A/N: Day 28 - the dinner. And a College AU? oooooh...

Chapter Summary: After an insistent and repetitive demand, Callum caved and accepted Rayla's request. It was time to meet his family. College AU.

Word Count: 4,135

Dinner

"Just so you know, for the record of course, I am totally getting you back for this."

Rayla laughed, hooking her thumbs into the pockets of her dark grey jeans. "And for the actual record? This is happenin' 'cause ya forgot to tell me a very important detail about your father," she fired back, dropping her amusement into a serious stare.

Callum sighed as he led her up the sidewalk. "I didn't forget! I just…"

"Forgot."

"Okay maybe, but… it didn't seem important at all!" Callum argued in his defence, looking back at Rayla with a shrug.

She scoffed. "Oh yeah, definitely not," she sarcastically replied, following him into the walkway leading up to the house. It was a two story suburban house, not exactly far away from Katolis, just a train ride away. A nice spacey front yard, with a tended field of grass, and pretty standard complexion of warm toned colours all around. "Not like it's important knowing that your newest friend's da is your football coach," she deadpanned, shooting his back an unamused stare.

Callum winced as he stopped in his tracks, turning back at her with an apologetic smile. "Okay, but like, when should've I mentioned it?"

"How 'bout when we first met?" Rayla suggested. She shifted to her right, facing nowhere in particular, she said as she held her hand out, "'Rayla. Quarterback,'" she shifted to the left, facing where she just was and sticking out her other hand, "'Callum. Artist. Oh and, that's cool, ya're in my Da's football team!'" she said in a mock American accent, heavily enunciating with a Texan style as she shook her hands with the air.

Callum snorted. "Oh sure, because that was my main concern the first time we met." He shook his head. "Not, 'Oh great, socializing!'" His smile dropped as he shot her curious look. "Wait, you remember word for word how we met?"

Rayla's face flushed as she narrowed her brows. "How would ya know if I remembered word for word? Last I checked photographic memory didn't include audio."

He laughed. "Sorry, didn't know my diagnosis had rules."

"Aye, like selectively forgetting to tell someone who literally spends over three hours a practice with their da, that they're spending three hours a practice with their da," she dropped into loud emphasis.

The door whipped open, revealing a copper skinned man dressed in a pair of beige khaki shorts, a gray Katolis sweatshirt with the school emblem plastered on the front. He crossed his arms and leaned against the doorframe, letting his dreadlocks fall down to his shoulders. With a smug smile, he raised a brow at the two. "So… are you coming in?" he inquired, nodding his head inside. "Or would you prefer to have your shouting match out in the open for the whole neighbourhood to see?"

Their faces flushed, Callum whipped his head around to shoot Rayla a glare, before taking her hand and leading her up to the steps. "Fine, fine, we're coming in."

"Good to see you too son," Harrow laughed, patting his shoulder as he walked inside.

Rayla stopped as she reached inside, turning back at Harrow with a smile. "Evenin' Coach," she offered a two fingered salute.

"Evening Rayla," he greeted with an amused smile. "I'm happy say Callum's finally decided to introduce you to us." He glanced over at his son. "Because lord knows how long he's kept us in the dark."

"Feeling's mutual," Rayla agreed, shooting the boy a glare.

Callum sighed. "Dad, where's Mum?" he asked, hoping to change the subject.

"Kitchen, just finishing up dessert," his father answered. "Ez is in there with her, helping."

Callum grinned. "Helping? Or," he raised his fingers, "'helping'?"

Harrow laughed. "If you're asking whether or not he's finished the desserts? Last I saw there was a full plate."

Callum breathed a feigned sigh of relief. "Oh great, I wanted Ray to try Mum's famous jelly tarts!" He took Rayla's hand and nodded over to the kitchen area. "We'll be back."

"I'll be in the living room if you need me!" Harrow's voice rung out.

"We won't!" Callum shouted back.

Rayla laughed as she let Callum lead her down the hall. "Oh relax, we weren't gonna tease ya for that long."

He shook his head. "You just demonstrated one of the perfect reasons as to why I was dreading this meeting."

She laughed again. "Oof, no need to be so dramatic."

They came to a stop just outside a white door. Rayla noticed a sweet aroma in the air and began sniffing. It was really sweet, and fresh. It must've been the dessert Callum was talking about. The door pushed open, revealing a large beautiful kitchen. It was small, very quaint and crowded, but it looked amazing. The island in the centre was a light grey marble covered in plates of what she assumed was the jelly tart. Sat at the stool, was a young boy. He had a large brown fro of hair, and wore an unzipped red hoodie with a pair of camo joggers. He had his hand on the top pile reaching for the highest and most fresh treat.

"Ez, save it for dinner," came a voice from beyond the island. Right at the stove, stood a beautiful woman dressed in a simple white sunflower dress, with a maroon apron tied around her waist. She turned around and smiled. "And speaking of dinner," she rushed over to Callum, embracing him in bear hug, "oh my boy, I missed you so much!"

"Mom, I visit like, every other week." Callum laughed, attempting to pull himself free of his mother's hold.

Rayla was smiling at their joyful reunion, but immediately lost all warmth as she soaked in Callum's words. "So that's why ya go missing every other Sunday?" Rayla questioned. "It never once crossed your mind during all those times that, 'Hey, I should probably tell Rayla 'bout my da'?"

Callum seethed, shrugging at the girl as his mother finally released him. "Oooh, you must be Rayla!" she held out her hand. "Katolis' star Quarterback!"

Rayla's brow went up as she shook her hand. "Uhh, yeah. Ya watch our games?"

"Oh of course! Gotta support my husband somehow," she exclaimed. She leaned in and whispered, "He gets all grumpy when I don't show."

Rayla laughed. "That would explain a lot of games," she smiled, "I just always assumed he wasn't satisfied."

"Hardly ever is," the woman teased.

The two erupted into a fit of soft laughter, before a timer went off. "Oh, the last batch is done. Ezran, why don't you help me move these onto the table?"

Ezran groaned as he moved off his stool. "Why can't Callum do it?"

"Because he's going to be too busy showing his guest around the house!"

Callum's eyes went wide. "I am?"

"You are."

He released a tired sigh as he took Rayla's hand. "C'mon Ray, I guess I'm… showing you around." He led her out of the room, and down the hall. Rayla's attention flew down to his hand. He was holding her hand a lot more recently. And she wasn't objecting at all. She liked it in fact. Callum's hands felt… nice. She could feel the calloused and strain within his hands, the hours spent sketching and fine tuning his work. But she also felt warm. It was a strange feeling. She had held his hand before, in fact, she was usually the one who initiated their contact. But she hadn't really considered how it felt until Callum started doing it. It was—

"Ray?"

Her gaze flew up. They were still inside the hall, just near the base of the stairs. "Uh, yeah?"

"I was saying, I'm not taking you to my room," he released her hand—much to her disappointment—and crossed his arms.

She pouted. "Why not?"

"Because I already agreed to introduce you to my parents, I don't need you seeing anymore ammo to use against me." He narrowed a brow, challenging her.

She laughed, waving her hand. "Oh relax! I just really wanted to meet your family!"

"You see my dad nearly everyday."

"Your entire family," Rayla added. "C'mon, no harm in that!" she leaned back, placing her weight against a small wooden table up against the wall. Her head rose in confusion, realizing there was a random piece of furniture nearby. She turned around and her face widened in joy. Atop the table, sat a display of photos. Family photos and all the usual cliches, but her attention flew to Callum's photo. A picture of him, probably ten or nine years old, wearing a Ravenclaw robe and holding a very detailed wand in his hands. He had the biggest grin a child could ever muster as he held up a large bag in his other hand. "Oh… my… goodness."

Callum rushed over to snatch the picture frame, but Rayla beat him to it. Picking it up as she looked at it for closer inspection. "Did ya make the wand yourself?"

"Yes, I did," Callum muttered.

"Are ya actually Ravenclaw? I'm a Gryffindor!" Rayla looked back at him with an excited smile. "Can ya make me a wand?"

He chuckled. "As long as we stay here."

Rayla snorted. "Deal," she set the picture frame back down. "Ya should totally dress up again for the Halloween party this year."

"That's months away."

"So? We can plan in advance!" Rayla declared.

He shot her a brow. "What happened to Cowboy Jock?"

"I'll do that some other time," she waved off. "Besides, I want an excuse to flash a wand around. C'mon!"

Callum rolled his eyes. "I'll think about it."

"Congrats Rayla," Harrow's voice chimed in. The two flew their attention down the hall, where they found the man leaning up against the wall and smiling down at them. "You've convinced him to dress up again! Poor Ez never managed to get him to dress up when he goes trick or treating."

Rayla gasped. "Callum, not even for your little brother."

"I grew out of it—"

Another gasp. "Ya've disappointed me," she shook her head.

Harrow laughed. "Hopefully you can convince him to stop by more often."

Callum groaned. "I visit on a bi-weekly basis! What more do you people want from me!"

"For now? Your butts at the table," Harrow grinned, "Dinner's ready. C'mon."

With a smug smirk, Rayla walked passed Callum, satisfied with his annoyed face. The three made their way into the dining room, and Rayla's mouth dropped. Their table was littered with food. Steaks, chicken, piles of bacon, a side assortment of mashed potatoes, and four plates of jelly tarts. It was crowded. "Uhh, wow," she nervously chuckled, making her way to a free seat. "Is this all for me? Because um," her gaze flew over to Harrow, "Ya usually want us in good shape Coach." She pulled out her chair and sat down. "And I have a feeling I won't be able to move after this."

Harrow laughed as he moved to the head of the table. "Oh relax Rayla! This is how we eat on a regular basis!"

Her eyes went wide. "Really?" she looked to Callum, who was moving to sit beside her. Rayla sputtered at his casual nod. This was an insane array of meals. She looked up, noticing across from her, sat Callum's mother and his little brother.

"Alright! Let's dig in!" Harrow announced as he sat down.

Rayla hadn't remembered a time when she had such a large amount of home cooked food available. She watched on as Callum's family began filling up their plates. She noticed Ezran seemed like the biggest eater out of everyone, having at least one of everything stacked atop his plate. "Is everything okay Rayla?" Callum's mother spoke up. "Nothing you like here?"

"Oh uhh, it's not that ma'am—"

"Please, call me Sarai," she quickly suggested.

"Right," she nervously grinned, "I just don't know where to start." Harrow and Sarai laughed, leaving her to chuckle alongside them. She settled on a two steaks and some mashed potatoes.

"Do you not cook?" Sarai questioned.

Rayla laughed. "I wish," she quickly sliced up a piece of steak and popped it into her mouth.

Callum leaned forward. "Rayla's on scholarship, so she can spend as much as she wants," he teased.

She retorted with a swift elbow to his side. "I do not!"

He laughed. "She practically orders food every other day," Callum explained.

Sarai grinned. "Well, if you ever want a home cooked meal or a few lessons, stop on by!" she suggested.

Callum seized chewing as Rayla's eyes went wide. "Seriously?"

"Aye! It'd be fun!" she nodded.

"I'll… I might take ya up on that some time," Rayla grinned.

A comfortable silence dwelled as the five continued eating. Rayla was amazed at how quickly Ezran finished half his plate, and still looked hungry for more. Harrow seemed to take things slow and simple, but he was enjoying his pace and his plate nonetheless. She noticed similarities with Callum and Sarai, they both took large portions but selectively ate at a casual pace.

"Ez, don't eat like that, you'll scare off Rayla," Harrow jested, noting how quickly his youngest scarfed down his last steak.

"If she can handle tackles from dudes two times her size," he swallowed his mouthful, "then she can watch me eat."

Rayla laughed. "It's fine," she assured Coach Harrow. "I'm impressed actually. I don't think I've seen someone eat faster than ya." Ezran smiled with his stuffed cheeks. She laughed again. "How do ya keep a small frame? I'd be bloated after daily meals like these."

"Oh, I dance!" Ezran cheered, lifting his knife high. "You ever see one of those online dance choreography classes?" Rayla nodded. "Yeah I take classes like those."

Rayla's jaw dropped as she turned to Callum. "For real?"

Callum laughed. "I never denied he didn't have a YouTube channel. Because he technically doesn't. It's the studio's, but he just participates sometimes."

Rayla pointed her fork at him and smiled, "Remind me to get your Instagram and channel name. I'm following ya."

Ezran laughed. "Thanks! Now if you could convince someone else to do so," his gaze flew over to Callum, who was currently enjoying his mashed potatoes.

Rayla gasped as she leaned over. "Ya don't follow your brother?"

"On YouTube I do!" Callum argued.

"Ya just said that's not his, ya should follow him on Instagram!"

"You know I don't use instagram."

"Your whole anti-social media shtick makes no sense," Rayla rolled her eyes, "How can ya spread your art if ya don't let people see it?"

"I have a Tumblr."

"Get Twitter and Insta too! Ya'll double your followers!"

"I already have a following," Callum dismissed.

Rayla scoffed. "Uhh yeah, on one platform."

"I meant real life," he corrected, shooting her a raised brow. "Or did you think I forget you're my number one fan?" he teased.

She scowled at him, bumping her shoulder in retaliation. "Oh shut up," she laughed.

"Your words, not mine."

"I said fan, not number one," she corrected. She flicked his forehead. "Ya must be dreaming."

"If I was dreaming I'd be in my art studio," Callum mused.

Rayla feigned a pout. "Aww, ya mean dinner with me and your family isn't nice?" She turned back and smiled at Harrow. "Uh oh Coach, sounds like this one might be a problem child," she whispered, jerking her thumb over to Callum. Her smile faded as she noticed Callum's parents both staring at her, wearing big grins. Or rather, the "Dumb Callum Grin" as she deemed it. "What?" she reached for a napkin and began wiping her mouth. "Somethin' on my face?"

"Oh, no, no, nothing," Harrow dismissed.

"Yeah, it's just, you two are good for each other," Sarai smiled, "I'm glad to see Callum's branched out of his social bubble for once."

Rayla threw a smug look at the aforementioned son, watching his head lean back as he groaned, "Moooom."

"Sorry Sweetie but it is true." Sarai giggled. "You used to hang around Soren and Claudia like they were your only life support system."

"More like they used to follow me around," Callum muttered.

Rayla chuckled. "I believe both sides of that story," she mused, earning some laughs from Callum's family.

"Yeah, he only hung out with me or them," Ezran chirped up. He cupped his hand over his mouth and whispered to Rayla, "But I could tell he liked hanging out with me more!"

Rayla laughed, shooting him a wink. "Of course he would, little dude," she acknowledged. Turning back to Harrow, she decided to run with this conversation. "Soren told me ya were friends with his father?"

"Viren? Oh yeah," Harrow nodded. "He's a family friend. Good one to us." He lifted his glass of water up to his lips. "His kids went to the same high school as Callum, and we were new in the community so he suggested a barbecue," he said before sipping.

"He wanted to show off his mansion," Sarai explained, "and Harrow wanted an excuse to eat at a rich person's house." Harrow choked on his drink, earning a smug smile from his wife.

"Not true!" he hastily argued.

"It's fine Coach, I'm not judging!" Rayla assured him. She turned to Callum. "So does that mean ya were stuck with those two for four years?"

Callum frowned. "Now you understand my pain," he tiredly said.

She laughed, bumping her shoulder against his. "Good thing I came along when I did, eh?" The two shared a warm smile at each other.

Unnoticed by them, Harrow and Sarai exchanged a knowing look at each other whilst Ezran faked a gag. Sarai cleared her throat, removing their trance in one another. "So, when did this happen?" she asked, gesturing between the two.

Rayla tilted her head, confused by her question. Was it a typical thing for parents to ask when you made a new friend? "At a party," Callum explained, leaving her to assume it was normal after all.

Harrow's eyes went wide. "A party? Callum? At a party?"

"I was taken against my will," he monotonously corrected. His parents laughed. "I was on my way out but Rayla stopped me. She claimed I needed a bodyguard if I was gonna walk to my studio all by myself."

Rayla shrugged as she saw her coach's smile flying toward her. It made her blush. "Had to keep an eye on him."

"Because you're a fan," he hurriedly said, masking it under a cough.

She shot him a glare. "Oi, knock it off."

"You're a fan?" Sarai inquired. "Of what?"

"Umm…" her cheeks suddenly felt hotter for some reason. "Of his art." His parent's faces shifted into surprise, but it looked like a pleasant surprise. "Yeah I uh… I go to our campus' art galleries. I like lookin' at all the showcases." She proudly smiled, because she wasn't exactly ashamed to admit liking art, especially Callum's no less. She turned to Callum and added, "I got hooked onto his greatest works! He's real talented."

Sarai seemed proud at her words, looking onto her son with a warm smile. "I know. I'm glad he's found someone who appreciates his work too." Rayla's smile slowly started dying down as she considered Sarai's words. The way his parents were speaking, their excited tones and looks, did they think… "I think you're a good match for our son."

Rayla's eyes went wide. They totally did think that. Her face flushed as she looked to Callum, who startled himself into a coughing fit, spitting out a chunk of chicken. Rayla nervously laughed as she shook her head, sputtering out, "W-Wait, we're not, he and I are… we're—"

"Just friends," Callum hoarsely stated, gasping for air as he reached for his glass of water.

Sarai and Harrow glanced at each other in shock, whilst Ezran scoffed. "Suuuuure," he sarcastically quipped as he piled some jelly tarts onto his plate.

"Really?" Harrow asked.

"But I thought you said you got together at that party?" Sarai recalled.

"We met at the party Mom," Callum corrected. "And we've been friends since then. Friends," he heavily stressed.

Rayla rapidly nodded in agreement. "Yeah! He and I are… not together, no way," she shook her head. "Not that I think your son isn't a catch! I do, he's great!" She glanced over to him, noticing he was suddenly red too. Oh she wasn't helping, was she? "I mean, obviously but like, we're just good friends is all."

"Yeah," Callum coughed. "Friends."

"Exactly," she nodded. "Friends."

Sarai and Harrow exchanged one more look before shrugging. "I see," Sarai stated. "Well, sorry I assumed!" She chuckled. "It's just that, my son doesn't have friends over and never introduces anyone, so imagine our surprise when he randomly suggests having a girl over for dinner!"

Callum raised a brow. "But… what if it was a guy?"

Sarai shot him a knowing look. "Would've thought the same either way," she winked.

Rayla's gaze flew between Callum and Sarai, searching for answers within their conversation. All she found was a small smile coming from Callum whilst Sarai looked back to Rayla.

"Either way, sorry for jumping to conclusions," Sarai apologized.

"Oh, don't worry 'bout it," Rayla quickly assured. "It… it's not a big deal."

"I just assumed judging from the way you and Soren were talking in the field that day," Harow pointed out. "Your conversation seemed to be about Callum. I wasn't exactly paying attention, but it sounded like he was—"

"Oh right, right," Rayla cut him off, looking over at Callum's confusion. "Nah, Soren just had the same conclusion as ya two." She coughed. "But um, yeah, the main reason I wanted to come over is just," she looked to Harrow, "Callum never told me ya were his dad. It wasn't until that day on the field when ya shouted it that I learned."

Harrow laughed as he looked to his son. "Seriously? You didn't think to fill in your new friend that her coach was your dad?"

"Thank ya!" Rayla exclaimed.

Callum sighed. "It slipped my mind."

"Important detail regardless," Sarai scolded.

He rolled his eyes. "This was what I was worried about. All of you ganging up on me, working against me!"

"So you only just learned recently I'm his step-father?" Harrow asked.

Rayla nodded. "He's failed to mention it anytime before."

"We're studying why would I distract us?"

"Ya know for a fact we barely study," she quipped back.

"I forgot too, remember, it just never came up!"

"And what about all those times ya visit before practice?"

Callum waved his hand. "You're psyching yourself up, I try focusing on not distracting you."

"Ya always distract me," Rayla teased.

"Wait, wait," Harrow spoke up. "You came to a football practice?"

"He watched a few games too," Rayla chimed in.

Shock overwhelmed the man as he looked to Callum. "Well I'll be… never thought I'd see the day!" He laughed. "Someone managed to convince Callum to not only come to our football games, but our practices too?"

"Hey, she goes to my art galleries," Callum defended, jerking a thumb over to her, "might as well return the sentiment."

"Oh of course, of course," Harrow agreed, nodding dramatically. Sarai slapped his shoulder, signalling him to knock it off. He rolled his eyes. "Well regardless, I'm happy to hear it."

Callum shook his head, leaning over to Rayla as he whispered, "Now look at what you've done."

"Payback," she winked at him. "Next time, share important details."

He turned his attention over to the stack of jelly tarts. "Fine, here's an important detail," he picked up a tart and placed it on Rayla's finished plate, "These, are the best desserts you'll ever have. Guaranteed."

Rayla raised a brow as she picked it up. She scanned the table, noticing everyone staring at her in anticipation, waiting for her to take a bite. It must've been really good then. But then again, this was also coming from a man who liked Coffee Crisp, so Rayla braced herself regardless. She took a big bite, and her eyes widened. This… was really good. Her reaction must have been big as she heard the family chuckling at her.

She chewed the piece with excitement, savouring the food. She noticed the rest of the family began taking their own jelly tarts, regardless of whether or not they were finished their meals. As they ate in a collective silence, Rayla smiled. This was really nice. All of it.

She swallowed her food and wore a sheepish smile, glancing at Sarai. "Uhh, Sarai?" she spoke up, gathering the woman's attention. "Can I get… like a dozen to go?"

She could get used to this.

A/N: Holy cow did this end up waaaaaayy longer than I expected. It kinda ended weird too, but I had fun writing. Also, I'd like to address a collective confusion incase no one was aware: I'm not stopping MBtMS after Rayllum month. I meant last chapter that Rayllum month was coming to a close, but this collection story will still go on. After Rayllum month, this will be on hiatus-more details will be revealed on the 31st post, the actual end. So yeah, don't worry I'm not stopping this!

Review Responses:

Prophet21: Fret not! I'll make them as good as I can!

Griff-FanFic1933: Yeah, Callum's such a soft boy it's hilarious to write. Glad you liked it!

SassySapphire: I already addressed this in the A/N above, but I just wanted to say it again. Don't worry! The ride's far from over!

Next prompt is music!

Until next time,

- Bleh