Highschool Clichés

~Chapter 31~

I'm damn near hyperventilating.

My palms are sweaty, fingers fidgeting as I pace across the room, breathing erratic. I know I agreed to this, but I can't help thinking that it was a decision made because it was a spur of the moment kind of thing.

"Babe," Seth's holds my cheeks in his warm hands, his eyes full of mirth. "Just calm down, she'll love you."

I glower at him. "Your my boyfriend, you're supposed to say that!"

He purses his lips, no doubt trying not to laugh. "So? You've been taking good care of me, I'm sure my mom will appreciate it." I break free from his hold, hands raised to slap him silly. He doges, his deep, husky laugh resonating throughout the room. I end up laughing along with him, my resolve breaking. I can't seem to stay mad at him for long... I'm not sure if that is a good thing or not.

"Get your mind out of the gutter, Muller, I'm serious."

He sits on the bed, the mattress sinking from his weight. "Come here," he gestures for me to come closer with two of his long, deft fingers. I sigh, and walk over to him, my mouth pull down into a slight pout. He grins at my expression, and flicks my bottom lip affectionately. "Tell me the real reason why you're upset."

There isn't a real reason, I'm just freaking out about meeting the most important person in his life. I can't say the same for myself though. There isn't anyone special I would want Seth to meet. My sorry excuse of a mother is definitely out of the question.

She'd be sure to send me to an early grave if she was to meet him, and that’s just not a risk I'm willing to take, not when Seth and I have been enjoying our glorious weekend together, that is, until his mom called to say she will be coming to the cabin a couple days before Christmas, earlier than she usually does according to Seth. With the early blockage of the roads, and the sudden bursts of heavy snow, it's obviously the logical option, but my mind can't seem to shut up about her acceptance of me.

"There's isn't a hidden reason, I'm just really nervous about meeting your mom."

He eyes me skeptically for a second, before pulling me down into his lap, nuzzling his face intooo my neck. He seems to like doing that a lot... "Fine, but just so you know, my mom is dying to meet you."

I pull away a little, "She is?" He nods, his expression soft. He stares at me seriously, his eyes roaming my face so intensly, I start feeling a bit self-conscious. "I love your lips..." I suck in a sharp breath. My tongue peeks out unconsciously from between my parted lips to wet them. His eyes follow the action, and my lips burn from his intense gaze, my mouth suddenly feeling as dry as the Sahara desert.

He leans in close, and I close my eyes, preparing to feel his plump lips on mine, when the door bell suddenly rings. Seth pulls away, looking as confused as I am about who it could be. We stare at each other, completely at a lost whether to answer the door or let the unknown person stay out in the cold.

The doorbell rings again.

I stand and follow Seth out the room to the door. His face is a carefully blank mask of indifference, but I know the truth behind it all. Beneath that I-can't-be-bothered attitude, lies someone who will do anything to protect the people he cares about, no matter the consequences, and that’s what makes him so vulnerable. I can see the boy who wants to have his old life back, peeking out through the darkness. I can tell because it's like looking into a well-disguised mirror. A mirror like mine...

Seth walks over to the door, and my anxiety skyrockets. Is it his mother? No, it can't be. She's not due here until a few more days... But what if she decided to come early to beat the heavy snow and traffic? The news did say that there could be a possible a snow storm in the coming days...