would love some of that crisp it smells amazing."
Marsha smiled widely and picked up the spatula to serve my a peice of the delicious berry dessert. Nate squeezed my hand under the table causing my head to look over at him, his lips were pulled into the widest smile I've ever seen on him.

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A/n- This chapter is unedited but I was too excited to post it, I'll probably edit it in the next day or two.