"Yes, of course I will go to prom with you." Matthew turned to face Erin and kissed her gently on the lips. "I am sorry I failed to ask you first." Erin blushed at his sweet gesture. She wanted more, but Matt was already moving away. He tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. "I will make it up to you." He said simply. "I promise."
Ania who was in the back seat of the car was rolling her eyes. She just wanted to watch the bloody movie not watch these two being all kissy face and corny. She let out a small groan, not loud enough for anybody to hear maybe other than Matthew who was aware of her presence.
Erin didn't hear the groan, she could only hear her thumping heart. She grabbed his vest and pulled him in closer, screw it! Matt let himself be taken by her kiss and embrace. He was after all a willing participant. A strong heat filled his cheeks.
When she finally released him. Matt was flushed and Erin was grinning madly. "I think that was sufficient for making it up to me."
Matt was unsure of what to say so he said nothing and let the vixen in front of him lead the way.
When the movie ended he dropped Erin off at her house. Her parents were sitting outside and waved as they pulled up.
Matthew had met her parents a handful of times.
He recalled the first time in which they had invited him over to dinner and he had accepted. While the Octagon House was larger, this house was fancier not to mention more modern!
***
Matthew stepped into the house and had the instant feeling of when he had lived with his biological parents and sister. He let out a sigh, but that was a lifetime ago. Whenever he tried recalling his family he slowly forgot what they looked or even sounded like. If he were to run into them on the street he couldn't even be sure if he would be able to recognize them.
Matt turned his attention back to the house and he noticed the family pictures on the wall. A father, mother and three children; Erin was the oldest and she had two younger brothers. When he entered the house the two boys were playing with some time of foam guns he vaguely recalled playing with something similar when he was younger, nerf guns? They were laughing and having fun and he couldn't help but feel happy and a little pang of jealousy too. The mother was cooking dinner in her large gourmet kitchen ignoring the chaos going on around her. The father was siting in the living room watching television, college football? Matt watched Erin go an greet her dad with a small kiss on the cheek and her mother she waved and called out to.
What if? What if he was never attacked and his family was never murdered and their home never set on fire? What if...? He would be living just like this family. Matthew could only sigh. He didn't regret his ghost family, but that didn't mean he never thought of his biological family or what could have been.
Erin smiled at him her dazzling smile and reached for his hand. Erin took him on the tour and everything was so different to his current home. All of the modern convenience that Matthew had to do without after the desth of his family and his adoption by his ghost one. Matthew had let out a sigh.
Erin leaned over, "you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine just thinking."
"Don't be nervous, my parents are going to love you!" Erin said misunderstanding his sign and overall melancholic mood. "Besides, I personally think you dad er- papa is like way more scary!"
Matthew nodded trying to shake the feelings of longing for what he would never have again. "Sorry, just in my own head space. And, papa isn't scary... just strict."
Before Erin could speak to him further her mother called out, "Dinner is ready."
He sat next to Erin, pulling the chair out for her (as he always does). The father raised a brow and the mother pursed her lips. Matt didn't notice. The family was all seating and started to eat and Mrs. Dawson was moving back and forth between the table and kitchen getting drinks.
"Mrs. Dawson, do you need assistance?"
Mrs. Dawson looked at the boy and his offer appeared to be genuine. "Yes, that would be wonderful, thank you. If you could grab those two pitchers?"
Matt nodded and did as he was told, he waited until she was seated before taking his own seat.
His heart savoring the moment of eating with other live human beings. His thoughts were interrupted by Mr. Dawson, "So, Matt, tell us about your family."
Thus began the 'grilling' of her poor boyfriend thought Erin. She didn't even get grilled when she went over his house!
"Well sir, its just papa and I. Sometimes my cousins stay with us. Papa works at the farm across the street and its where I worked over the summer."
"So, Erin says you are living in the Octagon House?"
"Yes sir, papa inherited the house." The story was so easy to tell now.
"Hmm." The father was looking at the boy. He really couldn't find any fault with him. After several more questions the father seemed satisfied, he seemed like a good kid, albeit strange. "Well Matt, it is nice to meet you."
"You too Mr. Dawson."
Matt finished without a hitch. When he was getting in Erin's car so she could drop him off. He turned around and waved to her parents. "Thank you Mr. and Mrs. Dawson for inviting me into your house and your meal, thank you." He then opened the door for Erin and they drove off.
"You did good!" Erin said with a smile and glittering eyes. She reached over and grabbed and squeezed his hand, "Thanks."
***
Matt snapped out of his thoughts when Mrs. Dawson came over, "its good to see you and thank you for taking such good care of our girl! We never have to worry about her breaking curfew with you!"
Matt smiled, "Yes ma'am, I wouldn't dream of it."
Erin rolled her eyes and waved to him and he headed back home. Part of him wishing they had invited him in and he could feel the warmth of eating with a live-breathing family again.