Take It All Away

Chapter 23

"My mom has called like a thousand times," Chris said through the phone while I purchased a few things to take home. "Anna, for God's sake let's go!" 

It was Thanksgiving break. Lisa had invited us to spend the weekend with Chris' family, she remembered I promised her I was coming to celebrate my first (and last) American Thanksgiving dinner with the Evans. 

"Don't be annoying Chris, it's been less than five minutes since I left you in the car park." I answered a bit stressed. "We're not even late!" 

I got in the car cursing the hell out of me. "I'm here, now you can start driving!" 

Chris was perplexed, maybe he had never seen me like this before. "Babe, what's wrong?" 

I breathed in and out for like a year, I swear. "Nothing, let's just go, okay?"

From where we were to Lisa's house was almost an hour by car. Half of the ride we were so silent it started to deafen my ears.

"Can you tell me what happened in there?" Chris took the dare to speak first. 

"I don't know," I muttered. "I just got stressed by nothing, Sarah called me to ask me some stuff about our final project, then you called rushing me, then I ran out of cash and I had to pay with my credit card, then people pointed at me with their phone cameras and don't know what is happening right now, I'm just-"

"Slow down, baby, slow down," Chris reached my hand and caressed it with his thumb. "You're stressed and that's okay, you're a human, you can feel that way sometimes."

I chuckled. "I'm mad, don't make me laugh." 

"Oh sorry, I love seeing you smile, so," he kissed the back of my hand. "What did you buy, by the way?"

I grinned. "A quick Christmas present for your mum. I forgot I won't be able to see her before I leave." 

Chris melted into a puddle. "None of my past girlfriends had done that!" He said with a bittersweet tone.

"I'm glad to be the first, then!" I smiled trying to avoid the other topic. "And looks like PopSugar thinks the same." 

Yes, my face popped out while I scrolled through my Facebook timeline. "How's that?" Chris frowned.

"Is Anna buying presents to her boy's family? We'd love to see Chris' face when they unwrap them!" I read out loud. We remained silent for a few seconds. 

Suddenly I decided to spoke. "I don't know, but this shit doesn't affect me anymore." 

Chris relaxed way too much, enough for me to notice. He also smiled incredibly satisfied. "I've been waiting my whole life to hear those words." 

We finally arrived to Boston and were very welcomed by the whole Evans family. Chris' aunts were fascinated with me, Chris was updating his cousins' life and Lisa was the happiest woman on the entire country. Chris' dad was also there with his family! 

For me, it was one of the best evenings I've ever had. I ate A LOT, and drank a bit more than I expected. I called my mum to say thanks for have given me the life, also called my dad and cried a bit because I hadn't heard his voice since last year before I came to The U.S.. I called the girls too and smiled every time they thanked me for have chosen them as my friends. 

"I'm grateful for have met you," Chris whispered in my ear while everyone was eating. 

A huge smile appeared on my face. "I guess I'm grateful for have met you too," I cupped his face in my hands and kissed him. 

"I see you're less stressed now," Chris said. "What about if I make you feel non-stressed at all?" 

I knew what that smirk on his face meant. "What about if we wait until everyone leaves?"