17 | invitation

                                    

                                          

                            

                                
                            
                              
                                  
                              
                              
                                
                                  
                                  
                                
                              
                             
                            
                            
                          
                          
"I want to be in Slytherin." Jasmine is watching the movie with teary eyes. 
The night has arrived, and we're now watching Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2, specifically the scene after Severus Snape died and Harry looking into the Pensieve, finally finding out that the said professor was the true hero. 
I would have cried my eyes too if I hadn't watched the scenes for God knows how many times. I've lost count of it. 
Besides, Cal is doing a pretty good job in distracting my full attention. While Jasmine is hugging her knees on the couch, sitting between us, Cal is secretly holding my hand behind the couch. He's playing with my fingers, and although we just had sex earlier today, the feeling of his delicate touch on my skin still sends shivers down my spine. 
"I need to go to the bathroom," I suddenly say, standing up. 
The blush on my cheeks makes Cal chuckle lightly. Looking at the amusement on his face as he teases me makes my cheek heat up even more. 
Once I'm in the bathroom, I lock the door and finish my business on the toilet, then wash my hands at the sink. 
I stare at my reflection in the mirror, and a sigh leaves my lips. I still look freshly fucked and unmistakably flustered. 
When I planned to go to Cal's apartment this morning, I didn't expect that I would spend my entire day with them. Spending time with Cal and Jasmine has made me lose track of time. 
I step out of the bathroom, and my gaze darts on my bag lying on the counter. I shove my hand into it, searching for my phone. 
My eyes widen in shock as I find many missed calls and unread messages from Mom and Dad. 
Just in time, my phone rings, and Dad's number appears on the screen. I quickly pick it up and turn my back at Cal and Jasmine, who are still watching the movie in the living room, Jasmine's loud voice echoing in the background as she talks about the movie. 
"Dad." I shut my eyes, expecting to get yelled at. I'm doomed. 
I was too occupied with Cal and Jasmine that I forgot to check my phone. 
"Where are you?" Dad's voice is firm and sounds like he's trying his best to hold his anger. 
"Uh..." I don't know what to say to him. 
Mom must have informed him that I was at Keisha's house after I texted her, but that isn't the case now. I feel even more guilty now that I was lying. They must have figured out that I visited another place. 
"I'm with Cal, Dad." 
Dad is silent for a while, and I can even hear my own heartbeat in my ear. 
"You better get back now before dinner time," Dad says, still with a tone that makes my heart sink. "We're waiting for you." 
"Well, Dad..." I falter, but then realize that maybe going home is indeed the best option now. "Alright. I'll be there in a while." 
Before I can hang up the phone, Dad speaks again, "And Mia," he warns. "Bring Cal here. I want to meet your boyfriend." 
My mouth drops open. I'm staring at my phone screen, dumbfounded, when the call ends. I sneaked out this morning so that I could escape this kind of situation, but in the end, I've made it even worse. 
"What's wrong?" Cal's voice startles me when he approaches me. Concern crosses his expression when he notices the worry on my face. 
"I think I have to go home now," I say softly, my voice filled with guilt. 
"Well, then, I'll drive you home." Cal grabs his jacket from the couch and slips into it, getting ready. "I should talk to your Dad too. I should have done so before you came here." 
He's being a gentleman, and while that's comforting, I can't help but feel sorry for him. It's not his fault that my Dad is mad -- it's mine. 
I shouldn't have acted like meeting him was something I should keep as a secret from my parents, like sneaking out to see him was necessary. But I did that only because I knew that Dad didn't like him. 
Cal doesn't deserve this. 
"Actually, my Dad invited you to come over too," I say truthfully, my voice small. "My parents want you to have dinner with us tonight." 
I can see from Cal's face that he didn't expect this information. He looks taken aback. 
"Are you two going somewhere?" Jasmine asks innocently from the couch. 
Cal chuckles and strides toward her. He then ruffles her hair, making it messy. Jasmine plasters a cute pout on her face. 
"Yes, I'm going to drive Amelia home," Cal says with a small smile on his lips. "You be good here, okay? I left the food for dinner inside the fridge. Don't wait for me to eat." 
A soft smile touches my lips while I'm watching them. 
"But Amelia will come back here again, right?" She turns her head toward me, her voice filled with anticipation.
I nod, smiling at her. "Of course, Jasmine."
Jasmine shifts her attention back to Cal, now with a big grin on her face. "Okay, then."

                            

                                
                            
                              
                                  
                              
                              
                                
                                  
                                  
                                
                              
                             
                            
                            
                          
                          

Although I suggest that Cal should drive me with his car and leave mine at his apartment so that he can later drive back to his apartment, he insists to return my car, saying that he can take public transportation from my house. 
Now that the car stops in front of my house, both of us let silence creep between us for a moment. 
My hands are sweaty as I play them on my lap, my mind worrying about how Dad would react.
Cal looks a bit nervous himself. The sight is new to me, because this guy usually emits confidence wherever he goes. He clears his throat, his hands still placed on the steering wheel. 
"Shall we get out now?" I start, and he turns to me. 
"Right." He steps out of the car first, and before I can land my foot on the ground, he already helps me out. 
I take his hand, standing up before closing the car door behind me. My heart is thumping hard when we walk slowly toward the porch of my house. The moment we finally come face to face with the door, I can hear Cal blow out a sigh beside me. 
Aside from his gorgeous side view, I notice the concern in his eyes too. Deep down in my heart, I know how amazing this person standing beside me is, and no one should make him feel like he's any less than that. 
I squeeze his hand gently to comfort him, and that's when the door in front of us opens.