It’s dinner time at the Maxim household. Isiah (Nora’s father), Jasmine (Nora’s mom), and Nora are sitting around the dinner table. Nora and her father are devouring their food, while Jasmine remains reserved, eating slowly while smiling at her family.
Jasmine’s inner thoughts: She’s just like her father.
“So, sweetie… how has school been?” Jasmine asks her daughter.
“Umm, it’s been alright, just constantly learning stuff left and right.”
“Oh yeah?” Isiah scoffs. “Like what?” He asks.
“Oh…Well. Tons of stuff, you know. Biology, economics, and a ton of social studies.” Nora fumbles.
“She added social studies because she knows it was your favorite subject.” Jasmine says to her husband.
“I caught that.” Isiah chuckles. “Well while you remember what you're learning, have you made any friends since being in the city?” Isiah asks Nora.
“Yeah actually — Faith, and Javier. Faith is in my class, but Javier goes to some private school.” Nora replies.
“A boy from private school? How did you meet him?” Isiah asks immediately.
“Isiah, let her explain how she met both her friends,” Jasmine interrupts, giving her husband a playful look.
“Well, Faith and I… had a rocky start but eventually we became pretty good friends!” Nora shares.
“That’s great sweetie” Jasmine says warmly.
“And how about the boy?” Isiah presses.
“Dad~” Nora pleads.
“I’m just excited to hear about your new friends, Nor Nor.” Isiah says with a grin.
“He only ever calls me that, when he’s in overprotected dad mode” Nora says to her mother.
“I knew I raised an observative daughter. You make me so proud.” Jasmine says, smirking.
Isiah frowns, his expression growing mock-stern, as his wife and daughter laugh at his expense.
Isiah’s inner thoughts: She’s definitely her mothers’ daughter.
“Javier and I met because of our mutual interest in a game we all play. It’s called V.B.L, have either of you heard of it?” Nora asks.
“VBL? No, I can’t say I have. I haven’t played any video games in… I don’t know how long.” Jasmine admits.
“I think I’ve heard some of my squad members mention their kids playing it. So, what type of game is it? A shooter?” Isiah asks.
“It’s a fighting game. It’s so cool — it’s almost like augmented reality! You feel like you’re really there, fighting! I can show you two some of my matches sometime. They’re all recorded in the app.” Nora explains.
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“Every time I feel like I’m catching up on technology, I’m left behind again.” Jasmine says with a sigh.
“I’m right there with you sweetie. Sometimes I look at my old Bega Genesis and I feel like plugging it back in. Simpler times for sure.” Isiah says.
“Are you kidding me, Dad?! We should hook it up after dinner!” Nora exclaims.
“That actually sounds like fun.” Jasmine admits with a smile.
“Mom and I can team up since she sucks at games!” Nora jokes.
“HAHAHAHA!” Isiah bursts into laughter.
“I don’t see it how it’s that funny!” Jasmine says defensively.
“Okay you won me over. After dinner I’m setting up my old console in the living room.” Isiah declares.
The family eats in companionable silence for a few moments before Jasmine asks, “So, baby, has anyone been giving you problems at your new school?”
“Not really. I mean… There was this one girl and this one guy that might have some issues with me.” Nora admits.
“Already? Why?” Jasmine asks, her tone sharpening slightly.
“Well, the girl was Faith’s old friend. She got upset that Faith was spending more time with me. It completely caught me off guard. I don’t even remember her name. We ended making a scene in class though.” Nora says.
“That’s not good. Although it couldn’t have been that bad if they didn’t call us.” Jasmine points out.
“To tell you the truth, I don’t think that teacher is very fond of me either.” Nora adds.
“I don’t like the sound of that.” Isiah states.
“It’s okay. Aside from some sly remarks, she hasn’t really done anything else.” Nora says.
“I don’t even like her making remarks. She can keep those to herself.” Jasmine states firmly.
“Same,” Isiah agrees.
“What are you going to do? She isn’t even the worst there’s been. If all she’s doing is making sly remarks, then I can work with that.” Nora says.
“Still.” Isiah grumbles.
“Just don’t be afraid to tell us, if anything more serious happens, okay?” Jasmine says.
“Okay, I will.” Nora promises.
“Hey, Mom?”
“Yeah?”
“How did you and dad meet?” Nora asks.
Isiah immediately chokes on his food, and Jasmine spits out the sweet tea she made. Nora raises an eyebrow at their reactions.
“Well, umm,” Isiah stammers.
“You see, sweetie,” Jasmine says while blushing.” We met under… different circumstances.”
“Right, Different.” Isiah adds, his face flushing.
“Umm, okay. What does that mean?” Nora persists.
Jasmine and Isiah exchange panicked looks, both starting to sweat.
“Well… your mom kind of… stole me from her friend.” Isiah admits reluctantly.
“Wait, that’s not exactly how it happened!” Jasmine exclaims.
“Oh, yeah? Then how would you explain it?” Isiah challenges.
“We… met… at a party. And then… we…sort of just fell for each other.” Jasmine admits while blushing.
“Wait… are you telling me that you and dad hooked up at a party?” Nora asks incredulously.
“A house party.” Isiah mutters, with his head down.
“Dad!” Nora screams.
“I know.” Isiah says.
“Mom!”
“I know!” Jasmine echoes, covering her blush..
Nora watches her parents avoid her gaze, both clearly embarrassed. She smirks.
“And you two try to tell me not to be too crazy.” Nora says with a laugh.
“Look! It was a different time when we were young.” Isiah defends.
“Yeah, it’s definitely sounding wilder than the life I’m living.” Nora teases.
“Look. Your father and I knew we were going to be together after that.” Jasmine insists.
“Did we?” Isiah asks with a sly smile.
“Did you?” Nora adds, grinning.
“Well… not at that exact moment!” Jasmine admits.
“Hahaha!” Nora laughs loudly.
“It’s not that funny!” Jasmine protests.
“Haha! Oh boy… I love you honey.” Isiah says, still chuckling.
“I love you too.” Jasmine replies, blushing.
After dinner, the Maxim family set up the retro gaming console and played together until 1 a.m.. Nora was late to class the next day.