The Bad boy's Secret Tutor

First Time Meeting Parent's

Summer. Back home.

Mia was a nervous wreck.

"Stop pacing," her mom said, stirring jollof rice. "He’s just a boy."

"He’s _Jake_," Mia said. "The quarterback. The one from all the rumors."

"And the one who stayed up all night in a library to finish a project with you," her mom smiled. "I like him already."

The doorbell rang at 6PM sharp.

---

Jake stood there in khakis and a plain button-down. No hoodie. Hair actually combed. Holding flowers _and_ a bag of something that smelled amazing.

"Hi Mrs. Okafor," he said, a little too formal. "I brought chin chin. My mom made it."

Mia’s mom took the bag and the flowers. "Well aren’t you polite. Come in, Jake."

Dinner was... loud.

Mia’s little brother asked Jake 12 questions about football in 5 minutes.

Her dad asked about his scholarship, his grades, and his plans after college.

Jake answered every single one. No jokes. No shrugging.

When her dad asked, "So what are your intentions with my daughter?"

Mia wanted to melt into the floor.

Jake didn’t flinch. "To treat her right, sir. She’s smart and she’s kind and she helped me when I didn’t deserve it. I’m really lucky she’s my... partner."

Mia kicked him under the table. He winked.

---

After dinner, they escaped to the porch.

Scout was in the car because "he’s too friendly and will steal food."

It was quiet. Crickets. The smell of rain coming.

"How’d I do?" Jake asked, finally exhaling.

Mia bumped his shoulder. "You survived my dad’s interrogation. You passed."

"Good. Because next month it’s my turn."

Mia blinked. "What?"

"My mom wants to meet you. She’s been asking since the scholarship news. She said ‘the girl who made my son pass math’ better come for dinner."

Mia panicked. "What do I wear? What do I bring? Does she like books?"

Jake laughed and pulled her into his side. "She likes you. That’s all that matters. And she makes the best suya in Onitsha."

Mia leaned her head on his shoulder.

"Chapter 1 I was hiding in the library," she said softly.

"Chapter 14 I’m meeting your mom," Jake finished.

"Team effort?"

"Always team effort, bookworm."

Her mom opened the door. "Jake, your ride’s here. And Mia, bedtime. You have class tomorrow."

Jake stood up. "Yes ma’am."

At the door he turned back.

"Thanks for dinner. And for raising her."

Mia’s mom smiled. "Thank you for seeing her."

---

In the car, Jake texted Mia:

_She loves you. Dad said you have ‘good character’. 10/10 night._

Mia replied:

_Scout better not eat all the chin before I get there next month._

Jake: _No promises._

And just like that, the girl who used to disappear

had two families who knew her name now.