The dinner
' People don't know you until they hear about you're past and how you changed it to become who you are in the future. . .'
Saturday
"Luna? How are you awake before me?" I asked rubbing my eyes as I walked out of my room.
She was smiling and laughing, she's the reason I woke up. When I saw her, she was sitting next to Jay and Gemma; Charlie right beside her, staring at her
His face had the look of a love sick puppy. He loved her so much.
" Sorry, I couldn't help but wake up when Jay's kid was about to cut my hair! I was so close to getting a free haircut!" She shouted, the look of worry was all over her face as she was telling me the horror of waking up to find a 5 year old holding scissors and a portion of her hair. It was a horrible sight to wake up to.
"Again, I'm sorry about that. Jack can be a bit of a trouble maker when he's in a new place." Jay apologized making me smile.
"Well, I know where he got it from. " I said before going into the kitchen to get some coffee.
"Hey! I heard that!" Jay called out making me laugh.
I walked back out and stood behind them on the couch," I know." I sipped my coffee.
She gave me a scowl. "I wasn't that bad."
I raised my eyebrows," Says the one who got us in trouble senior year for driving top less because it was over 100 degrees."
Luna gasped while Gemma laughed remembering being the one who bailed me out of jail. My mother till this day does not know about that, nor will I tell her.
" Wow Raea! I didn't know you were a crazy teen!" Luna laughed.
I shook my head," Because I wasn't. I was always the getaway car, the accomplice." Everyone laughed as James walked out in a sleepy state.
" Who was an accomplice? " He asked in the groggy voice I loved.
He kissed my forehead and walked to the kitchen for coffee. James was the one who got me into coffee, he makes it so sweet and perfect that I had to learn and make it for myself. I'm officially an addict now.
"Oh nothing, just that your girlfriend was a wild teenager and didn't tell us." Luna said non chalantly shrugging her shoulders. I smacked her arm in protest.
James stood behind me, a hand on my shoulder while he drank his coffee. After a sip he chuckled, " Wild teenager huh?"
Everyone nodded except Jay who laughed. "If wild meant protective and always the buzz kill then yeah."
I smacked my lips together and eyed her in a playful manner. "Whatever."
Luna smiled and shrugged," We can't help it that Raea is the greatest friend we can have." Everyone's eyes went back to me and rolled my eyes. I never liked being too emotional towards my friends, it was too much for me sometimes.
"Alright, that's enough talk for today. Let's get ready so we can go out and sight see!" I said stopping the aww's that were erupting from the living room and going to my room.
That night
" I can't thank you enough for doing all this, really."
James was fresh in a black and white suit that he bought just for this night. Even though I know it's a bit much just for a dinner, I like how he wants to impress and dress for the occasion. I love him for that.
" I did this because I love you and I wanted you to meet my friends. Also, I have news for everyone, so I thought why not?" He remarked while he tied his tie, because no matter how many times he teaches me, I'll never quite master it. But I don't mind him teaching me over and over again.
"Well I love you too, and I'm excited to meet your friends." Adding a last touch to my lipstick, we headed out of my room and went out to meet my friends who were waiting in the living room.
"Ready?"
At dinner, we had the biggest table in the middle of the restaurant meaning everyone would have their eyes on us if we were loud. And sense all my friends are going to be here, obviously it's going to be loud. Meaning everyone will be staring at us.
When we arrived Luna and Danny were chatting up with Jay keeping her up to date with my love life and my crisis with which boy to choose, knowing it'll get me angry. So they kept their distance. Also because James was around so they didn't want him to hear.
" Is this table good for you guys?" Asked the waiter. He was smiling happily at us as I nodded, while James answered in response. We all sat down while our waiter took our drinks.
After we were done ordering we all got settled. But as soon as everyone got situated the table grew quiet which wasn't normal for my group of friends.
Luna stood up and said," Well Raea, since I didn't really give you a gift for your 22nd birthday this past year, I decided to get you your present tonight along with James's help. " She motioned behind me and I looked her way.
When I turned around I saw my mother smiling and waving at me. I immediately stood up and hugged her feeling so happy she could be here tonight especially since she hasn't been to New York in so long. I missed her so much, even if it has been just a couple months since we last saw each other.
" What are you doing here?" I asked.
She smiled," Well James called me and said you guys were all getting together for dinner tonight. Luna gave James the idea to come and have dinner with you guys. " She glanced to the greatest people in the world.
" I thought I might as well since I haven't been here in so long and I missed you."
She caressed my cheek like she always did making me smile. " I'm so happy you came it wouldn't have felt like family if you weren't here. " i said hugging her once more.
I walked her to the seat next to mine and we sat down. A couple minutes passed by until James' friends came. He only had a couple friends that I hadn't met but the rest I had when we went out for lunch last month. They're all really funny and sweet. James was such a jokester around them making me love him more.
We started talking once our drinks came. I've never seen James so happy than when he was in this moment just hanging out with all of our friends. But then a couple minutes later I noticed he got up and went out to the front leaving me with questions as to why he left.
When he came back in, there were two older people behind him. They must have been his parents by the resemblances they all shared. He had his mother's eyes.
When we caught each other's gaze, he motioned me to go over to him. He introduces us.
" Raea, this is my mother Leanne and this is my father Justin. Mom, Dad this is my girlfriend Raea."
His mother smiled and engulfed me in a hug. She smelled of peppermint and lavender.
"Hi, it's so nice to meet you! I've heard so much about you!" She greeted enthusiastically.
I smiled, " Me too!"
Leanne looked at me with confusion at the mention of James telling me stuff about myself.
"I mean about you. I've heard so much about you. James told me stuff. . . . About. . You. . " i watched as she looked at me as if I were crazy. So I just stopped talking and decided to greet his dad.
"Hi, it's nice to meet you." I greeted putting my hand out to shake, but he just stared at me with an unhappy expression.
I put my hand down.
"Dad, please don't be rude." James said standing next to me and wrapping an arm around my waist.
He didn't say anything, all he did was stare at me then walk to the table.
My eyes went to James as he put his hands on my shoulders to stop me from going into tears.
"Don't mind my dad. He's always been a hard ass. It's just his thing, don't take it too serious. Please."
I knew I should listen to James when it came to his parents because obviously I didn't know them personally. But I still had the feeling that they knew something I didn't. Which puts me on edge.
I nodded to reassure James that I wasn't over thinking this, but really I was. He smiled.
Well this just got interesting .
**********
Please vote and comment!
