Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Closing the door to Tom's childhood bedroom as quietly as you possibly could, you made your way to the side of the bed furthest away from the door, sinking to the floor. You pulled your legs up against your chest, resting your forehead against your knees. You squeezed your eyes shut, trying to stop the tears that wanted to roll down onto your cheeks. Unfortunately, your tactic didn't work, and tears started spilling down. You could tell the tears weren't going to stop any time soon. The whole day had been an absolute disaster from the moment you'd arrived; nothing was going how you'd hoped. You were meeting his family for the first time, and it seemed pretty clear to you that they didn't particularly like you.
On the way over, you were a nervous wreck, heart beating too fast, hands shaking, but Tom had told you that it would be okay. He said that they'd love you just as much as he loved you. He said that he'd already talked you up to them - that everything would be fine. You wanted so desperately to believe him, and for that to be true, but for some reason, there was a feeling in the pit of your stomach that just wouldn't go away. You'd never met any of your previous partners' parents, and you felt as though there was a lot riding on this. You felt things with Tom that you'd never felt with anyone else, and you could definitely picture him in your life for the long run. Anyhow, at this point, you were beginning to think that maybe that wouldn't be happening.
When you'd first arrived, things were going somewhat smoothly. Not great, but meeting new people was always a bit awkward. Especially for you. You were a very shy and introverted person, and sometimes people took that the wrong way. A lot of people seemed to think that you were apathetic and kind of cold and distant at first until they got to know you (somehow Tom had seen right through that from the beginning). Honestly, you liked talking to people, it was just hard for you. You were worried you would come off that way to his family, so you were trying your best to be a little more bright and cheerful. His parents both shook your hand, and you gave them the best smile that you could.
You handed Nikki the flowers you'd brought for her, and she took them with a quick thanks. They weren't looking too great now, after having been in the backseat a while on the drive over, but it's the thought that counts, right? Dom spoke up, "So nothing for me, then?"
Your cheeks flushed as you bit down on your bottom lip, clutching Tom's hand tightly in yours. "Oh, uh, n-no, I'm sorry, um-"
He cut you off with a short laugh and a wave of his hand, "Just joking. Tom, why don't you guys bring your stuff upstairs?" You tried your best to believe that he really had been joking, but your anxiety didn't help the situation, and now you were paranoid that things were off to a bad start with his parents, and that they wouldn't like you.
The two of you were going to be staying at his parents' house for the weekend, so you'd brought bags with clothes and other things you needed. You both picked up your bags and you followed closely behind Tom up the stairs. At the top of the steps, you stopped to ask Tom where the bathroom was. He pointed down the hall and took your bag from you, telling you to just come to his room when you were done. He leaned down, pressing a kiss to your cheek, which you quickly returned.
