Chapter 19

I’ve not felt this nervous in a long time. I don’t know why I did. It’s probably because I care so much. Right now I was driving in my car to Mikaylas house. I was picking her up for our day together and her parents have insisted on meeting me. I know it’s normally a big step meeting parents but I suppose when you are as young as us you would want to meet who was taking your daughter out.

I drove to the address, it was in the southern part of the city in the hills. I pulled up to where the sat nav had directed me and sat infront of a large black gate. There was a buzzer and intercom to the side. I reached out and pressed it, sure enough a few seconds later the gate opened. I then drove in.

“Holy shit...” I gasped lightly. Her house was massive. Like huge. It looked like it was a very modern build, a design not common around here. I drove up the drive and stopped outside the house. I decided it was best to part next too Mikaylas car. I got out and headed for the large white partial glass door and knocked.

A few minutes later a very large man opened the door. He was maybe just taller than me but he had a very large frame. Not overly fat but just mass.

“Who the hell are you?” He barked.

“Um hello Mr Steven’s ... I’m Shane...” I reached out my hand in introduction. He looked down at my hand and extended his. My hand nearly disappeared in his as he shook it. I tried to give him a firm shake but I could feel that no matter how strong I was, he could crush my hand.

“Shane is it? And what the hell are you doing on my porch Shane?” He growled at me. His figure was quite imposing.

“I’m here for Mikayla...” Surley this had to be a test.

“And what do you want with my daughter?” She stared at me.

“I...” I began to say but someone shouted from the house.

“Richard! Who are you shouting at?” A voice called as the clink of heels arrived. Next to the man mountain stood a stunning woman with brown hair. She wore a simple white casual but smart dress. It hugged her figure so well.

“Richard!” She slapped the massive guy. “Poor boy, you must be Shane, please come in.” The lady ushered me in as she shooed the man away.

“Honey ... just let me do my act. The boy needs to know.” Mikaylas dad urged to the woman who I could only guess was his wife and Mikaylas mom but she looked so young.

“Oh stop it, you aren’t fooling anyone.” She swatted him again before turning to me. “It’s lovely to meet you Shane, I’m Mikayla’s mother, Vivian.” She held out her hand which I shook. “Ignore this big oaf, he’s just playing the protective father role.”

“Completely understandable.” I smiled and nodded as I shook her hand. “Don’t worry sir I promise I will look after and care for you daughter.” I said to him. It was still very early days, we had literally only being dating a week but first impressions are important.

“Oh god, please don’t tell me he’s just done the protective dad speech.” Mikayla said as she cable down the glass staircase. I watched her as she descended the stairs. She was wearing tight light denim jeans with white sneakers. She had a floweral crop top on with thin shoulder traps. Her now blonde hair was tied up in a loose bun/pony tail.

“What? It’s a fathers duty to scare off the new guys.” He said, he flashed me the smallest of winks. It did honestly make me feel a little better.

“Please ignore my dad.” Mikayla said as she came across to me.

“Hard not too.” I laughed nervously.

“Aww don’t worry, he’s just a big softy aren’t you daddy.” She scooted across and gave her dad a big hug.

“Mikayla darling ... you are ruining the facade!” He groaned with a smile.

“Don’t worry sir, you still have me scared shitless.” I joked and was glad when he gave a deep belly laugh.

“Right you, let’s leave them to it! Anyway you promised me a trip to the mall!” Vivian said to her husband.

“Have fun.” Her dad said as she kissed her on the head and let her go.

“I’ll see you guys later, love you!” She said as she grabbed my hand and pulled me away. Z

“Pleasure to meet you Mr and Mrs Stevens!” I called as I was dragged out the front door.

“Sorry about him.” Mikayla apologised to me when we got in my car.

“It’s all good, it’s his job to protect his beautiful daughter.” I said as I began to pull away from her house.

“Honestly he is the biggest softie out there!” She said.

“Ok if you say so, I’ll take your word for it!” I chuckled nervously.

“Did you shake his hand?” She asked.

“I did yeah...” I nodded.

“Good boy, that will have earned you plenty brownie points.” She smiled at me, patting my hand which was resting on the centre console.

“My dad raised me to show the right respect for people. So it just came naturally.” I said to her.

“Aww that’s so sweet. He won’t forget that by the way.” She said. “So where are we going?”

“I have absolutely no idea.” I laughed nervously as I had just started driving.

“Are you hungry?” She asked.

“Mmm I had breakfast but I could eat, got something in mind?”

“I really fancy a shake and there’s only one to go, “Shakes N’ Scoops!” She said a little bit excitedly.

“That’s just north of the promenade isn’t it?” I asked, the faint visual of the large neon sign in my mind.

“Yeah it is!” She nodded.

“Ok I can get us there then!” I said now driving with direction.

“Awesome, now let’s hear your music taste shall we! Don’t be shy and play your phone!” She said patting me on the leg.

“Or we could listen to the radio and not ruin our relationship so early.” I laughed nervously. Like when I had Briana in the car, I’m always nervous to show off my music to other people. Guess it from years of being judged by my ex, Megan. Fucking dead beat that she is.

“Oorrr you could just play your music and stop being a pussy!” She said with a coy smile and a small giggle.

“Oh wow ok...” I laughed as I switched from the radio to my media. I had been listening to my phone on the way over and much like with Briana, Hollywood Undead continued playing.

“Mmmm ok...” She said nodding a little and humming slightly then naturally fell into it. “Where’d you go? Where’s your home? How’d you end up all alone? Can you hear me nooww?”

I glance at her in admiration as she goes on.

“And there’s no light, there’s no sound, hard to breathe when you’re underground? Can you hear me now? HEAR ME NOW?”

“Ok that was pretty fucking hot!” I said wide eyed to her. “You have an incrediable voice!”

“You’re just saying that...” she said blushing.

“Nah being serious, you’d give Danny a run for his money!” I said being serious. “Are you part of the glee club or that?”

“Glee club?” She stifled a laugh.

“Yeah? What’s so funny?”

“The school doesn’t have one...” she said, still giggling.

“What? I thought every school had one?” I said a little dumbfounded.

“Well in fairness Palm Valley isn’t like every other school.” It was a very valid point. Palm Valley was nothing like my old school, although can’t say for certain that Westvale High was the standard school. I mean it was an ok school. Well school wise not in particular the calibre of students. Palms Valley had been a welcome new lease of life for me and I’d rather forget all about that place and life to be honest.

“You ok?” She asked.

“Yeah why?” I asked a little confused.

“You kind of drifted out for a little while there?” She said concerned.

“I did?” Did I? It didn’t feel like I had just a moments thoughts.

“Yeah ... is everything ok?” Her hand softly resting on my lap, not in a sexual way but a comforting way.

“Yeah yeah I’m good. I must have drifted away comparing Palm Valley to my old school.” I said.

“What was your old school like?” Her voice full of curiosity.

“It was probably what you would label as an average high school. Everything was big standard about it. I don’t miss it at all really.” I said.

“Can I ask why you felt your life was wasted until you moved to Palm Valley?” She asked.

“Huh?” I asked confused.

“At the homecoming dance you said you felt your life was wasted until you moved here. I don’t mean to be nosey but I care about you so yeah want to know how to fully make you happy.” She said, her hand squeezing my leg more.

“I did?” Trying to remember but she clearly has a better memory of that night than me. “Well yeah, I thought my life was great at my old school until the night my parents told me we were moving...”

“That must have been so hard to hear and take...” she said.

“It was until I ran to my girlfriends house and caught her getting fucked by my best friend!” I said plainly. The pain not as bad as before. This new school has done a lot to change me.

“Nooo ... I ... you saw it?” She whispered in disbelief.

“Yeah ... Saw the whole act. It wasn’t their first time either, I felt like such a fool and an idiot. I really cared for her and thought he was my closest, most trusted friend.” I said, gripping the wheel tighter.

“Pull over!” She said sharply. I didn’t question and in a panic I pulled over to the side of the road.