Scott and I had been dating for an entire month now. It was great. He was coming over for dinner tomorrow night and I was so excited that he'd get to formally meet my parents. Aunt Kate even moved back to town so we'd all be together so he'd even get to meet her. Tonight I was meeting Melissa though.
"Hey kiddo," Kate said from my doorway. "Special plans with the boyfriend tonight?"
I look at my white tank and jeans in the mirror. I put on my little black jacket over it.
"I'm meeting his mom." I take a deep breath before turning to her. "What do you think? Too casual? Should I do something more formal?"
She laughs and says "You're stressing this way too much dear. Scott likes you no matter what you wear. I'm sure his mother will love you just the way you are."
"I'm just worried. You've met Lydia. She finds a way to charm everyone. She can fit into any conversation. I can't. What if she doesn't like me because I'm nothing like Lydia?"
Kate grabs my shoulders and says "How do you and Scott feel about each other?"
"I love him and he loves me."
"Then you have nothing to worry about. He knows you're nothing like Lydia and he loves you. His mom will be the same."
"How can you be so sure? What if she hates me and then Scott breaks up with me? What if he stops talking to me because his mother disapproves?"
Kate turns me so I'm facing my mirror. "Look at that beautiful young lady in the mirror. What person could ever not like her? His mother will adore you kiddo. Just be your normal self and you'll win her over in no time. Give her one of those Argent smiles and you'll be fine. You're an Argent girl. We're confident, smart, beautiful, and extremely skilled."
I take a deep breath and nod. "You're right. I'll be fine. Scott and I will be fine. Everything will go great. We'll be fine."
Kate smiles and walks me to the front door. She throws me the car keys before gesturing me out the door. Mom walks over and hugs me tightly.
"Don't be nervous sweetheart. Just be yourself and she'll adore you."
With a deep breath, I got into the car and drive to the McCall household. Pulling into the driveway, I sat frozen in the drivers seat. I couldn't will myself to get out of the car. If I got out, I would have to go to the door. If I went to the door, I'd have to ring the doorbell. If I did that, someone would have to answer. What if Melissa is the one to open the door? What would she think when she sees me?
I need Scott. I need him to hold me and make me feel like everything would be ok. I need him to reassure me that I'll be fine and that no matter what happens tonight, that we'd be fine. I need him to tell me that his mother will think that I'm absolutely perfect.
I shake my head and get out of the car. I need to stop overthinking this. All I have to do is be myself. Relax and be your usual self.
"Here goes nothing," I muttered to myself as I rang the doorbell. "Please be Scott. Please be Scott." Muttering those words over and over as I gnawed at my bottom lip.
"I've got it," Scott shouted in the house. I let out a sigh of relief when he opened the door. "Hey beautiful." He kisses me gently and all my worries disappeared. "I'm so sorry about tonight."
I get a confused look and say "What's wrong with tonight?"
"Well, my mom and I aren't exactly alone for the night." He takes my hand and guides me into the house. "Allison's here," he said into the house.
Melissa walks out from the kitchen, rubbing the flour from her hands onto her apron and smiling sweetly. "You must be the famous Allison. I've heard so much about you. I'm so happy I finally get to meet you." She pulls me into a tight hug.
"Cookies are done," Lydia said as she walked out of the kitchen carrying a tray with chocolate chip cookies. "Hey Allison."
Lydia was here. Lydia was baking with Melissa. Lydia was standing right in front of me on the night I was supposed to be able to prove to Melissa that I'm the better fit for Scott.
"Allison, you have to try one of these chocolate chips," Melissa said as she walked to stand behind Lydia, placing her hands on her shoulders. "Lydia makes the best chocolate chips. I can eat three of them within five seconds after they've cooled down."
Lydia laughs and says "Oh please, Scott practically inhales the entire tray as soon as they come out of the oven."
I turn to Scott and see him smiling at me. He leans down and kisses my cheek.
"We just ordered pizza," Scott said. "I got your favorites, a pepperoni slice and a Hawaiian slice."
Melissa smiles and says "Don't worry Lydia, I ordered yours with extra cheese and well done, just how you like it."
"You know me so well Melissa."
"Of course sweetheart, you're practically family."
Lydia smiles at me and says "I'll take my slice to go. I don't wanna interfere with you three hanging out tonight. Melissa, next time I come over, we'll bake brownies."
"Oh dear, do you really have to go so soon? You know you're always welcomed to stay as long as you'd like. It's always a pleasure having you over."
Lydia shakes her head and says "No, I should really leave you three alone. I've already taken up way too much of your time. I had a lot of fun though."
Melissa shakes her head and says "I insist. You must stay."
Lydia then says "I really shouldn't. I'm intruding already."
"Nonsense. You're never intruding. Right Scott?"
Scott chuckles and says "Come on Lyds. It's already dark out and you walked here. Stay for pizza and a movie and then I'll walk you home. What do you say?"
This could not be happening. I'm already losing him. Lydia turns to me with a sweet smile.
"I say I'd love to, as long as Allison doesn't mind of course."
Of course I mind. You have to leave. "Of course I don't mind. It'll be fun to have you here." Why the hell did I just say that?
"It's settled. I'm staying."