"Dude, how are you still alive!" Roxanne exclaimed after I retold them the story in detail, down to my parents almost killing me when I got back.

Although they understood the situation, they were not very happy with me so I was on my own personal lockdown and could only go to school, my mom's dance studio and back home for the next two weeks.

"My mom was ready to murder me, and my dad wanted to lock me away in my room but once I explained everything, they eased up a little. Now they actually want to meet Haydn." I sighed, leaning against a tree outside our school.

We chose to sit outside on the grass instead of inside because once again we were a talking point of the school, mostly due to Haydn's sudden disappearance and reappearance but having everyone's eyes on me was too much for me to deal with. Thankfully my friends didn't mind, as long I told them every detail of the last few days.

"What are you doing to do?" Logan asked worriedly before she took a bite of her food and I shrugged.

"Haydn's coming over tonight for dinner." I shrugged with a small smile.

I was kind of nervous about it, but I knew if there was any hope, I'd get to see her over the next two weeks, or ever again, I'd have to do it. I just hoped they liked her, I'd never introduced my parents to anyone I'd been dating so Haydn would be the first, and if things went my way, she'd be the last.

"Don't worry Cris, they're going to love her." Roxanne smiled reassuringly before my attention turned to Jamal and Haydn walking towards us, after two days she was finally cleared by her therapist to come back to school and although she seemed a little uncomfortable with all the new attention, I was proud of her.

Jamal was dressed in his usual dark clothing while Haydn was obviously trying to remain incognito, but her beanie, hoodie, jeans combination just made her look attractive but then again, I was biased. Haydn's new look took a minute for me to get used to and although I wasn't the biggest fan of her hair, in the beginning, it didn't take me long to love it- I loved everything about her, especially the new piercing. She looked different but in a good way.

"Hey, guys." Jamal greeted as he joined our circle while Haydn walked straight to me, dropping her bag before she leaned down and pecked me. I savored the feeling of her lips on mine as she pulled away and as though reading her mind I moved forward and let her take my place against the tree before I leaned back against her I heard her softly sigh in relief- she must've been having a tough day.

"Awww, you guys are so cute it's gross." Blanca cooed and I rolled my eyes.

"It's okay Blanca, I'd also be jealous if you had a hot girlfriend and I didn't," Haydn replied with a smirk and Blanca huffed.

"You know, I think I liked you more when you barely spoke to us." Blanca joked and Roxanne laughed.

"It sounds like Haydn hit a nerve." She smiled.

"She may have hit a nerve, but it definitely wasn't any of mine," Blanca smirked as she looked at me. "What about you, Cris? Haydn hitting any of your nerves?" She said suggestively and I frowned.

"Don't be gross." I groaned out as a few more of Haydn and Jamal's friends walked towards our circle and I was grateful for the distraction as I turned to Haydn. "You okay?" I asked softly and she sighed deeply.

"Do you want to get out of here after this? The stares are getting a bit much." She whispered lowly in my ear, and I nodded as I reassuringly grabbed her hand.

"Do you want to go to the park?" I asked softly and she nodded before she softly kissed the side of my head, Jamal interrupting us.

"What are you two lovebirds whispering about?" Jamal asked and I repressed the urge to groan, between Blanca and Jamal, Haydn and I could barely look at each other without being called out.

"Probably about how Haydn's dick is bigger than yours," Tabitha replied for us, smirking before Blanca decided to add her two cents.

"You know what Tabs, I think I like you a whole lot more than Jamal."

"Tabs?" I whispered to Haydn, fighting a smile and she shrugged.

"I've learned not to get involved."

"Don't be mean Blanca," Logan added quietly.

"Of course, blondie over here has something to say, she and Jamal are a thing after all." Tabitha grinned as Logan blushed deeply.

"What?!" Roxanne, Blanca and I exclaimed at the same time and our friend just shrugged.

"It's a long story," Logan said as Jamal winked at her.

Well, that took a turn...

* * *

"Are you sure you're, okay?" I asked gently as I looked down at Haydn, we were lying in the back of her car in the parking of the park she took me to the last time, and she looked a lot calmer since we left.

"Yeah, I am now." She winked as she sat up to take off her hoodie and I rolled my eyes.

"I'm being serious," I murmured before she kissed me gently, my thoughts leaving my mind as I felt her tongue trace my lips before she pulled away.

"Me too. I'm okay now, I promise. Things were just starting to get overwhelming with the looks and the whispers and I couldn't deal with it all." She explained and I smiled gently, one outcome I wasn't expecting was that Haydn had become a lot more open with me- she had started to tell me what was on her mind more often.

"So will you still have the mental energy to come tonight?" I asked worriedly, the last thing I wanted to do was overwhelm her.

"To sit down at a table with you, your dad and your hot mom? I think I can handle it." She smirked and I rolled my eyes as she wrapped her arms around me. "It's going to be fine Cristina, the way I see it is that I have no other option but to make sure that they love me because I can't lose you." She murmured, her hands travelling up my waist as I felt my cheeks turn red.

"Okay." I grinned as she pulled me onto her, so I was straddling her lap.

"So how much time do we have until I have to take you back to school?" She whispered as she peppered wet kisses along my neck, and I felt my ability to form a coherent sentence leave my body.

"Enough," I whispered back as her hands disappeared under my shirt, my skin heating up under her touch before she kissed me passionately, my hands going straight to run my hands through her short hair.

I knew we wouldn't go any further than making out, but I didn't care, making out with Haydn was an experience within itself, she had an ability to rob me of my senses until the only thing I could focus on was the way she tasted, the way her skin felt electrifying against mine, the way her hands roamed my body- it was all so intoxicating.

My hands left her hair to run along her arms, her new tattoos still raised and rough under my touch but a certain outline made me holt in my movements before I pulled away, Haydn trying to follow me. I gently pushed her away as she frowned at me and grabbed her arm to inspect the tattoo I just felt and as soon as it clicked, my mouth went dry- it was a simple tattoo, but it made up for design in meaning. The simple-lined heart housed nothing but a single letter, a C, and I felt my jaw drop as I stared at it, tracing it with my finger to make sure it was real.

"Oh my god," I whispered lowly before I lifted my gaze to Haydn, my eyes asking her for an explanation.

"I was wondering when you'd find it." She smiled. "Bones gave it to me the second night I was there after I rejected every girl that tried to hit on me because none of them with you. I spent about two hours telling him about you, about how much I loved you and how I was so heartbroken because I'd never see you again so when we got back to his place, he gave me this- a way for me to keep you with me forever." She explained and I felt my heart swell at her words as I closed my eyes, shaking my head.

"You can't just do stuff like this and say things like that and expect me not to cry," I murmured as I felt her kiss my cheek.

"I don't know why you're so surprised, I already told you that I love you." She shrugged as though it was nothing.

"But I didn't know it was this much-" I smiled, I was really touched and borderline emotional from the tattoo.

"Cristina, baby, do you want me to get your name tatted over my heart to prove it?" She smiled, shaking me gently as I grinned. "Because I will, it belongs to you anyways." She shrugged and I leaned in to kiss her.

"I love you, so fucking much," I whispered against her lips, and I felt her smile into the kiss before we went back to what we were doing before I interrupted us.

It felt so good to be back with Haydn, just being in her space and in her arms, we didn't even have to say much, but all too soon I found myself sitting back in the front seat as she drove us back so I could get my car.

At home I found myself growing more anxious time went on, I was nervous about whether my parents would like Haydn, I was their only child which meant they had high expectations but then again, my happiness meant a lot to them. My parents, on the other hand, seemed excited to meet her, my mom had been cooking a full vegetarian meal in the kitchen since she got back from her studio while my dad moved from room to room straightening up. If only they knew Haydn had been over a few times while they weren't around...

"Cristina, why do you look so nervous?" My dad asked as I stared mindlessly at the tv, biting my lip as I waited for the doorbell to ring or to get a text saying she was outside.

"I just really want you guys to like her," I admitted sheepishly, and my dad grinned at me.

"Well, if you love her then I'm sure we will too." He said reassuringly and I felt slightly better but that feeling was quickly erased when I heard the doorbell ring.

"I'll get it!" I yelled as I shot up, quickly walking to the door before my mom could. I took a deep breath before I opened the door and couldn't help but smile when I saw Haydn standing outside with a bunch of white roses.

"Before you get too excited, these are for your mom." She explained as I took a moment to take her in. She looked almost boring in straight black jeans and a white sweatshirt as her hair fell onto her forehead.

"You look nice," I smirked, and she rolled her eyes.

"I look presentable." She pointed out before she handed me a single red rose as she quickly kissed me on the cheek, probably to show she didn't forget about me. I moved the side and invited her before I led her to where my parents were sitting casually in the kitchen.

"Mama, Pa. This is Haydn, my girlfriend, Haydn these are my parents." I smiled as I introduced them and when I saw my mom's eyes light up at the flowers, I knew Haydn was already in her good books.

"Hi Haydn, it's so nice to finally meet you," My mom smiled as she wrapped Haydn in a hug while my dad nodded his greeting.

"Thank you for having me over, it smells really good." Haydn smiled politely before my dad stood up.

"Would you excuse me for a few minutes, my wife has only just informed me that she drove all the way home with her check engine on and is insisting I check it right this moment." He sighed looking at my mom, disappointed.

My mom just shrugged with her reply, "I forgot." She said distractedly as she put her flowers in a vase but when her eyes met mine, I knew she had an ulterior motive- I mouthed her a quick 'thank you'.

"I can help if you'd like." Haydn offered my dad, a little nervously as my dad eyed her carefully.

"What do you know about cars?" He challenged her and I rolled my eyes as I replied.

"Haydn works part-time at Auto shop dad, I'm sure she knows a thing or two," I informed him, and I watched his hesitation turn into admiration.

"Really?! You work with cars? Tell me more about that." My dad directed at Haydn before he led her back to the garage, talking between them before they disappeared.

Huh, that was easier than I thought.

"I like her." My mom smiled, admiring her flowers and I breathed a sigh of relief. "You're still grounded though."

Damn.