Oh, Dakota

18- Amazed

“No.”

“Yes.”

“No.” I rebutted stubbornly.

“Dakota, please?” Todd whined over the phone.

I shook my head even though he couldn’t see me, and continued to stand my ground on the matter. “I don’t want to. We’ve only been dating for not even a week, you know.”

“It won't be that painful, I promise,” He pleaded.

“No, I think we should wait a little longer,” I sighed.

“I know but my mom won’t shut up about it and it’s seriously driving me crazy right now-“ He paused and I could hear his mom saying something in the background. “I know, Ma,” He sighed, obviously talking to his mom. “Okay, I’ll tell her.”

“Todd,” I sighed heavily. “I don’t want to have dinner with your parents. I’ve met them before!”

“Yes, but not as my girlfriend,” He reminded me in exasperation. “Please? My mom said that she’ll make green bean casserole.”

“But I love green bean casserole!” I wailed, realizing that he and his mother were bribing me with food, which is really such a despicable thing to do. Since sophomore year, after I came back from rehab, I’ll admit that I never really ate as much as I should eat. I mean, I ate enough, but just not as much as the average person, I guess. But now that I was dating Todd- I don’t know, I just kinda feel better about myself, you know? I just feel like I’m enough the way I am so I don’t need to like, not eat because Todd already likes me for me and that sounded so elementary, but it’s true.

“I know,” He laughed, bringing me back to the conversation. “So is that a yes?”

I groaned because I knew that his mom made really good green bean casserole and it was nearly impossible to pass up. “You’re a really awful person, I hope you know that.”

He laughed again. “I can live with it. So I’ll see you at seven then? I’ll even pick you up or something.”

“You don’t have to pick me up, I live like, down the block from you, dummy. But sure, seven o’clock, and that casserole better be delicious.”

“It’ll be the best, I promise. What are you doing right now?” He changed the subject randomly and very un-subtly.

“I’m about to start studying with Braeden, since he’ll be over pretty soon,” I explained with a long sigh.

“How many times do you have to study with him?” Todd puffed.

I giggled and started to spin around in my desk chair. “Until the projects over, Todd. You really do get jealous easily, you know.”

He scoffed, which made me giggle just a little bit more. “I’m not jealous, babe, I’d just rather you hang out with me than him.”

“That’s literally the definition of jealousy,” I chimed teasingly.

“I’m not jealous,” He defended again. “Anyway, I guess I won’t come over then.”

“You can if you want, I guess,” I informed him.

“No thanks,” Todd chuckled. “Hearing you and Dunce screaming body parts at each other isn’t exactly appealing.”

“But it’s a great way to learn anatomy,” I sang giddily.

“But I don’t even take anatomy,” He sang back, mimicking me.

“You’re missing out,” I laughed. “It’s the perfect Sunday afternoon activity.”