Page 57 of The Romance Rivalry

My mental checklist is all over the place.

It’s Parents Day and my mom and dad should be here any minute, but I still feel like I have a shit ton to do to make it perfect for when my folks get here. They have to see how great life is for me at Brighton. I am a Successful College Student. Something to define me in their eyes. Which means I’ve had to get a lot of smoke and mirrors in place.

There’s also the very huge distraction of Aiden Jeon taking up much of the space in my brain right now. I’ve replayed the kiss in my head over and over, as well as rewound the bits leading up to it again and again. The conclusion? Ask me again in ten minutes, and my answer will likely be different. But for now, he’s no longer in the Enemies category. He’s still got one foot in the Rivals camp. And as far as Lovers go? My entire body shivers.

I shake my head to try to jostle all these thoughts free and push them to the back—I have more important things to do right now.

I tug at the sheet at the corner of my mattress once more, tucking it under to make sure that it’s just perfect. I stand up and examine my work and decide to give it one last tug.

“Are you sure you don’t come from a military family?” my adorable roommate asks me.

“I just need the room to look perfect.” I look over at her bed, yet to be made, and frown. “Don’t you have to use the restroom or something?” I ask.

“You’re thinking of making my bed while I’m gone, aren’t you?” Jeannette looks at me with an expression akin to horror at just how meticulous I’m being. “But your parents don’t care about my bed. I don’t even think they care about your bed. So what’s the big deal?”

I’ve already been a nervous ball of energy for weeks leading up to today. But after my FaceTime with them last week, I’m almost afraid to see my parents. Like they’ll be able to read on my face every untruth I’ve told them.

It’s the first time my parents are coming to visit me since the day I moved in, filled with hope and expectations of what my experience in college would be. And now, a couple months later, here I am, struggling with my classes. I’m not in any clubs—I’ve been so busy with the plan that I haven’t even been back to book club. And I’m still, technically,without a boyfriend, at least officially. More like in a situationship. I’ve got one new best friend, more than I’ve had since high school. At least there’s that. “I just don’t wanna be a disappointment,” I whisper.

“That’s impossible. Your parents love you,” Jeannette reminds me. Things are so simple for her. Her family is filled with joy and laughter. Her dad and her brothers call her all the time. She works her ass off so that she can accomplish what they as a group have determined. I, however, am the middle child who hasn’t really done anything and has continued to try to impress my parents by doing all the things they want from me... and failing.

“Oh shit, I forgot to go and get the sparkling water to fill the fridge. My mom really likes that stuff.” I change the subject in my own head.

“Irene, we can all go down to the cafeteria together and get it. Your dad will love going to visit the cafeteria. Just relax, sit down. They’ll be here any minute...”

And right on time comes a knock at the door.

“Hello?” My mom’s smiling face peeks in with my dad standing right behind her.

“Irene, it’s so good to see you. Look at you, honey. Did you gain a little weight?” my mom asks. She loves me. She does this. It’s a Korean thing.

“Mom, at least I haven’t gained the freshman fifteen. There’s that,” I say.

She laughs and throws her arms around me. “Oh, we’ve missed you so much.”

“How’s my Brighton girl?” my dad asks as he walks into the room, stiffly wrapping an arm around my shoulders and doing the requisite three pats. He’s never been a very good hugger. Part of his charm. “And Jeannette, it’s good to see you again.”

“Hello, Mr. Park. So good to see you, too.”

“Your dad isn’t here yet?”

“No, he’s gonna be a little bit late. There was traffic on the way,” she explains.

“Yes, we did a roundabout. I know this area like the back of my hand, so I know all the shortcuts.” There’s Dad again. Livin’ those glory days of when he was at Brighton.

“So what’s the first thing on the agenda here for Parents Day?” Mom asks.

“Uh, we’re gonna have to all go into the lecture hall and do a mock orientation for you guys, and then you’ll be separated into some groups without us kids to take a tour,” I explain.

“Mr. Park, you could probably give the tour yourself,” Jeannette says.

“Hell yeah, I could, Jeannette. Good call. Should I ask them if I can replace the tour guide?” he says eagerly.

“Dad, just relax and enjoy yourself with the other parents, please,” I beg. I do not want my parents drawing attention to me this weekend. I don’t need anyone coming over andslipping truths about my life here to them.

Mom grabs my hand and pulls me over to my desk, pretending to be very interested in the pencil collection. She leans in and whispers, “So, are there any special someones we should be meeting? And maybe other parents of special someones?”

I stiffen and immediately remind myself to relax. Mom is like a hawk, catching every clue if she’s on alert that I’m hiding something. Last thing I need is for her to pick at a loose strand and have my entire facade of college life unfurl.

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