Barry's dad shook her hand first, giving her something resembling a smile. "Pleasure to meet you too, I'm Ray." Barry had tensed up, watching the exchange and breathing the tiniest sigh of relief when everything went well. His mother shook next. "Margaret," she introduced herself, waving a hand towards the living room. "Coffee?"
One-On-One (Closed)
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"Coffee would be great, thank you," Kasey said, the ever-present polite smile unwavering. She could handle herself, like she'd told Barry.
They sat down on the couch around a coffee table, Barry's mother pouring a mug for each of them. "So, Kasey, tell us a bit about yourself," she prompted, handing Kasey her drink. Barry's father was watching her carefully, clearly ready to judge anything she did. Barry shot him a warning look.
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Kasey held her drink in both hands and thought for a moment before she spoke.
"I am a junior in college and plan to graduate next year. I'm majoring in Computer Engineering, and I may continue to study it to get a higher degree after next year," she started, explaining the basics before she sipped on the coffee, careful not to burn her tongue.
Ray Lawrence's eyes brightened slightly, and Barry could tell what he was thinking. Yes, dad, she's smart, he wanted to snap, but held his tongue. "Interesting," Margaret replied. "When did you and Barry meet, exactly?"
(is a two years ago okay?)
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(Yeah, that's good!)
"It was about… two years ago, I think. Does that sound right Barry?" Kasey asked, turning to him for confirmation.
Barry nodded. "Yeah, that sounds about right. Our rooms are in the same hallway," he told his parents, earning a nod from his father.
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"Barry was just passing by to go to his room, I believe, while I was trying to find my keys. They'd fallen to the bottom of my backpack, and I was looking in my purse instead of in there. He suggested that I should look in my backpack and I soon found them," Kasey explained, smiling over at him fondly at the memory.
A smile found its way to Barry's lips as well, even in the tenseness of the situation. "Yeah."
Margaret pursed her lips slightly. "I see. What's your last name, dear?"
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"It's Taylor, ma'am," Kasey answered, her gaze moving back to Barry's mother. "I have a brother named Harper Taylor."
Margaret brows drew together. "Where have I heard that name from? It sounds familiar…"
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"I'm not sure where you could have heard it. Unless it was in the obituary," Kasey stated, chewing on her lip. She really did t want them to ask why her name would have been in the obituaries. She hadn't even had a chance to talk to Barry about that yet.
Barry's head turned sideways quickly, eyes finding hers. What?? His hand found hers as well, squeezing lightly. Both his parents seemed at a loss for words. "Oh– I– I'm sorry for your loss."
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Kasey gave Barry a small smile and squeezed his hand back gratefully. "It was a while ago, but thank you anyway."
All three Lawrences swallowed in unison. Ray was the first to recover. "Where are you from?"
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"Just the next town over from the university, actually. That was one of the reasons I chose this school," Kasey said, pasting on her polite smile once more.
“Interesting,” his mother repeated. “Any interests? Hobbies?”
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"Well, I'm very interested in computers and technology, as you may have guessed from my major," Kasey said with a slight chuckle. "Otherwise, I read quite a bit. And I draw the occasional picture, though I can't say I'm very good."
“Interesting,” she repeated a third time. The atmosphere was growing tense again. Then, Ray spoke up. “Any… Powers? You must know about Barry’s, weather and tattoos and whatnot.” Barry shot him a second warning glance. Way to go for the passive agreessibe question, Dad.
(Is it okay if she knows about all his powers?)
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(Yeah, sure.)
"O-oh. Um. Nothing special, really," Kasey said, brushing the question off with a shrug.
Barry pinned both his parents down with a ‘look’. “That doesn’t matter though, powers don’t matter.”
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Kasey looked over at Barry and raised an eyebrow. She squeezed his hand again. "It's fine, Bare," she whispered.
Barry was struggling to calm himself down, but he somehow managed. “Sorry,” he apologized, but not to his parents.
Margaret cleared her throat awkwardly. “Right. Err… how old were you again?”
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"I'm twenty-one, and I'll be twenty-two on the fifth of next month," Kasey answered, looking back at Mrs. Lawrence.
“So roughly the same age as Barry.” Both parents seemed pleased by this, which only served to make Barry more uncomfortable. “Yeah.”
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"Yes, roughly," Kasey said, nodding in agreement.
(Skip to the end of an arduous conversation?)
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(Lol. Should I start or do you want to?)
(Could you? Sorry my imagination is sort of dying rn lol)
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(Aw, I'm sorry for your imagination. Give it my condolences. Lol.)
Kasey stood with a smile. "It was a pleasure to meet you, Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence."