When Thorne slows his car to a stop in my driveway, it's almost hard to believe that his car is in my driveway. If we were in the past right now, Thorne would be parking a few houses down the street, far enough away to keep himself hidden. Because back then, I'd assumed if my parents caught me with Thorne, they'd forbid me from seeing him.

Now, however, things are different. Thorne can park his car in my driveway because my parents and I have finally come to terms with each other. The past is in the past, and now I'm left looking forward to my future.

I turn to Thorne excitedly as I unbuckle my seat-belt, beaming at him. "Come on!" I exclaim, unable to restrain my smile. "I want to introduce you to my parents."

Thorne's expression goes slack. His green eyes widen, shining with disbelief. His mouth gapes open slightly, as if he's tempted to ask me if I've gone insane. A few seconds later, he's smiling. A real, genuine smile that makes him all the more handsome.

"Are you kidding?" Thorne questions, tilting his head to the side as he glances over at me.

"No." I shake my head, trying not to smile. "I'm being serious. I want you to meet my parents."

"Sunshine," Thorne starts, as if getting ready to remind me that him meeting my parents used to be one of my biggest nightmares.

"Thorne," I interrupt. "A lot of things have changed lately. I want us to change, too. I'm tired of keeping you a secret. I love you, and I want to be able to show that I love you. I'm not ashamed of you, and I've talked to my parents about all of this. I think it's time they meet you."

Thorne's expression softens as he glances at me, his green eyes gleaming. I can tell that my words have made him happy, resonated with him deeply. And I mean them. I want to be able to be with Thorne; really be with him. He's a big part of my life, as are my parents. I think it's finally time for my two worlds to collide and become one. I no longer want to live a double life and be the Mia my parents know, and also the Mia Thorne and my friends know. I just want to be Mia, the girl who has strict parents that are learning to accept change as time goes on, and the girl with the boyfriend who accepted her the moment they met.

"We're really doing this?" Thorne questions, grinning.

"We're really doing this," I confirm, a laugh escaping me. "You know, I don't think boyfriends are usually excited about meeting the parents."

"I guess I'm an exception," Thorne muses, tone low as he leans toward me. His statement goes with my former remark and our lives in general. Before Thorne, I'd been a completely different person—a person I wasn't really happy being. And then I'd made an exception, allowing this boy who is the complete opposite of me to enter my life.

It was the best exception I've ever made.

Thorne kisses me then, soft and slow and sweet. It's the kind of kiss that makes time feel like it stops, like it is only me and him, creating our own little world. When we pull away, we sit together in silence for a moment, simply reveling in the little time we're sharing now. It's the little things like this that remind me again and again how much I love this boy, how safe and loved he makes me feel.

When we finally exit the car, Thorne's hand finds mine as we walk up my driveway and toward the front door. It's hard to believe that this is actually happening, that my past is about to meet my future.

Thorne and I reach the porch, and we share a look as I lean into him to ring the doorbell, an action that makes Thorne smirk. Only moments later, the front door is thrown open to reveal my mother, and the sight of her next to Thorne has me feeling excited and anxious all at once.

"There you are!" Mom exclaims brightly as her gaze lands on me, a smile lighting up her features. "I was about to call you to see when you'd be home. And . . ." Mom trails off as she appraises Thorne, her expression unreadable. "You brought a boy."

I bite my lip, realizing that this night can go one of two ways: really wonderfully, or really horribly. I pray that it will be the former as I offer my mother a smile, my hand still in Thorne's.

"Well, don't just stand there!" Mom chides with a laugh, stepping aside from the door to allow me and Thorne in.

Thorne enters my house behind me, which is crazy. I mean, he's in my house. While my parents are home. And he didn't even sneak in! The thought makes me smile to myself, knowing that things are changing, and for the better.

My father sits in the living room, reading a book. When he notices Thorne, he rises, setting the book down and glaring at my boyfriend. Thorne visibly swallows hard, which I find sweet. I mean he's afraid of my dad. Thorne. Afraid of my dad.

Dad enters the foyer, standing next to my mother. I realize it's time for the introductions, so I clear my throat, smiling at both parties next to me.

"Mom, Dad," I say softly, beaming at my parents. "This is my boyfriend, Thorne. Thorne, these are my parents."

"It's nice to finally meet you," Mom murmurs, gazing at Thorne with a polite smile. I'm so grateful that my parents are actually trying, just as they promised they would. I know it's hard for them to accept that I'm growing up, and that I'm dating someone like Thorne Baxter, but they're at least trying to get to know him before declaring him off-limits. That's all I've ever wanted from them.

"And you as well, Mrs. McHenry," Thorne says from his place next to me, a crooked grin on his lips. I have to suppress my own smile as I shake my head lightly, knowing that Thorne can be quite the charmer when he wants to be.

As if proving my point, the gleam in my mother's eyes softens as her smile morphs into a more genuine grin. "Please," Mom says, "call me Madison."

My gaze falls on my father, who is still glaring at Thorne with his lips wilted into a frown. I'm starting to feel nervous, knowing that it's my father who is the hardest to please between the two of my parents.

Finally, my dad extends a hand to Thorne, though his rough exterior doesn't fade.

"I'm Andrew," Dad says gruffly, eyes on Thorne's as they shake hands. "You can call me Mr. McHenry."

I notice Thorne wince slightly as he brings his hand back to his side, which makes me wonder what my father is playing at here. Then Thorne nods his head, looking just a little bit nervous as he mutters, "Um, yes sir."

It also makes me happy to know that Thorne is trying, too. I mean, he's clearly a little uncomfortable, despite his excitement in the car, and yet he's still by my side, being polite as he introduces himself to my parents. My parents and Thorne, the people I love, are doing all of this for me, because they love me as well. The thought makes me smile.

Dad suddenly takes a step forward, resting a hand on Thorne's shoulder casually, as if they're old buddies.

"Let's have a talk, son," Dad mutters to Thorne, his grin almost wicked. "Just you and me."

"Uh, y-yes sir," Thorne stutters, glancing at me in fear. I have to try hard not to laugh, but it's just too surreal to believe that Thorne Baxter is afraid of my father. I mean, Thorne could probably take my dad. Easily. And yet here we are.

A few moments later, my dad and Thorne disappear down the hallway and into my father's study. It's weird to think that my father and Thorne are actually together right now, in my house, talking to each other. Only weeks ago, that was one of my biggest fears. It's funny how fast things change.

I turn to my mother, who is walking toward the kitchen. I follow her, finding that she's begun to prepare dinner. Wordlessly, I start helping her out by setting the table, striking conversation as I do so.

"What do you think they're talking about?" I question my mother, glancing up at her from where she stands behind the counter.

"You," Mom teases whilst sounding very serious at the same time, a smile on her lips. "What do you think?"

I roll my eyes, noting that this feels nice. I can't remember the last time my mother and I had a conversation that was playful. It feels good to know that we're past the point of having to be constantly serious with each other, that we're finally moving on. Sometimes, change can be a good thing.

"Thorne seems like a nice boy." Mom's voice brings me out of my thoughts, and I look up to find her smiling almost regretfully. "He was very polite. I guess I owe you an apology."

"Mom," I start, wanting to tell her that she doesn't owe me anything. The past is in the past. All that matters to me is the present and the future, and that we all put in an effort to make the future better.

"No, it's okay, Mia," Mom cuts me off. "I do. It's hard for a mother to admit that she was wrong, but . . . I was. I judged Thorne before I even met him, and then I choose to go by my own judgments. I should have given him a chance first, I suppose. I hope . . . I hope that you can forgive me."

"Of course I forgive you, Mom," I assure her, walking toward where she stands. "All that matters to me is that you and Dad are trying tonight. That's all I've ever wanted for you to give Thorne, a chance. And we'll see where things go from there."

Mom nods, though she still looks a little guilty. I take another step forward, wrapping my arms around my mother's frame and holding her close. I believe that I will never be too old to crave a hug from my mother, that there will never come a day that I don't want her by my side. At heart, I'm really just a child, I suppose.

"I love you, Mom," I murmur into her dark hair.

"I love you more," Mom whispers back, running a hand soothingly down my wavy hair.

When we pull back, Mom goes back to cutting cucumbers and tossing them into a salad bowl, though I notice the rueful grin on her lips. "I see why you like that boy so much."

I raise my eyebrows at that, offering my mother a playful smile as I question, "What do you mean?"

"He's very good-looking," Mom teases with a grin, sharing my smile.

And in this moment, I'm the happiest I've been in a long time.

★★★

The night passes quickly, much to my dismay.

Thorne stays over for dinner, an event I never thought I'd live through. Although he sits next to me, my father makes it a point to remind Thorne that his chair must be three inches away from mine at all times, and he also tells Thorne his hands better remain atop the table if he wants to keep them.

My parents make small talk with Thorne throughout dinner, getting to know him a little bit better. He tells them about school, his plans for the future (he looks at me then and smiles as he answers, saying he's been thinking about joining the community college in the fall), and other little things. Eventually, the conversations become deeper, and Thorne even mentions a little about his mother and his father, which I know is hard for him. He's opening up to my parents for my sake, I realize, and I don't think he'll ever know how much that means to me.

When dinner is over, my dad declares (loudly and in front of Thorne) that no boys are allowed in my room before walking into the living room, which is the room next to the kitchen, where he pointedly stares at Thorne and I with no shame.

Thorne just turns to me with a smile that reads: Imagine if he knew I've already been in your room. Twice.

I just roll my eyes and shove Thorne's shoulder, which makes him laugh. So then Thorne and I sit at the table for a little while, talking amongst ourselves like we would if my father weren't in the next room watching us.

The hours pass, and before I know it, it's already ten. Thorne and I are in the middle of a pretty heated round of Uno when I realize this, however, and I'm so close to winning I could not possibly care less.

"Take that!" Thorne smirks as he sets down a draw four card, eyes dancing as they meet mine.

"You're cruel." I shake my head as I reach for the deck, adding four cards to my measly two.

"You don't mean that, Sunshine," Thorne mutters in a low tone, his voice husky. The look he gives me makes me bite my lip, our gazes locking instantly.

And suddenly, my father is in the room, totally ruining the moment.

"It's late," Dad notes, casually glancing at his watch as if he hasn't been keeping track of the minutes that have passed since Thorne first entered our house. "You should probably tell your boyfriend good night now, Mia."

I roll my eyes, though I know there's no point in testing my father tonight. He's already been giving enough as it is, allowing Thorne to stay as long as he as, and permitting him to enter our home at all. I know that if I want Thorne's relationship with my parents to last, I have to treat it carefully.

I suppose that's why I obey, rising from my kitchen chair in time with Thorne. I lead my boyfriend into the foyer, standing with him as I wait for my dad to walk off so we can say our goodbyes.

Only, Dad doesn't seem to have the same idea.

"Okay, Dad." I stand in front of Thorne, waiting for my dad to take the hint and leave the room, as my mom already has. Only, Dad just sits back down on the couch in the living room, right across from the foyer, reaching for his book. It's clear Dad has no intention of leaving Thorne and I unsupervised for even a second tonight, which is slightly annoying.

"Okay, then," I mutter under my breath, giving Thorne an apologetic smile. "Thanks, you know, for tonight." I mean the words, as tonight has already become one of the best I've ever had. Getting to have Thorne meet my parents and have things run smoothly was a dream come true, and Thorne has made me happier then he'll ever know.

"Of course, Sunshine," Thorne mutters, taking my hand in his. "Any time." He smiles at me softly, hand warm in my own.

"I guess this is goodnight," I mutter, sideways glancing at my dad.

"Sleep tight, Sunshine," Thorne says playfully, taking a step closer to me. As he leans in for a kiss, the sound of an air-horn bleats through the air, startling us both. Thorne and I both jump, turning to the direction of the sound and finding my father glaring at us, air-horn in hand.

"That's close enough, boy," Dad grumbles, eyes narrowed at Thorne. Where the air-horn even came from, I have no idea. All I know is that I'll probably have hearing damage for the rest of my life. Thorne, looking a little shaken, leans in to kiss my cheek instead. My dad blares the air-horn again, making us both flinch. Thorne pulls away from me, kissing my forehead for the smallest of seconds before taking an entire step away from me, removing himself entirely.

I shouldn't think this is funny, but it's all too hard to contain my laughter. Thorne does not look amused at all, however. He looks rather frightened, which is almost funny considering he was literally just in jail. You'd think it take a little more than my dad and an air-horn to startle him.

"Goodbye, Thorne," my mother says as she passes through the room, shooting Thorne a kind smile. "It was so nice to meet you."

"It was nice to meet you too, Mrs. McHenry." Thorne shoots my mother a smile, disregarding her call me Madison request. Thorne promptly turns to face my father, offering him a slight nod. "You too, Mr. McHenry."

My father simply grunts in response.

I walk with Thorne to the front door, which is thankfully obstructed from my father's vision, though I wouldn't be surprised if he had binoculars or something of the sort to help him see. I open the front door for Thorne, watching as he takes a step out and onto the front porch.

"Goodnight," I tell him softly, the night air rippling between us.

"Goodnight, Sunshine," Thorne responds, shooting me a knee-weakening grin. "I had fun tonight."

"Me too." And I mean it. Tonight was, in a word, perfect.

It's even more so when Thorne leans forward and captures me in a blissful kiss, his hands cupping my cheeks in his grip as he does so. I'm so grateful for the door that I lean against, as it is the only thing keeping my father from seeing this moment between Thorne and I and blaring that stupid air-horn again.

"We should do it again sometime," Thorne whispers against my skin when he pulls away, planting one last kiss on my cheek before tearing away entirely. I offer him one last wave as he walks off toward his car, watching as he backs out of my driveway and takes off down the street in a vision of disappearing headlights.

As I watch him go, somehow I know that meeting him was the best thing that ever happened to me.

With Thorne in my life, I am simply better off.

✧ ✧ ✧

: i hope everyone's new year is off to a great start! 💞