The Story of Our Lives

Welcome Home

"I wanted you to have a good surprise for when you came home. I know we've known each other a day but you know all about me in that time. I feel like I know you so well and want you to feel safe here." he said beaming and not letting go of my hand. "While we were out I asked Alice and Elliot to get some decorations and stuff for when we came back." he said while Alice and Elliot waved and introduced themselves to me.

"We've heard so much about you Damien. And Adam has never been so happy." Alice said giggling. Adam and I just blushed. I couldn't look at him.

"Hey don't be embarrassed. It's all good stuff I promise. Don't you worry." Elliot said smiling at me. I looked up at Elliot and then Adam and smiled.

"Do you want a drink?" Adam asked me. I nodded. "Pepsi?" I nodded again. I followed him into the kitchen while he grabbed the drink.

"Thank you, but I would have got it you know." I said smiling.

"I know. I just wanted to and plus I need to ask you something while we're alone." he said. My heart started racing. He definitely clocked that because he said, "don't worry nothing bad. I just wanted to make sure you were okay and not overwhelmed with Alice and Elliot being here. I know that public spaces and a lot of people all at once can make you nervous." he said. How the fuck did he know that. We spoke so much in the past 2 days I can't actually remember what I've told him. This must have shown on my face because he put his hand on my shoulder.

"You talk in your sleep. You started saying that you wanted to meet my friends that I went to see Moulin Rouge with but didn't want to speak to me about it but at the same time you hate meeting people in public spaces.' Hence being here in the house." he said. I just started blushing again.

"What else did I say?" I asked nervously. Adam chuckled.

"Nothing other than you like pillow fights and Come What May. If drunk Damien is anything like tired Damien, this is something I really want to see." he said giggling. "But seriously. Is this okay?"

I pulled him into a tight hug. "This is perfect. Thank you so much. For this and for everything. You didn't have to go all out like this but I really do appreciate it. How can I make it up to you?" I responded.

"No thanks necessary. I just want you to be safe and happy." he said in my ear.

"Why are you so nice to me? We've only just met and you've already invited me to stay with you. I literally could be a serial killer." I asked him. He just chuckled.

"I already know that you're a serial killer. You can't hide that from me. I saw that cornflake you stepped on at your dads house." he said laughing harder now. "But in all seriousness. I don't know. I just saw something in you and you seemed like a nice guy and I wanted to help you out."

As the evening went on I got to talking with Alice and Elliot. I found out that they were together and had been for 5 years. Elliot pulled me aside to tell me that he's going to ask Alice to marry him in a few months. I squealed ever so slightly. As we know, I am a hopeless romantic therefore I absolutely ADORE proposals and weddings. He smiled at me and told me that he had already spoken with Adam about this but wanted an outside opinion.

"What do you think of me taking her for a picnic on the river and then popping the question?" he asked.

"Okay, firstly. YES. Secondly. I have an idea okay. Stop me if you don't want it." I said and paused waiting for his reaction. He looked to the side and then back at me. "Okay. So what you can do is go on a walk or a drive to every place you went to together on dates and then Adam and I can wait at the river with the picnic all set up with champagne and music and a blanket and grapes. And then, my dad knows a guy who has a little row boat so then you can take the boat out at sunset and watch the sunset from the water and then ask her to marry you, but I wouldn't suggest kneeling just in case the boat tips. Or if you want to kneel then do it before the boat. But either way, Adam and I can be around taking photos if you so wish." I said excitedly.

"Bloody hell you're good." Elliot said laughing.

"Now that is the blessing of a hopeless romantic." I chuckled.

"Well that would be amazing. I love her with all my heart and want to make this moment special." he said with the biggest grin on his face. We then heard movement from the living room so we decided to swap numbers and talk about it more in detail at a time where Alice wasn't in the next room.

The evening drew to a close with us playing truth or dare. Nothing particulary exciting happened as we were all relatively sober and all of us very mature. It was 11pm when Elliot and Alice left. We said our goodbyes and thanked them for coming. I was so grateful I had made 3 already close friends in the space of a day. All that time in high school I spent distancing myself from people was stupid. I see that now. Although Elliot, Alice and Adam can't compare to anyone else.

"What do you want the sleeping arrangement to be tonight?" Adam asked me.

"I don't want you to be uncomfortable." I replied.

"Both of us in the bed?" He asked smiling.