Ignorance is Bliss

"Literally, hours, I don't know if they were just pretending to make noises by the end." I explain to Elise. We'd met up in the library on our free period. It turns out Rouge and Trish weren't joking yesterday, the sounds I heard will haunt me forever.

"So, Rouge is going on a date with Rob, Trish is getting close with Skye, but also Rouge and Trish are fucking? Do you ever think we've got the simple relationship?" She asks with a chuckle. Relative to them, anything's simple, even us with our 'love' embargo.

The library's dead, I've got drama this afternoon, but it's just working on our submissions, which we already finished, so essentially I'm free for the day, but Elise has Music, so no chance of sneaking home for some alone time. We're sat on the floor in the furthest section from the door, but it wouldn't matter, there's no one around, not even the librarian.

"I mean, I'm always glad I'm with you, but especially when I look at the weird romance pentagram they're in." I laugh. Rouge had explained the rules her and Trish have when we were catching up yesterday, no falling for each other, no telling other people, and any other relationships end it. Curiously, both of them seem to have something going on with someone else, and they haven't stopped. Plus, a bunch of people know about it now, that's two out of three rules broken. "Do you think they're actually into each other?" I ask.

"Oh, I think they're into each other, then out, then in again..." Elise jokes. Okay, bad phrasing, I'll admit. "I don't see it, if I'm honest, Rouge is so convinced she'll never be anything but straight, and Trish isn't interested in anything but sex. They're just... Incompatible." She surmises.

I can't help but agree, but then I can never get a read on them, and I'm hardly a relationship expert. "You find a way to put things into words when I can't think of it, maybe that's why we're compatible?" I grin, looking into her eyes. She looks back with an acknowledging smirk.

"Actually... I needed to ask you something." She begins. She closes the book she was reading and focuses on me. "When is your mother back?" Okay, not a question I was ready for... But not a difficult one.

"Should be tonight, maybe seven or eight? Why?" I respond with a confused tone. Does she want to come over or something?

"My parents... Want to meet your family." She reveals, hesitantly. Oh. That would be chaos. It would almost certainly be a disaster. Her mother can't even speak to them. Her dad would probably be fine, but how long before someone says something to humiliate me? "Tomorrow night." She adds.

Wonderful. No one like a long wait for their execution.

"That... Scares me to my core." I admit. "I know my Mum'll say yes, and she'll definitely bring Jasper and Minnie, and she'll force Rouge to go..." I explain, with Elise reaching the same realisation.

"And that's a war waiting to happen." She concludes with a worried expression. "But my Papa insisted I ask you, I can tell him you're busy?" She suggests. Damn, I wish that were an option.

"No, they're gonna meet eventually, and if they realise we delayed it that'll just make it worse. Let's do it, what's the worst that could happen?" I decide. famous last words, but it's not like it can go worse than the last family dinner.

Elise seems genuinely happy about this... Why do I get the feeling this solely her dad's idea? "Perfect, I'll let my parents know, you don't need to dress up or anything." She tells me enthusiastically. Yep, she wants her parents to meet them, I'm curious why, but I know I'll have my answers tomorrow. For now, I'm just enjoying Elise's smile. it's the little things.

*

"So I have to sit through another dinner with Minnie?" Rouge groans. "This is the third time I've had to suffer her because of you. You owe me way too much at this point." She adds, taking a slice of pizza. We'd ordered in while we await Mum's return, so we'd taken to the living room to watch a film while we waited.

I take a slice of my own before responding. "Hey, when you meet a guy's parents I'll return the favour." I offer. "Or not, I hear Rob's not close with his parents." I add smugly. Rouge seems less impressed with my retort.

"Don't remind me about that, I've been trying to think of a good reason to cancel it that doesn't make me seem like a total bitch." She clarifies.

"I mean... You could just go, have a fun time with a guy you like?" I propose. She seems more than nervous, like she's desperate for a way out and I'm not sure why... "Unless you're worried about something else? Tall, free-spirited, massive tits?"

Rouge looks at me like I'm an idiot... She may be right. "Not likely. I barely know the guy, how would I even know if I like him?" She asks with a frustrated tone.

"I think that's what the date's for." I point out. "There's no pressure, if you don't want to do it again, then don't... And if you need a quick escape text me and I'll call you with an 'emergency' or something." I reassure her. I feel like she deserves something good, she's been nothing but helpful to me, and been given way too much crap. At the very least a date will help her self-esteem.

My sister doesn't get a chance to respond before we hear the front door open. Soon enough, Mum appears from around the corner... And what's really shocking is she's not alone...