Ray ||l.h.||

2.2

She's not alright. 

Ray is a lot of things, as she holds Luke's hand in a strong and clammy grip—and that's how she knows she's not okay, because she usually keeps her sweaty hands far away from Luke's. She's very anxious, slightly nauseous, and kind of ready to run away. Definitely not alright.

She kept up her good mood until the GPS told them that they'd arrived. Ray hasn't said anything to Luke yet, but that's because she doesn't have to; he, along with anyone else who took one look at the girl, could tell.

"Ray, we don't have to do this." Luke says, startling her out of her thoughts and stopping both of their footsteps. Granted, they were barely moving, since Ray was taking baby steps up their walkway. 

She wishes Luke wouldn't have given her this out, though he's just trying to be a good boyfriend—which he is. Ray just knows that now if she goes through with this and the sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach is right, then it'll be her fault for not backing out and going home. She can't just go home, though. They've already driven here, and it'd be embarrassing to go and tell everyone that she was a big chicken and didn't even make it to the welcome mat. 

"Yes, I do." Ray sighs, willing her legs to start moving again and leading Luke along behind her. She briefly wonders if they could just sit in the car and wait for one of her cousins, or her aunt or uncle to notice them. It seems easier than knocking on their door, right now.

After finally making it to the porch and standing still for almost a minute, Luke tugs Rays hand until she turns to him. "Ray, what's wrong?" 

Luke's learned by now to tip toe around asking Ray questions like those. She's insanely grateful for it.

Though, she doesn't really know what is wrong. She's thinking many different things, and they're all the opposite of good. Maybe they won't even open the door, maybe they'll hate her for burdening them with guilt over her being blinded—ha. 

"I don't know. I think I'm just freaking out." Ray attempts to pair her words with a smile, but it ends up looking more like a pained grimace. Luke frowns, pulling the girl into his arms and resting his chin on the top of her head.

"You know, when I first brought up the idea, I didn't think you'd do it," He mumbles an appeasing apology when Ray grunts at his words, then presses a kiss to her forehead to further show that he didn't mean any harm. "But, you're here, and everything's gonna be fine."

Ray nods against his chest, taking a few deep breaths to compensate for the shallow in-and-outs she'd taken in the car. Luke may not be one hundred percent right, but he's probably onto something, because, really at most Ray will end up something she'll later think was stupid.

She uses another second to gather herself, but jumps away from Luke at the sound of the front door opening. Great first impression, she snaps at herself.

"Hello?" A boy, TJ, is rightfully confused as to why there are two people cuddling outside of his house. 

Ray gives him a small smile, lacing and unlacing her fingers together behind her back. "Hi, TJ. It's me, Ray." She's feels as surprised as her cousin starts to look, because she was worried about stumbling over her words.

"Did I hear Ray?" Her aunt's voice carries through the living room and Ray's rib cage takes a beating from her heart. Aunt Monica audibly rushes to the doorway and a grin splits her face when she sees Ray. "Oh my goodness."

The woman brings Ray into her arms and, okay. Ray feels more than awkward, but she doesn't know what other word to use to describe how she feels. She puts her arms around her aunt, sure, but she doesn't reciprocate the happiness expressed by her.