Standing by the front door were two strangers.
One was a woman—mid-forties maybe, soft brown hair pulled into a low bun, dressed in a light cardigan and slacks. She looked warm. Approachable. The kind of person who probably baked cookies and asked how your day was and actually listened to the answer.
The man beside her, however—
Jesus Christ.
He was tall. Broad-shouldered. Built like someone who had wrestled bears for fun and won. His salt-and-pepper hair was cut short, his posture straight enough to qualify as a military weapon. He wore a plain button-up shirt tucked into slacks, arms crossed, eyes sharp and observant like he was silently judging the structural integrity of the house.
That has to be Adam's dad.
Kara swallowed.
Abort mission. Abort mission!
She turned slowly, silently, attempting to creep back upstairs—
"Kara?"
Adam's voice.
From behind her.
She flinched so hard she almost tripped.
He stood at the top of the stairs, hoodie slung over one shoulder, eyebrows knitting together.
"Why are you crouching like a goblin?"
Her eyes went wide. "YOUR PARENTS ARE HERE."
"…Yeah?"
"YOU DIDN'T TELL ME."
He blinked. "I didn't know they'd be home this early."
She stared at him like she was contemplating murder. "Adam. I am wearing socks with ducks on them."
He glanced down. "Those are cute."
"THIS IS NOT A CUTE SITUATION."
Down below, footsteps paused.
Adam's mom looked up first.
"Oh!" she called warmly. "Hello?"
Kara made a noise that could only be described as a strangled soul leaving the mortal plane.
Adam grinned. "Too late now."
He grabbed Kara's wrist—not tight, just grounding—and gently tugged her forward.
"Come on."
"I hate you," she hissed.
"I know."
They descended the stairs together, Kara moving like she was walking to her execution.
The woman's face immediately lit up when she saw her.
"Oh! You must be Kara."
Kara blinked. They know my name.
"Yes ma'am," she said automatically, standing up straighter than she ever had in her life. "I mean—yes. Hi. Hello. I'm Kara."
The woman smiled wider. "I'm Elena. Adam's mother."
Elena reached out, pulling Kara into a gentle hug before she could react.
Kara stiffened for exactly half a second before melting.
What...is this strange feeling...?
She smelled like clean laundry and lavender.
"I've heard so much about you," Elena said, pulling back but keeping her hands on Kara's shoulders, eyes scanning her face kindly. "It's lovely to finally meet you."
Kara's brain scrambled. "I—uh—thank you. You too. I mean—lovely to meet you too. I mean—shit, sorry—"
Elena laughed. A soft, genuine laugh. "You're adorable."
K part one: Survive the mom. Check.
K part two: Survive the dad. Working on it.
Kara turned slowly.
Richard was watching her.
Not glaring. Not scowling.
Assessing.
Like she was a math problem he was trying to solve without a calculator.
Adam cleared his throat. "Dad. This is Kara. My friend."
Friend.
Kara resisted the urge to scream.
Richard nodded once. "Richard."
"That's it?" Kara blurted before she could stop herself. "Just—Richard?"
Adam winced. Elena covered her mouth, amused.
Richard raised an eyebrow. "…Yes."
Kara coughed. "Right. Sorry. Uh. Nice to meet you, sir."
He studied her for another long second.
Then extended his hand.
She shook it immediately. His grip was firm but not crushing. Solid. Like a man who believed in handshakes and consequences.
"You look me in the eye," Richard said.
Kara did.
"Good," he continued. "Means you're honest. Or brave. Either way, I respect it."
Adam stared. Elena smiled proudly.
Kara blinked. "Uh. Thanks?"
Richard nodded. "You're welcome."
There was an awkward silence.
Alfred cleared his throat. "Shall I bring refreshments?"
"Yes, please," Elena said warmly. "Tea for me, coffee for Richard."
"Black," Richard added.
Who the fuck drinks black coffee?
Alfred turned. "And for Miss Kara?"
Kara panicked. "Uh—water is fine. I don't want to be a bother."
Elena waved a hand. "Nonsense. You're a guest."
Richard hummed. "A polite one."
They moved into the living room, Kara perching on the edge of the couch like she might get ejected at any moment. Adam dropped beside her, way too relaxed.
"So," Elena said pleasantly, sitting across from them. "Adam tells me you help him with his studies."
Kara nodded. "Yeah. Math mostly. He's… not great at it."
Adam scoffed. "Rude."
Richard crossed his arms. "Football player struggling with math. Shocking."
Adam groaned. "Dad."
Richard ignored him, looking back at Kara. "And you?"
"I like numbers, sometimes atleast." Kara said simply. "They make sense. People don't."
Elena smiled softly. "That's very true."
Richard studied her again. "What do you plan to do after graduation?"
Kara hesitated. She hated this question.
But she answered honestly. "University. Uhm, Something stable. Im saving up with my pay from my part-time job."
Richard's eyes flicked with interest. "Good."
Adam blinked. "That's it? No interrogation?"
Richard shrugged. "She has a plan. She's not lazy. And she doesn't dress like she's advertising herself."
Elena shot him a look. "Richard."
"What?" he said. "I respect women who respect themselves."
Kara snorted before she could stop herself.
Both parents looked at her.
She froze. "Sorry. That just—came out."
Richard stared.
Then, unexpectedly, he chuckled.
A low, brief sound. "You've got bite."
Adam's jaw dropped.
Elena laughed. "She really does. Though she is a little shy...how cute."
Richard nodded once more. "Adam could use that."
Adam sputtered. "HEY."
Elena leaned forward, eyes gentle. "You're welcome here anytime, Kara."
Kara's chest tightened.
"Thank you," she said quietly. "That means a lot."
Richard stood. "Adam. Drive her home when she leaves. It's dark."
Adam nodded immediately. "Yes, sir."
Richard paused, then looked at Kara again.
"You take care of yourself. And don't let this idiot drag you down."
Kara smiled—small, real. "I won't."
Adam muttered, "Wow. Betrayal."
Elena laughed as Alfred returned with drinks.
"Well, drink up. You need to keep hydrated Kara."
"Uh, yes!"
Kara picked up the glass of water and sipped it. Her body tense and face hot. A bead of sweat ran down her head As she held the porcelain glass cup in her hands filled with dihydrogen monoxide.
Yah. I'm gonna go home before I'm interrogated by Mr. Macho-man over there.
Kara said to herself while glancing at the Richard who was calmly resting his hand on Elena's arm while narrowing his gaze at her.