Chapter 23

We decided to stay for a bit at Chris' house where we were able to freshen up from the car ride and flight, get everything unpacked and just get a couple of minutes to just relax before heading over to see everyone else.

What was most important at arriving at the house was getting to meet the infamous Dodger and let me tell you he is absolutely adorable, such a big sweetheart like his dad and I was kind of surprised by how affectionate he was with me.

Don't get me wrong, Dodger is naturally a very sweet and down to earth dog but he was just very charming as he was literally following me everywhere I went inside the house, when I was given a tour, and even followed me when I went to the restroom which was hilarious as I listened to Chris calling for him and finding him sitting in front of the door telling him that "you can't just sit there forever waiting for me to get out." and "she needs the privacy bubba."

Which I thought was really cute hearing him talking to him like he was a person... a small person.

"Hiii bud, aww were you waiting for me?" I cooed, holding onto Dodger's front legs as he jumped at me as I stepped out of the bathroom.

I couldn't help but join Chris laughing as we watched how excited the pup was getting as I was talking to him, I kneel down to envelope the pup into a big hug, scratched him behind the ears and letting out a small 'oof' as he laid his body basically on top of mine which led to giving him belly rubs from both Chris and I.

"Heyy so I think we should start headin' out, ma said that suppa's going to be ready soon." Scott announces, popping his head around the corner smiling down at Chris, Dodger and I on the floor of the hallway.

Agreeing with Scott we got up from the floor and started walking out to the car, not before grabbing my little backpack and making sure Dodger had his collar on, then we all pile into the car with Chris and I in the front and Scott and the little guy in the back, as we start heading on our way to the Evans' residence.

I wasn't sure what to expect walking towards the front door with Chris, hand in hand, with Scott and Dodger in tow. I tried not to let my nerves catch up to me and I can tell Chris also noticed, or maybe he was getting nervous too, as he gently squeezed my hand as he reached for the doorknob with his other hand.

He twisted it open to reveal a beautiful interior; the walls along the hallway and living room were a taupe grey that matched perfectly with the single brick wall where the fireplace was along with a white mantle above it, that holds pictures of the family and above that sits a flat-screen t.v.

As we walk into the spacious living room I'm greeted with a large blue-grayish L-shape plush couch that sits against the wall facing the television, a small vintage coffee table in the middle supporting a vase of white roses with some baby breaths, and then there are two singular cream-colored love seats that sits three feet from the couch and face the kitchen.

Before I get to take a really good look at the kitchen I feel myself get pulled into another bone crushing hug and realize while I was busy looking at the house to notice that someone walked in, I hugged back as I noticed who it was and I can tell I looked a bit shocked as the person pulled away with a big smile on their face.

"Oh, it's so great to finally meet you! My name is Lisa and let me tell yah somethin' my son has nonstopped talked about you since he got his clumsy self lost, just rambling on and on to his siblings-mostly Scott- and I about how beautiful, delightful and amazing you are. He even admitted that even though he knew he could have gotten in trouble for stayin' those extra days if they found out he lied about not his cah not bein able to-"

"'A'right ma, I think she gets it. " Chris blurts out, a red hue forming on his face and the tip of his ears.

I couldn't help but giggle as he looked like a sheepish teenager whose mom just embarrassed them in front of their crush. I was then pulled into another bear hug as we all stand in the middle of the living room. I just reciprocated the gesture realizing that the Evans family are huggers and I have to admit... I really love hugs, I mean who doesn't? I mean even an introvert myself loves hugs to a certain extent, plus my friend Jineni always says "you're a very huggable person" whatever that means.

"Hii, my goodness it's really great to meet you Andrea I'm Shanna and believe me it's true, Chris here has been ramblin' on about how amazin' you are and we are very excited that you're here." She commented, giving me a big smile then pulling me into another hug.

A couple of hugs and introductions later, all the women are sitting in the living room with drinks as the guys are in the back with the kids having a couple of drinks, well, almost all the guys, Scott is sitting in one of the love seats while I'm sitting on the other, well halfway sitting as Chris decided to stay inside and sit with me so he is sitting on the chair while I'm sitting on his lap.

At first, I wasn't sure if that would be appropriate to be sitting like that in front of his family and got a bit nervous I would get bad looks from everyone but they acted like it was a normal thing. To be fair, Scott was sitting on his boyfriend's lap too so... not that Chris is my boyfriend, at least not yet?

"Hey Chris! yah wanna join us?"

We turn to the screen door to see Chris' dad standing at the entrance with a smile with his sisters' husbands and cousins sitting with beverages in their hands around the fire pit, looking at Chris expectedly.

"Yeah pops, " he shouts back, then turns to me, "will you be alright here, alone?" He whispers to me, as he knows how my anxiety rises with being around new people.

I get up and move so he stands from the seat, "yeah don't worry go with the guys have fun, plus I have Scott here, I will be alright." I assure him with a small smile.

He seems to accept my answer after staring at my face for a bit then nods his head and then gives me a kiss on the head before he grabs his drink and walks out to the back.

Sitting back down I look towards Scott who was already looking at me with a small smile and grabs my hand giving it a tiny squeeze as if he's telling me 'I'm right here'. I reciprocate the actions and look back towards the ladies that are still talking about well, to be honest, I don't know... as I was mostly conversating with Chris (and Scott) when he was sitting with us.

I tried not to feel out of place but it was kind of hard as I was pretty much younger than everyone here and wasn't sure if we even had the same interest in topics, I might be only 17 (and a half) but I'm really mature for my age, most of the time, and of course I start to feel anxious as I start doubting myself and overthinking which cause my hands to start sweating and shaking a bit.

I know some people might think 'it's not a big deal' or 'I'm just being dramatic' but anxiety is a very serious issue as it's a mental illness and really should be taken seriously as all the other mental and physical illnesses do. I was also diagnosed when I was 13 with anxiety so I've been struggling with it for the past 4 to 5 years, I know it's dumb not to take medication for it but I wanted to try myself to get it under control and not feel like I can't do it... plus I'm very stubborn.

I felt Scott squeeze my hand again, in a way of asking if I was alright as I continue to have look down at the drink in my other hand that's laying on my lap, just trying to get control my breathing and not make it noticeable that I'm possiblh in the middle of having an anxiety attack.

I take a deep breath but not too hard that it would be noticeable and shut my eyes hard as I feel tears forming in my eyes, I abruptly stand up and shuffle by Scotts' seat, barely getting out an 'excuse me' as I speed walk to the bathroom knowing that if I don't get out of there I won't be able to control the tears, already feeling my chest starting to tighten up.

What I didn't notice as I all but ran to the bathroom was someone calling my name or how my action caused some of the ladies to look at my small form basically running to the hall. Shutting the door, I let out a shaky breath that I didn't know I was holding as I grip the white marble sink trying to get myself to calm down.

After standing there for about a minute and a half, I turn on the sink that automatically started pouring out cold water and splashed some on my face, hoping it would calm me down, after feeling like I was better. I turned the handle to stop the water flow, grabbed a small towel and started patting my face down, after folding and it putting it back on the hook, I check myself over in the mirror nodding at how I calm and less red I looked. I turn and open the door only to see Chris standing there with his hand up, ready to knock on the door.

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