Tell Me The Truth -H.S. AU

30

I rush home after work to shower and get ready for dinner with Harry's family. I know I have met them all before and we've shared a meal, but I'm so nervous? It's weird.

I finish curling the last pieces of my freshly blow dried hair and pull on some jeans, throwing my green sweater over my head. I picked this up a few days ago, the color reminding me of a certain someone's eyes.

"Shit." I mutter, glancing at the clock on my wall. It's six-thirty, I have to leave now or I'll be late.

I quickly spray perfume on my neck and rush out of my room. I push Cas's door open, startling him so badly he almost falls of his desk chair.

"I need your keys." I tell him as I'm already grabbing them from his dresser.

"But-" he starts to protest but I'm already leaving his room.

"Thanks- love you, bye!" I shut his bedroom door again and jog down the stairs, checking my reflection one more time in the mirror by the front door.

I smile at the girl in the glass. Noticing the brightness of her eyes and the pink tint in her cheeks is more prominent than it has been in years. She looks happy.

Cas's car roars to life and I take off down the street, getting a little thrill at how fast his old Camaro can go.

I'm a very safe driver, and I would never do anything to damage my brother's car, it's his baby. But it would be a crime to not push the speed limit a little in a ride like this.

I make it to Harry's by six forty-seven, a record time. I step out of the car and smooth my sweater over my torso and take a step toward the main house, but don't go any further when I spot Anne sitting alone on the porch.

"Hi, honey," she greets me excitedly. "I'm so glad you made it."

She looks different from the last time I saw her. Smaller, more tired. Her face has a little less color and her smile isn't as big, but her eyes are as bright and full of warmth as ever.

"Thank you for inviting me." I continue walking toward the steps, feeling unsure of what to do without Harry here to guide me, like I'm intruding. "I was afraid I'd be late."

"Oh, no dear, in our family, everyone is late." She chuckles as I reach the top step and stand next to her rocking chair. "Dinner is actually at seven-thirty. I told everyone seven to hopefully get them on time."

I laugh with her and drop my shoulders a little, her welcoming presence putting me at ease.

"Would you like some tea?" She gestures to the small table between us and the empty extra cup. "Please, join me."

"Okay, thank you." I take a seat in the chair opposite Anne as she pours me a cup. I look around her through the window into the house, but my eyes snap back to hers when she looks up again.

"He's not home yet." She smiles knowingly and passes me my cup. "I asked him to stop by the store for me, my fault he'll be late."

"I was a little surprised when he invited me to dinner." I admit, taking a sip of the warm tea.

"You're always welcome here, Violet." Anne reassures me in a soft, yet firm, voice. "I haven't seen my boy this happy in a long time."

I freeze at her words and a flush runs up to my cheeks. I'm not sure what to say, but it doesn't matter because Anne continues.

"He started participating in more family meals and spending time with us again awhile back, not just when I got sick, but shortly after he met you." She catches my eye and winks at me. "He tells me about the adventures you two go on and how you make him laugh. It was hard to make him laugh, or even smile, for very long time, but you seem to have cracked the code, darling."