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*chirp* *chirp* *chirp*
The sounds of crickets echoed through the neighborhood as I meandered down the sidewalk. Their constant chirping helped let my mind wander.
“Why did I agree to this” I sigh out.
“Meeting the parents isn’t something that should be done this early in a relationship.”
A constant stream of indecisive thoughts cross my mind.
“Am I truly ready for this?” As I stare at the rays of sunlight peaking between the oak trees throughout the neighborhood.
“Did I wear the right outfit?” As I fiddle with hem of my flannel shirt. Unsure as I am about how this style suits me in the first place.
“I wish I brought my camera.” Looking at hues of pink and orange scattered in the sky. Photography is the one place where I feel free of the burdens of everyday life. The one place where I feel like I truly belong.
The squeak of my well worn shoes pierce my ears the longer I’m walking. Well, maybe crawling. I think a snail may move faster than I am at the moment.
I come to a stop under one of the few street lamps scattered around. The light flickering on just like my confidence in how this night will go.
“You can do this Max.”
“For Rachel” you breathe out.
“For Rachel you can do anything.”
I hang my head as I wipe my clammy hands on my jeans. “I really should’ve brought my camera. At least I could’ve used it to hide behind.” I take deeper breaths as I get closer to my destination.
I look at my watch; trying to distract myself from the inevitable. 6:47. “Better to be fashionably early than fashionably late. Probably.”
I come to a stop in-front of one of the nicest houses in Arcadia Bay. From the outside the house looks like the picture perfect house for any family. I see a light on upstairs in what I assume to be Rachel’s room.
“Can only make one first impression to your girlfriend’s parents. Better make it count.” I mutter out as I head towards the front door.
The closer I get the more surprised I am that there’s no sound emanating from inside the house. No TV, no talking, no pets ready to greet a passerby, no pots and pans banging from the kitchen, no sign that family is inside.
I come to a rest in front of the ornate door and ring the bell. A nice chime can barely be heard through the door. Soon after the sound of footsteps rushing down stairs can be heard as well. Rachel flings the door open before I can form another thought.
“You would show up half a hour early.” she says with a smirk.
Before I can reply she grabs my arm and drags me inside.
“I’m gonna show Max my room before we eat” She yells to someone in the kitchen. I hear a female reply, but I’m too focused on Rachel to notice more than that.
I see dim purple light emanating from a room near the top of the stairs and instantly know that’s where we’re headed. Right before we reach the top she stops and turns around to fully face me.
“Close your eyes. I want to give you the grand entrance.” she says with a flourish of her arm.
I grin as I close my eyes. She grabs my hand and helps to guide me into her room. She takes me a couple of steps inside of the room before coming to a stop.
“Keep those eyes closed until I tell you to open them.”
I hear heard move away and some vague cluttering before she starts counting down.
“3…..2…………….boop” she says as she pokes me on my nose.
“Rachel!”
Hahaha “Alright alright Caulfield you can open your eyes.”
As I open my eyes I’m assaulted by that same purple light that I had noticed from the hallway. I look around and notice the room screams Rachel.
From the clothes that are scattered everywhere. To the costumes I recognize from some of the various performances I’ve seen pictures of. Posters of various bands hanging on the wall. I recognize some of the ones Rachel has made me listen to, but the others may as well be Hieroglyphics as far as I’m concerned. I take one last glance around the room before looking at Rachel and the wide grin on her face.
“You haven’t even seen the best part yet.” She says
I raise an eyebrow in confusion and she points to the ceiling. I raise my eyes and let and an audible gasp.
“Oh my dog”
I can’t help but feel mesmerized at what I’m seeing. She has a projection of stars on the ceiling and I understand why she wanted this to be a surprise.
“They’re beautiful” I whisper out.
“Yea…..they are. Do you recognize them?” She questions.
I’ve tried to expand my horizons since I know how much Rachel loves to stargaze. I don’t recognize this one but if I think about what would Rachel love enough to have on the ceiling of her bedroom. I take a second to think, but the answers rams into me like a truck.
“Leo” I whisper out.
“Woop Woop! Score one for St. Maximus.” She shouts.
“This….This is all so beautiful” I stutter out.
“You think so?” She shyly questions.
I drag my eyes to her then and notice the shy smile she has on. She’s brushing her hair behind the ear white the feathering earring in it. I can’t help but gulp. Guess I’m not the only one nervous tonight.
“Everything in here is beautiful” I whisper out.
She flashes me a blinding smile then before breaking into a fit of giggles. I can’t help but join in as the tension seems to evaporate out of the air.
“Max Caulfield Shakespeare himself has would be jealous of your poetic endearments. When did you ever get so suave.” She says while giving be a sly grin. Thats more like the Rachel I’ve come to know.
“I’ve had a….a great teacher” I stutter out while I feel my face flush.
“I’m hella happy you came. Even if I’m not as close to my parents as I used to be this still means a lot to me.” Rachel says as she glides towards me with her arms outstretched.
She slides her arms around my shoulders with a gentleness I still can’t believe she posses. If anyone from Blackwell were to see her like this they would think she was possessed. Seeing Rachel so unguarded around me reminds me why I fell in love with her all over again.
“I love you” I whisper through the comfort of our hug.
Rachel pulls back to give me a dazzling smile and says “I love you too starlight”.
I relish the time when we can be together alone. The world and its problems seem so distant and far away. Staring into those beautiful picturesque blue eyes reminds me of that no matter what I’ll never truly be alone. I see her mouth moving but am so lost in my thoughts I didn’t hear what she said.
“What?” I squeak out.
“Are you wearing my shirt?” Rachel says with a laugh.
I turn bright red and murmur “I…..I always feel like I can’t take on anything when I’m with you. I never feel as close to you as when I’m wearing your cloths because I felt like I could use the confidence boost tonight.”
Rachel laughs as I can see the flush on her face from the declaration I stumbled my way through. At least I know she took the compliment the way I intended her too.
“The shirt looks amazing on you. I think seeing you in my shirt is giving me a boost of confidence as well.” She says while grinning like a Cheshire Cat. I really wish I had my camera to capture this heartwarming moment between the two of us.
“Rachel dinner's ready.” A feminine voice calls from downstairs.
“Are you ready partner?” She asks with an inquisitive look on her face.
“No” I gulp out. I can feel my hands become clammy with from my anxiety.
“Hey I’ll be with you every step of the way. We can even hold hands under the table the whole time if you want. Together?” She finally asks holding out her hand for me to take.
I take a deep breath to calm my nerves before responding.
“Together” I say with a nervous smile as I reach for her hand.
We can do anything and take on anyone as long as we’re together.