Part Fifteen

"Thank you for the dinner. I got to go now. Thank you so much." Nathan said after realizing it was already eight thirty. He had been chatting with Joseph's family for a while after dinner.

"You're welcome! See you next time!" Joseph's mom grinned and waved.

"I'll walk you out." Joseph said as he got up and opened the door for Nathan. Nathan waved his goodbye and left before Joseph closed the door gently.

"Your boyfriend seems pretty good. He's polite and nice." Joseph's mom said, sitting on the couch.

"Of course Mom. That's why I love him so much." Joseph blushed as he said that.

"Haha, my little brother falls in love! I knew it all along!!" Jennifer exclaimed as she walked up the stairs to her bedroom.

"Just go back to your room!" Joseph rolled his eyes.

Seeing both of her children happy, Joseph's mom had an amused smile on her face. Joseph then went up to her and sat next to her. He asked timidly, "Mom... Do you approve of my relationship with Nathan?"

She wrapped her arm around Joseph's shoulder and replied, "As long as you are happy and he treats you well, I will not interfere your relationship."

"Thanks Mom!" Joseph was really happy. He hugged his mom and calmly rested his head on her shoulder. She smiled and petted his son's shoulder.

"Do you have school tomorrow or anything?" she asked while looking at her sweetheart in her arms.

"I forgot I have to finish my essay today!" Joseph gasped before he got up from the couch. "Talk to you later Mom!" he went upstairs to his bedroom immediately.

Everything went smoothly today. Nathan got to meet Joseph's family and they got along pretty well.

After finishing his essay, Joseph went to bed. He thought about how lucky he was and he was grateful that his family accepted his relationship before he fell asleep.

The night passed and it was the next day.

Joseph was now having lesson with his friends and of course, his loved one. He lay his head on Nathan's shoulder. Nathan would not complain about it though, he loved giving support to Joseph and enjoyed the warmth they shared.

The lesson ended after a few hours. Ian suggested having lunch together as they always separated and had lunch in groups of two. Nathan felt like he had not had lunch with Ian for a long time, so he agreed to have lunch together this time. Joseph also agreed as all he wanted was to stick with Nathan. After packing their bags, the four boys left their classroom and headed to the restaurant that Ian wanted to go.

Meanwhile, Allison was having art lesson. Her chin was resting on her hand and her eyes were dull while teacher was talking about skills for water painting. She looked absent-minded.

"Are you okay?" Kira tapped Allison's elbow.

"Ah? What?" Allison came back to earth.

"I said 'are you okay'. You look distracted." Kira whispered.

"I'm okay. Thanks for your concern." Allison replied and focused back on the lesson again.

"Okay..." Kira went back to listening to what the teacher was saying.

However, Allison got distracted again as soon as she refocused on the lesson. She just could not quit thinking about someone and her past relationship with him.

The lesson ended a while later. After the teacher had dismissed the class and left the classroom, students started to pack their stuff.

"Could you go to a place with me?" Allison asked as Kira was putting her notes in her bag.

"Okay... But where?" Kira replied with crooked eyebrows.

"A place that I've been to before."

Allison and Kira left the classroom and Kira followed Allison to the place that she wanted to go. Although Kira wanted to know where they were heading to, she still did not ask a thing. It was best not to be curious sometimes.

"Where are we?" Kira asked as Allison stopped in front of a park.

Allison did not say a word. She kept staring at something in the distance.

"Don't tell me you are looking at your ex's house."

"Yeah... It is..." Allison murmured.

"Why didn't you just find him and talk to him? You look like a creepy stalker now..." Kira questioned.

"That's why I'm here. I come to meet him."

"Okay... Then let's go and meet him then."

"Kira..." Right when Kira took her first step, Allison called her name.

"Hmm?"

"I think I should face it myself. I should not drag you into this... Thank you for being here for me." Allison mumbled.

"Okay... If you have anything, please call me. I'll be there as soon as possible. I'll wait for you in our dorm room."

"Bye." Allison smiled.

"Bye girl." Kira replied with a smile before she left.

"Okay..." Allison took a deep breath, "you can do this Allison."

She said under her breath to gather herself up. She was finally determined enough to take her first step and headed to her destination - Nathan's house.

She crossed the park and went to the road where Nathan's house was located.

'What if he isn't home... What should I say when he opens the door?' she thought to herself as she was walking towards Nathan's house, with her head down.

"Oh no!" someone shouted.

Allison raised her head and saw a lady drop all her groceries on the ground. She ran to the lady at once and helped her pick up her stuff.

"Ma'am, here's your bag of oranges." Allison said to the lady while handing her a plastic bag full of oranges.

"Allison?" the lady said with a surprised face.

"Mrs Henderson?" Allison said after realizing the lady in front of her was Nathan's mom.

"Oh my God! Long time no see! How have you been?" Mrs Henderson exclaimed with her wide eyes and mouth opened.

"I'm good Mrs Henderson. How are you doing?" Allison grinned.

"I'm good too! Why are you here? Didn't you move?"

"Oh. I came back a few months ago. My parents said-"

"Why don't we talk in my house instead? We're in the middle of a street." Mrs Henderson cut her off, "Are you free though?"

"Uhh... I'm free. I'm just wandering around." Allison answered.

"Okay! Then let's talk in my house. I need to catch up with you!" Mrs Henderson said and told Allison to follow her to her house.