Chapter 22

Julie's gasp hung in the night air. Her face frozen in absolute horror at the magnificence of her father's plan. Truthfully she couldn't argue with the majority of his conditions. That is until she heard the last one. Her joy had been supplanted by her revulsion. She had officially become one of those weird girls with over protective parents that everyone had heard about but rarely met. She was going to be one of the horror stories circulating in the teen world. She felt her hand compressed reassuringly and she tried to centre her thoughts. She had Tim. She wouldn't have to lie...just date with her parents.

"Deal," Tim's other hand shot out and shook her father's hand. The Coach stood there rocking back and forth on his heels looking rather happy with himself. She rolled her eyes and looked toward Tim. He obviously found the humour in the situation. He pulled her over to his side, reassuring her with his nearness. Considering the audience she guessed they were lucky to get away with anything that may constitute a public display of affection. Her father tapped his watch and said

"Time to go, your mother's waiting and I have a lot to tell her," he gestured towards his car.

"Sir, could I drop Julie home?" Tim asked with a surprisingly calm voice.

"Sorry Tim, that would constitute a date and I need to get my car home," The Coach laughed at this like he made some joke. Julie began to protest

"But what about Tim driving me to school?'

The Coach cackled "Not unless I want a chauffer". Julie's face scrunched up, this seriously blew big time. Her father looked at her, his eyes dancing merrily. For someone who'd been so cheesed off earlier, he'd made a remarkable come back. "Let's go Scrunchy." She turned to Tim, smiled a reluctant farewell and followed her father as he crossed the field. She stomped the entire way with an exception to the wave she directed to their audience by the bleachers. She felt like she was on Jerry Springer, except she wasn't pregnant, fat and/or disrobing.

It took a few minutes for her to calm down until she felt composed enough to speak to her father. She sat beside him in the front of the car, the radio silent for once. She turned to him

"Why did you change your mind?" she asked quietly, trying to mimic Tim's tone from before. Her father did a double take not believing she was speaking to him already, he had planned for the silent treatment for at least 48 hours.

"I decided to put some faith in the kid." He made it sound so simple.

"What about faith in me?" Julie was disappointed that he'd never been confident in her decision making.

"That's why I am putting faith in him, you believe in him. You said to me a couple of weeks ago that I trusted him in my house, on my team and as part of my family and you were right. I was judging him on what I had heard about him and not what I had seen. He's trying. You're trying. I chose to support your faith in him...with some conditions." He broke into laughter again.

"Yeah about that," she broke off "the first few are all completely okay but could we revise the last one," she wheedled. This time he didn't even look at her, his attention remaining on the road. His voice serious.

"Not a chance." She sighed lowering herself into the seat. This was a high school nightmare come to life.

"Eric, you did what?" Tami Taylor's voice was shrill. Julie smiled from the safety of her bedroom, her ear pressed tightly against her door. Her dad was going to be on the receiving end this time.

"I decided that provided with some reasonable conditions Julie can date Tim Riggins." Her dad was proud of himself, she could hear it through three walls.

"Okay," she answered "What were your 'reasonable' conditions'" her mother on the other hand was supremely sceptical.

"Back up a bit. You don't have problems with our daughter and the Riggins boy together like?" Her father was aghast.

"Of course I do, but if we don't give them the benefit of the doubt they're going to find a way to be together anyway. He approached you before, I believe he's serious. He asked you again tonight. We give them a chance." How come her mother could sound so logical? "Now what were the conditions, this doesn't sound good. You should've have waited for me honey."

"No drinking,"

"Good."

"No inappropriate behaviour,"

"Excellent,"

"Grades need to be maintained,"

"Nice one honey,"

"Julie's not to go to the Riggins house,"

"Hmm,"

"They are to be supervised if they are here together,"

"Stretching it a little hun,"

"No hanky panky,"

"You didn't use those words did you? You did not grow up in the Dark Ages." Her father huffed and puffed. "You did well, anymore?

"A parent needs to chaperone any of their dates or there won't be one," he sounded proud. He waited for her mother's response. So did Julie, this could go either way.

"Oh no you didn't? You didn't? Did you Eric?" Tami was shocked beyond belief. "Eric, we were okay with Matt taking her out, you can't establish a double standard like that. Besides, it's embarrassing to be the third wheel!"

"Fine, I'll go on the date then," he conceded.

"No you won't! You'll do something ridiculous like keep a tally of every time he tries to touch her and make him do sprints as punishment. I will not let you contribute to the social downfall of our daughter. I'll go."

"Fine."

"Fine." She sighed. "Oh Eric, what were you thinking"

"It was Tim Riggins. If he really wants to date her he'll do it regardless of any condition. He's proving himself worthy. Nothing but the best for my little girl." Tami just heaved a sigh at whole predicament. 'Is there any lasagne left?"

Julie pondered their conversation. Would Tim want to abide by the conditions? Would he ever be worthy in her dad's eyes? She got under her covers and closed her eyes dreaming of kissing Tim under the stars.

The next morning Julie rang Tim. It was a surprise to her parents when she smugly announced

"Tim will be taking me on a date tonight. He will be picking me (and one of you up) as per our arrangement at 7pm. Which one of you will be chaperoning?" Her parent stared at her amazed at the suddenness of this date.

Her mom spoke reluctantly, slowly raising her hand "That would be me,"

Julie nodded "We're going to the movies, dress nice," and she walked off to her room. That was too fun, revenge was a bitch.

Author's Note – Five chapters in twelve hours. I am officially done as it is after midnight. I looked forward to reading your reviews in the morning. Nighty-night.