Who said talking to your girlfriend's parents would be easy?

"So, Cody, I understand you and Amy have started dating".

You haven't even sat down at the table yet, and Mr. Pearson is already making things uncomfortable.

"Not really, like we haven't been on any dates yet, but I guess so, yes", you responded, trying to maintain your composure in this high-stress situation.

"Eric, c'mon, go easy on him", Mrs. Pear-sorry, Allison, said as she took the lasagna out of the stove. "We've known him for almost his whole life".

"This is the first time we've seen him in this context though", Mr. Pearson said as his eyes moved between his wife and you.

"Well he's been a great friend to Amy the entire time, and I'm sure he'll continue to be great with Amy. Remember the situation with Ashley?" her mom said, defending you.

You shuddered internally, thinking of that time in sophomore year when all of Amy's girl friends tried to **** her with some fake "evidence" that they created.

"Cody stepped up and was a great person to her that entire time", Allison continued. "Remember that one time that he came over and told Amy that he would beat them up? Granted, I know he wouldn't start fights, but the fact that he's willing to stand up for her is, well, it's exemplary and very showing of his character".

This is starting to get really awkward for you to stand in the middle of. Her parents are just talking about you as if you're not there.

"I guess you're right, Allison", Mr. Pearson conceded, but then turned to you and warned "But if you ever do anything to Amy, I will stop at nothing to hurt you". You guess he had to get that last line in to fit that stereotypical girlfriend's dad warning about doing whatever you do to his daughter to you.

Trying to hide your amusement (and a bit of pride from all the things Allison was saying about you), you respond with "Of course, and I'll make your job easier by coming over here and asking you to."

"Well, let's eat!" Allison said, stepping in between the two of you, easing the tension. "Amy! Evelyn! Supper's ready!"

Amy and Evelyn appeared almost instantly in the entryway to the kitchen, then everybody filled their plates with food and you all started eating.

"So, Cody," Allison said, starting more conversation after the silence that lasted several minutes. "What are you planning on majoring in?"

"I was thinking about intelligence analysis actually", you respond, with a bit of a lie. You didn't really have that much of an idea in what you were majoring in, but this was one of the ones you were the most interested in. "It's not really a common degree, but it's like the type of degree that people in investigation agencies have."

Mr. Pearson looked pleased by this, the fact that you were going for a fairly difficult degree moving you more in the positive direction in terms of your relationship with him. Literally.

"It's so nice that you already have your plans made", Allison responded, then she turned to Amy. "Unlike some people here."

Funny, you had said the same thing to Summer about a week ago.

"Mom...I'm just trying to keep my options open," Amy protested.

Supper lightened up a little bit after that, you answering a lot of questions from her parents, Amy occasionally chiming in, and Evelyn actually engaging in conversation, surprisingly.

At the end of it, though, Mr. Pearson pulled you aside, saying "Cody, I want to apologize for being so harsh to you when you first came over here. It's not every day that your daughter just brings home a guy, much less one that's going to spend the night for a week. You're a great guy, Cody, and I fully support you and Amy."

You're almost positive that you lost your consciousness for a second. If the Affection Multiplier hadn't been in your favor, you're almost 100% positive he would've never said that.

"Well, thank you Mr. Pearson", you mustered. "It means a lot to me."

"Call me Eric", he responded with a smile, then walked back into the kitchen to clean up after supper.

Pearson, Allison

Affection Score: 62 (+11)

Pearson, Eric

Affection Score: 73 (+16)

After supper, the evening is relaxed, you and Amy doing some work for college, finishing up assignments that you had to do and working some on papers. You watched TV with the family, as they usually did when you weren't around, and then everyone slowly started to get tired, except for you.