Anxiety • part 1

35 • Cambridge

"Welcome to Cambridge." I said with a smile as I took the exit from the highway. After driving from an hour and waking up at 8 after only going to be at 5, I was glad we were finally here.

"Are you sure your dad isn't going to kill me?" Ashton asked as he looked around. "Because I'm pretty damn nervous."

"He won't, mom is the one with access to lethal drugs and scalpels. Don't be nervous, it's going to be fine! Jackie is very excited that you're coming and my dad is okay with us, don't worry" I said to reassure him but he has been stressing out all morning. It was cute to see but so unnecessary. "If my dad approved of me dating Max, he sure as hell will be happy with you."

"But Max doesn't have thousands of sometimes very angry fans and actually lives in London." He said with a sigh.

"Ashton" I said as I looked at him when we stopped at a red light. "Stop freaking out. They're not going to hate you."

"But what if they don't like me? I'm sure they also know that if we keep dating, you won't be staying nearby after graduation."

"Ash." I said once again to make him stop. "I love you and that's what counts. I was never planning on staying in London or Cambridge anyway so I'm sure they are happy I would be moving to be close to someone I love."

"Are you sure?" He asked once again and I nodded while keeping my eyes on the road. We lived on the outside of Cambridge but it was pretty close to the highway.

"Just be you and they will love you just like I do. The fact that Jackie likes you, will help too." I parked on the driveway and the door opened just seconds later, my dad standing in the doorway with the biggest smile.

"Welcome home Sammie." He said happily as he walked over to hug me thightly. "Has he been treating you good?" He asked soft enough so Ashton wouldn't hear it.

"Absolutely." I whispered back. When he let go of me he walked over to Ashton and when he wanted to hold out his hand to say hello, my dad just pulled him in for a hug. I smiled as I watched them before letting Piper out who ran straight to the door where Jackie and mom were waiting.

"Welcome to our home, Ashton" I heard my dad say but I knew he had whispered a few things already before saying that. But Ashton had a smile on his face so that was a good sign.

We took our bags and Jackie came up to hug me as soon as I was closer to the door.

"Thank you for bringing a God to our house." She whispered and I laughed softly.

"Did you take the posters down in my room?" I whispered back and she nodded. I was very relieved that she didn't forget it.

"It's great to finally meet you Ashton. Sam and Jackie have told us a lot about you and we've been forced to listen to your music by Jackie for the past week." Mom said and Ashton immediately turned red and was at a loss of words.

"Mom! You weren't supposed to say that!" Jackie said immediately.

"I'm not sure if you should believe everything they've said." He said when he finally recovered.

"It were only loving words." She said to reassure him as she sensed how nervous he was.

"Your mom was just making lunch so I'll let you put away your bags before we go eat." My dad said. I nodded and Ashton followed me inside, his eyes went to the huge piano in the living room immediately.

"That is the piano Claire left me, if something ever would happen to her, I would get her piano. It's a pretty amazing one and still in great shape for being 30 years old." I said once we were in my room.