The first impression

Athanasia nervously paced the floor, waiting. The door soon opened to reveal a male figure, dressed in a single-breasted suit and flat fronted pants. The color was dark blue, contrasting beautifully with his fair skin.

"Charlie!" She approached him and carefully inspected his outfit. "Is this one okay with you?"

He nodded nervously. He was tapping his foot, trying to keep the anxiousness at bay. "Yes... I think?"

Athanasia hurriedly ushered him out of the dressing room. "Okay, okay. We don't have much time. You have to be there by 9, right? It's 8 already, and we also have to consider the time you'll take to get there."

Charlie allowed himself to be led away by his sister as she made him stand in front of a full body mirror. She adjusted his collar and asked, "You know today's very important, right?"

"Yes."

"You're meeting your future in laws." She noticed Charlie wringing his hands and sighed, "Don't be so nervous. Always remember, nothing's hopeless. Even if you screw this up, you can always correct it. The first impression isn't the last impression, but it never hurts to have a good image from the start, right?"

She picked up a bouquet from the table and handed it to him. "Here. Take this."

Charlie took it and asked, "So... Give it to will?"

Athanasia shook her head. "No. You have to give this to Adelia.''

Before Charlie could distort his face in a disgusted expression and ask why, she explained, "Look, she's the only girl, so kind of like the lady of the house. And you have to show your manners and politeness. Greet her politely, give her the flowers, and compliment her." She summed it up, "Basically, act like you're her friend and don't actually think that her breathing is oxygen wasted ."

Athanasia glanced at the clock and got straight to the point. "Look, just... Act polite. You'll be okay, if there are no unforeseen incidents."

He nodded again for the nth time. Athanasia couldn't help but smile when she saw her brother act so mature. He was never childish before either, but for once, there was something other than calmness and indifference in those eyes. It was nervousness, gratefulness and... Maybe even a little warmth?

With a bright smile, she adjusted his already perfect collar for one last time before patting him on the shoulder. "You'll be awesome. I'm sure they'll love you."

Adelia led him inside. Charlie adjusted his hair, trying to hide the earpiece better. His sister's voice sounded from the other end, "Hey, you're there, right? Now, compliment her first, and then, give the flowers to Adelia."

Charlie addressed the girl in a peach evening dress. "Bug-" He hurriedly corrected himself,

"-Adelia... My dear friend." He extended the bouquet to her. Adelia took it, confusion evident on her face.

"... Hey, are these poisoned?" She asked suspiciously.

Charlie tried hard to keep a straight face and not sneer as he replied 'politely', "No, how can I ever bear to poison my dear friend?"

"Compliment! Do the compliment!" Athanasia butted in.

Charlie took a deep breath before saying the least flattering compliment he could find on the internet. "Adelia. You look like a doll today."

Adelia was still not convinced that Charlie could ever compliment her, which was, kind of true. "... Not Annabella, right?"

"I think you know me well enough to figure that yourself, Adelia."

"Annabella, then." Adelia laughed, "You know, I kind of find all this funny now. Your insults are almost like our inside jokes or something."

She led him to the living room and said, "Just sit wherever. Dads will be down in a minute."

She turned in the direction of Willow's room and shouted loudly, "Hey Will! Your husband- No, boyfriend is here!"

Willow yelled back, "Adel! Have some filter, will you? Seriously..."

The door opened and Willow came out, wearing a black turtleneck with gray pants. He seemed to be in the middle of getting ready as his hair was still wet, drops of water seeping on his shoulder.

Needless to say, Charlie's mouth fell open, staring as if he's been granted salvation and seen God himself. And of course, there's no need to mention the blasphemous thoughts that followed.