Recollections

The First Time We Met

The First Time We Met
(song of the chapter: Enchanted // Taylor Swift)

Elena is bounding up the cobblestone steps of her driveway, excitement oozing from her every movement. We've been talking about meeting each other's families since we became roomies at university together, but this is the first vacation from school we've been granted. University life is amazing, but Elena and I live so far from home. Our friendship has been growing stronger and that's one of the reasons; we understand one another's homesickness.

Now it might seem silly that instead of my driving straight from my campus to my parents front door, I'm staying at Elena's parents for two nights. Together we made the decision to meet each other's families, because we've grown so close that we want to share that personal aspect. We do everything else at college together, why not this too?

Elena rings the doorbell and peers over her shoulder at me with a funny smirk. "It's so odd ringing the doorbell to my house." She explains, turning back to the door.

Her back is to me but she speaks again. "You nervous?"

A giddy laugh escapes my lips. " About meeting my best friends family? Yeah right, if they're anything like you I'll love them." Elena starts to laugh at my response, but the door swings open cutting her off.

"Ellie!!!" An older women with the same dark hair as Elena, screeches from the doorway, her eyes alight with happiness as she wraps her daughter in her arms.

The woman's eyes open after a moment and fall on me, I smile sheepishly, feeling as if I just intruded on their moment. Her arms drop from Elena and she steps towards me, smiling widely. "You must be Erin! Elena has told me so much about you!" Elena's mother throws her arms around me and I courteously mimic the action.

"I'm Candice. Elena's father, Harold, isn't home at the moment. Come inside girls!" Candice motions for us to enter the house, now that our reunion has simmered down.

The inside of their house is gorgeous and I can't help but voice my thoughts. "Wow." I murmur in awe. Candice smiles at my reaction, but her comment is cut off by footsteps bounding down the stairs that are off to the left.

Mine and Elena's eyes are drawn to the sound and a tall figure emerges from the stairway. "Laney!" A deep voice calls.

Elena's eyes light up just as a handsome man comes trotting towards her. A dark haired boy with blue eyes stands before me, with his arms wrapped around my best friend and I can only hope that this isn't her long distance boyfriend that she's never mentioned at school.

"Austin!" Elena squeals hugging the tall boy back. Her face suddenly scrunches up and she pulls away. "God, you reek." She laughs.

Austin releases her from his hold and chuckles. "Yeah I was working out upstairs in mom and dad's new state of the art gym." He explains, swiping the sweat off of his forehead with the back of his arm.

My eyes are drinking in every part of him and I don't realize my jaw is nearly touching the floor until Austin clears his throat. My cheeks burn, embarrassed that he'd caught me gawking at his sweaty sides that are slightly exposed from the muscle shirt he's sporting.

"Austin this is my college roomie slash best friend, Erin. Erin this is my older brother, Austin." Elena introduces. I smile, extending my hand towards her brother.

Austin glances down at his sweaty palms and smiles sheepishly. "I'd shake your hand, but mine are extremely sweaty and I don't want to leave that impression on you." He smiles a heartbreaking smile at me, and I forget how to respond. Luckily he continues. "Laney, you didn't tell me she was hot on the phone."

Elena swats at Austin's arm, shooting him a glare. "Well Austin, it doesn't matter that she's hot because she's my best friend which makes her off-limits and you're dating Kate."

The words off-limits keep echoing in my head as I stare at Austin.

"Was." Austin murmurs, his eyes locked on mine. "I was dating Kate, but we've been done for a while, which means I'm single." Austin smirks, shooting a wink at me which nearly causes me to collapse.

"Whatever." Elena rolls her eyes and smiles my way, as she hooks her arm through mine and takes me to the kitchen for us to eat the dinner her mom has prepared.

Austin trails behind us, and I try to focus on my walking that way my knees don't buckle.