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J A S O N

I let out a shaky breath, tucking my tie into my jacket before buttoning it up. I grabbed my phone, shoving it into my pocket before I made my way out of my room and downstairs. I heard Alex whistle through his teeth as I walked into the kitchen. "Well, don't you look shabby."

I sighed, not feeling up for a sassy remark to give him. I walked over to the sink, pouring myself a glass of water before chugging it down. God dammit, I'm nervous. I turned to Alex, raising my eyebrows slightly, my heart racing in my chest.

"What do I do? I don't know these people, what do I say to them to have them approve of me?"

His eyebrows shot up in surprise, probably because I'm asking him for advice, which was strange and very rare - frankly, I'm surprised myself. He cleared his throat, adjusting his position in his seat before looking at me with a small smile.

"Just show them how much you love their daughter, be respectful, compliment them on everything you possibly can: their house, the food, her dad's collection of bibles."

I let out a chuckle and he did too "..Just let them know you care about her and that she's all that matters to you."

"She is all that matters to me." I said, my face completely serious.

Nothing, and I mean NOTHING is more important to me than her.

"Prove that to them and you won't go wrong."

I sighed, nodding my head. "Thanks." Before grabbing my car keys and heading out.

Holding a bunch of flowers in one hand with a single rose in the other, I awkwardly knocked on the front door of their house. Little droplets of sweat forming on my forehead, my hands clammy. The doorknob turned and I swear I could hear my heart beating in my ears. Luckily, after it swung open, Iris was the one standing on the other end. Her smile gave me a sense of comfort and I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding.

"Hey."

"Hi." She whispered, kissing my cheek before stepping to the side. "Come on in."

I stepped inside, just in time for a woman to walk up behind her, her mother. Her smile was spread out across her face.

"Hello, you must be Jason."

"Hi, um.. Yes I am." I nodded, managing to give her a small smile while holding out the bunch of flowers to her. "These are for you."

She gasped lightly, taking them out of my hand. "Oh, thank you, Jason. They're lovely."

I smiled, biting my lip while holding my hands behind my back "You're most welcome, ma'am."

She shook her head, waving her free hand slightly. "Oh no, not ma'am, call me Diane."

I smiled, nodding my head and correcting myself "Diane."

Iris raised her eyebrow, a small smirk on her face "How come my mom gets flowers and I don't?"

I chuckled, "I knew you'd say that." I pulled out my hand that held the rose, handing it over to her. "Here you go, beautiful."

Her cheeks flushed and she took it out of my hand, smiling her gorgeous smile. "Thank you."

I nodded, smiling while our eyes locked. "You're welcome."

For a moment, looking into her eyes, I forgot her mom was standing there and I think she did too. Once I snapped back to reality my gaze turned to her mom, who was staring at the two of us intently, her lips holding a small smile.

"I'm gonna go put these in some water." She announced, motioning to the flowers before walking away.

"Come on." Iris whispered, motioning with her head for me to follow her. Before we stepped into the living room I grabbed her hand, pulling her back to me.

"Baby."

She looked up at me, her eyebrows furrowing. "Yeah?"

I gulped, my stomach turning and the familiar racing feeling of my heart coming back.

"I'm scared." I stated honestly, feeling a little stupid to actually say it out loud to her but I needed her to know the truth, in case I mess up. She stared at me for a second, her eyes searching mine before she gave me a small smile, turning to face me.

"It'll be fine, Jason. My mom already loves you."

I sighed, shaking my head. "Yeah but she's not the hard one, your dad is!"

She nodded, "True, but it doesn't matter. I love you no matter what he says." She gave my hand a squeeze before pulling me into the living room "By the way, I love the suit." She smirked at me and I chuckled, my cheeks heating up a little bit.

"Dad, this is Jason." Iris said as we walked inside the dining room. Her father's eyes fell on me and never in my life have I felt so intimidated. It's not that he was big built or anything, it's just the fact that our relationship lies in his hands -on his approval- whether he likes me or not, it'll always be a factor in our relationship. I let out a nervous breath, holding out my hand while nodding my head.

"It's nice to meet you, sir"

He nodded his head back at me, shaking my hand firmly. "Likewise, Jason."He looked around, seeing everyone else in the room. "Well, let's eat, shall we?" He said, motioning to the table.

We all walked over to the table, taking our seats. I was placed next to Iris. Her father sat next to her, at the head of table while her mom sat next to me, opposite him. Opposite me was Gaby, then Adam and Holly. Alex's words floated back into my head "Compliment them on everything".... I cleared my throat, smiling at her mom.

"The food smells great, Mrs. Diane."

She smiled at me, her cheeks flushing. "Oh, well thank you, Jason. I hope it tastes as good."

I chuckled, biting my lip while my eyes roamed over the table. Holly held a cocky smirk on her face, Gaby and Iris were having a conversation with their eyes and Adam was looking at me with amusement. I dared a glance at her dad and he s.was staring at me with a stern look. I gulped, shifting uncomfortably in my seat and I looked down at my plate. "Alright, let's say grace... Jason."

My head snapped up and I looked at him with wide eyes. "Um.. I'm sorry?"

He raised his eyebrow, "Will you please say grace for us?"

Oh shit! I haven't prayed since kindergarten lunch time. I glanced at Iris and she nodded at me, giving me a look that said "please just do it or else it'll be a really big deal".

I took a deep breath before nodding my head "Yes, sir."

They all shut there eyes and I looked at Iris. she began mouthing something:

"Say what I say."

I nodded and she began mouthing some more so I repeated everything after her out loud. I finished it up and pretended to open my eyes with them. Her dad gave me a small nod as if to say: "you did okay".

We began dishing the food onto our plates and I started to relax ... but then her father began interrogating me. "So, Jason. How did you meet Iris?"

I looked at him, sitting up straight. For a moment, thought of telling him the Holly story, just to get her in trouble but then I realized he'd probably ask me what I was doing at the club.

"At school, sir."

He nodded, eating some of his food. "Iris is a very hard worker where schoolwork is concerned, are you the same, Jason?"

I licked my lips, furrowing my eyebrows, "I try my best, sir."

Total lie but whatever .... I reached down and began eating some of my food. He nodded, sipping on his water.

"Do you go to church often, Jason?"

I almost choked on my food, swallowing quickly, "Um... No, sir" I coughed out. He raised his eyebrows, his eyes turning hard.

"Your parents don't think its important?"

"Dad!" Iris said, staring at him in disbelief. I bit my lip, my eyes narrowing slightly.

"Um.. No sir, my parents died when I was very young, its just me and my brother and he's never taken me to church."

I heard Iris' mom gasp and I turned to her with furrowed eyebrows. She gave me a look of sympathy. "I'm so sorry to hear that about your parents, Jason."

I shrugged, giving her a small smile "It's okay, Mrs. Diane. It was a long time ago, barely even remember them now." I mumbled, shrugging my shoulders. She frowned, her eyes reminded me of Iris' whenever I spoke bad about myself.

"Oh, well I'm still sorry."

"How did they die?" Her dad asked blankly. My jaw clenched and I glanced at Iris before looking at him. Now, I have to lie ... some more.

"Car accident, sir. They died on the spot."

He nodded, his eyes softening a little "Oh, well I'm sorry, too. Nobody deserves to grow up without their parents."

I nodded and I felt a hand in mine, I recognized it immediately as Iris when her fingers intertwined with mine. She gave my hand a little squeeze and I looked at her, my lips twitching up and my entire body relaxing. She's here for me, like she always is.

"I noticed you have a tattoo, Jason."

Oh, I have many, sir, you just can't see them thanks to my very expensive suit. I looked at him, nodding my head. Um, yes, it says patience, sir."

He scowled at me subtly, his eyebrows furrowing. "You think tattoos are 'cool'? I think they are unnecessary and completely inappropriate."

I heard Iris sigh and I nodded my head, licking my lips. I completely agree with you, sir, some tattoos are completely unnecessary and inappropriate. I didn't get a tattoo to look cool, I got it for a reason. Some people like keeping scrap books, some like keeping a diary and some like keeping memoirs but that's not me. I got this tattoo to remind myself that patience is important, not everything needs to be rushed, some things take time and we need to be patient and calm, we need to keep an open mind. I mean, the bible does say we should be patient, doesn't it?" I raised my eyebrow, everything I just said was complete bullshit, I have dozens of tattoos that mean nothing - just to make me look bad ass - but my little answer was pretty impressive according to his surprised expression.

"Yes the bible does say that. Jason, you have just completely changed my perspective on tattoos." Her mom said with a chuckle. I smiled, chuckling with her.

Her dad nodded, muttering a bitter "Yes, i guess so."

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Dinner date! How do you guys it's going so far?

- Sam :)