Skinny Love - Newtmas

Chapter Twenty Eight

We all sit around the dinner table, me and Thomas sit across from Peter, Teresa and Chuck, Thomas's parents sit on either end of the table.

Thomas holds my hand under the table where we're out of view, I still feel uncomfortable being so close with him under the watch of his family. But besides that I have started to feel a bit more comfortable with conversation, the majority of his family seems very nice. His father very obviously doesn't like me, but I'm trying to take Thomas's advice and ignore him.

Everybody chitchats a bit but for the most part everybody is eating silently. "This is a lovely dinner," I tell Thomas's mother.

"Oh thank you Newton, I'm glad you like it." She smiles at me. Thomas must've told her my full name, which I don't really mind, even though I prefer to be called Newt sometimes it's nice to hear somebody say my full name.

"Peter do you want to play XBox after dinner?" Chuck asks while chewing his food.

"Yeah sure." Peter shrugs, taking a swig from his water bottle.

"Newt, Thomas, will you guys play too? It's more fun if you have more players!"

Chuck looks so excited I would feel bad saying no, I should try and spend time with him anyways. "Sure I'll play. Thomas do you want to?"

"I might just watch you guys." He smiles at me.

"Aww okay, we can play with three!" Chuck says.

*

Everybody finished dinner and cleaned up their plates, now Chuck, Peter and I all sit in the smaller living area with controllers in our hands. Thomas sits in the larger living room with the rest of his family but he watches us over the back of the couch, a smile on his face.

I'm a bit on edge being with Thomas's brothers alone but attempt to fit in.

"Do you know how to play?" Peter asks me.

"Uh...kind of?" I laugh awkwardly.

Peter chuckles and teaches me the basics and soon we're all playing some war game together. I have no idea whatsoever what I'm doing so my character dies pretty much instantly. All three of us laugh and I glance into the other room, Thomas has a wide smile plastered on his face and he gives me a subtle thumbs up. Blushing I nod to him and turn my attention back the the video game.

Three rounds later I start to get the hang of things and manage to stay alive for more than ten seconds.

"Hey Newt," Chuck says, not taking his eyes off the screen.

"Hmm?"

Chuck quickly looks into the other room which I assume is to see if Thomas is listening, which makes me a tad bit nervous. He turns his attention back to the screen and talks without looking at me.

"I think you're cool... I'm happy you're dating Thomas."

I smile and look over at Chuck, not caring what's happening in the game at the moment.

"Thank you Chuck." Glancing at me Chuck smiles shyly before laughing out.

"Ha! I got you again!" I groan, looking up to see my character's blood splattered across the screen.

"I'm so bad at this game!" We all laugh and start up another round.

*

I've been stealing looks at Thomas for the past few rounds and he's been talking quietly with his mom. This time when I glance up I see him wiping his eyes with the back of his hand, he's crying.