Blue was giddy as well as excited. She tried to calm her wreaking nerves, reminding herself that Hanson's parents would love her. She took one deep breath and pressed the doorbell situated at the upper side of the door.
An older lady opened it. Her eyes lit up when she saw Blue standing at the entrance of the door. Blue was dressed in an emerald gown. Two tiny studs of glassy earrings were in her ears. Her brown hair was let down. Freya had warned her over time that a smile should always be planted on her face.
"Good afternoon, Mrs Hills." Blue greeted warmly with a smile.
"You must be ... Blue. Am I correct?" One of her brows rose inquisitively.
"Yes, you are," Blue answered her.
"Do come in," she paused as she gave way for Blue to come in. Blue stepped in nervously, glancing around the parlor. No one was in sight.
"Your dress looks lovely." Rachael complimented her.
"Thank you. I...brought you something." She stretched out a small package wrapped with a decorative parcel.
Rachael received it, looked down at it then back at her. "That's so thoughtful of you," she paused. "Everyone will be out soon. Hanson is helping me with the dishes while Jason is with the guy at the wine store which is in the basement." She explained.
Blue smiled as she followed Mrs Hills to the kitchen. Hanson's eyes glowed when he saw Blue. "Babe! You're here already." He called out, wiped his hands, and rushed to embrace her.
"The earlier the better." She tried desperately to remain calm.
"Mum, meet Blue Nane, my girlfriend. Look how lovely she is." Hanson couldn't stop himself from smiling as he allowed himself to grip her hand.
"Blue Nane. You are welcome." Rachael smiled back. "I'm sorry that you had to meet us still in the kitchen."
"No, that's fine, Mrs Hills," Blue said.
"Please, call me, Rachael. You are family." She laughed, then gave the present which was given to her by Blue to Hanson. "She brought this for me, kindly place it in my room." She told Hanson.
Hanson shot her a surprised look then looked back at his girlfriend. "You didn't care to bring mine too?"
Blue laughed nervously at that.
"That covers it, Hanson. Don't be such a hassle." Rachael said to Hanson.
******
Later, Blue got to meet Jared, Hanson's father. He was hesitant at first in welcoming Blue. She looked different, not the usual girl that Hanson had previously dated in the time past. Jason didn't warm up to her, he was distant. He didn't care to greet or even look at her. Blue felt slightly at ease, at least Jason wouldn't care to bully her in front of his parents.
They all say around the table eating fried chicken and rice. Jared had to look at Blue again as Hanson helped her with some sauce.
"Blue Nane?" Jared started.
Blue looked up at him. She was beside Hanson while Jason sat at the opposite side of the table. Jared sat at the edge of the table as he was the head.
"That's a strange name. Why were you named after a color?" Jared asked her.
Blue smiled when she heard that. "My mother said when I was born, both my hands and feet were blue. I didn't cry at first, they thought I had kicked the bucket. A slap on my buttocks brought me back to life. When I opened my eyes, they were blue." She explained.
"That's interesting." Rachael put in.
"But you have brown eyes," Rachael added.
"It turned out so. My mother believed that Blue signified a miracle. She called me a miracle baby." Blue explained further.
Jason laughed at that. "But I find it odd that she should be named after a color," Jason added, eying Blue.
"There's a story behind every name, Jason." Hanson put in.
"And since when did you become a psychologist?" Jason asked.
Hanson chuckled at that.
"What does your dad do for a living?" Jared asked, biting down on a chicken's leg.
Blue looked at Hanson. She was surprised that Hanson hadn't talked briefly to them about her. "My dad was an electrician."
"Was? I'm so sorry about that." Rachael apologized.
"No, it's fine, Mrs Hills. It's been two years gone already." Blue waved it off.
"What about your mum? What does she do?" Rachael asked.
"My mother works in the local district back at Olive as a nurse....,"
"A nurse?" Jared looked back at Hanson. "In the local district?"
Hanson looked away. Blue noticed. Had she said something wrong?
"Which hospital is that?" Rachael questioned.
"Olive Medical Hospital." She answered to which Rachael nodded.
"How then did you get into Greenville High School?" Jared asked as he wiped his mouth.
"I...my aunt works there. Danielle Nane, she's my aunt."
"Oh, I see." Jared nodded as he looked back at his son.
Hanson gave a weak smile, looking away. Blue was careful now. Maybe, she was eating rapidly for Mr Hills to be staring at Hanson that way.
"Hanson, what about Jessica?" Jared smiled abruptly.
Hanson looked up at his father. "Jessica? Who's she?" Hanson asked.
"The girl you told me about. Reynolds's daughter. You met them at my club, remember?" Jared asked.
"I don't....seem...to recall." Hanson was looking nervously at Blue. Why were they bringing that up in her presence?
"The dark-haired girl. She had quite long, and lovely hair. Her mother owns a massive cosmetics mall. Her father is an inventor of Bently cars. You guys had it going at one time, what happened?" Rachael asked with a beautiful smile.
Blue swallowed quite painfully. Why were they bringing up another girl's name in her presence? She could barely bring herself to eat the rest of her chicken.
Jason was watching her. He smirked to himself, stood up, and excused himself from the table.
"That was...a long time ago.. mother. We had broken up ages ago." Hanson laughed nervously.
"Why? She was such a sweet girl. Vibrant spirit and an aura that compels one to look twice." Rachael ranted on.
They were purposely doing this, trying to hurt her, trying to push her out....like she wasn't there with them. Tears were forming at the corners of Blue's eyes. What was she doing here? She asked herself for the umpteenth time.
"You should try to call her. You know how loving their family is towards us. I could recall our last celebration together. It was memorable." Jared smiled.
"I admit to that. Try to get back with Jessica." Rachael added.
Hanson was thoroughly uncomfortable, he clammed a hand against his temple after glancing a million times at Blue.
Blue picked herself up. All eyes turned to look at her. "May I be allowed to use the restroom?" She managed a smile.
"Sure, it's down on your left." Rachael directed her.
Hanson watched her excused herself.
*******
Blue knew within her that she didn't want to use the restroom. She found herself racing out of the house, into the open air. Hot, burning tears ran down the paths of her cheeks. What was she doing here? She was trying too hard to fit into Hanson's life. His parents would never accept a girl like her. Her parents were not rich like Hanson's parents. Who was she fooling? Her legs took flight again, running to only God knows where until she collided with Jason.
"Watch where you are going?" He pushed her.
"You are the one standing in my way!" She told him as the tears continued to flow.
"Why would I be standing in your way? Am I that blind?" He asked.
She bit her lower lip, unable to hold it in anymore, she moved closer to his face and said. "I hate you, I hate you rich folks. And I hate you with such an intensity that it could consume you." She said.
Jason watched her calmly. He was only an inch taller than her. He gasped and pushed himself backward as he rolled his eyes.
"Who fucking cares about that? You should know your place and stick to it." He ranted on.
"You are just a proud snob who hates his life." She fired into his face.
"And what are you? A girl begging for attention."
She pushed at his chest with all embittered fury embedded within her. Her fists pounded on his chest as she continued to cry. He pulled her hands and grabbed them, trying to avoid her jabbering punches.
"Let me go!" She cried.
Without thinking he pulled her in, her body pressed into his while his hands circled her. He leaned in and captured her lips fiercely. His lips nibbled hers softly, pushing them apart to create an entrance.
Blue froze.
Her eyes were strangely opened. Was was happening here? What was happening here? Her head screamed. She pushed him roughly and he staggered. She looked back at his face wanting to see the emotions written there.