Player's Game

17 - Party

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part I

Andrew

"Are you ready?" Tiana smiled joyfully. I took a big breath and nodded. I wanted this, and I meant it. Why was I so afraid about doing this when there was no bone in my body that said no?

Tiana's happiness and encouragement blew me away, as did her seriousness did too. This was an important turning point for us, and today she chose to show me that this was no longer a game. The excitement had only grown fonder within me, but so did the nervousness as it was coming closer to jumping out of this window.

"I'm so nervous. I've never been so nervous about meeting any girl's parents before. This is the first I have ever met any girl's parents." I rattled and rambled on, putting a hand to the back of my head. She looked up at me with a skittish laugh and wrapped her fingers around the collar of my shirt smoothing it down.

"You have no idea how long it has been since I introduced a boy to my family. They are already so sceptical since my last, so worried that I will be hurt again but I want this, if it is you I will risk it all," she says almost playfully; Although the happiness was radiating through us both, her eyes it glimmered with more fear and so much doubt. With a heavy but honest heart, I did not hesitate to pull her closer into my embrace, kissing her lips softly and passionately. She took a soft breath and gave in to me as she moved closer into my embrace. My smile grew soft and so it seemed hers did too.

"I wish I could take away the pain he had caused you and, if I can't I will be the man to give you the fairy tale you deserve, Tiana Cross. You own me now and forever."

Her eyes diverted big and as her lips parted, the love in her eyes had grown bigger with each second she stared. It was no longer playful where there was no longer a need to be anxious knowing that my truth would forever be held by God. I did not have to say that I love her, nor did she, we already did in ways that can not be any more clear.

Tiana's phone had chimed through the room, breaking our contact and each a flinch. She took a heavy breath and pulled away to fetch her phone that sat on her bedside table.

"Hey, Maria. Yes, I am coming, Andrew is picking me up. Yes, I don't know his outside waiting for me. Okay, I will see you soon, watch your drinks and save me the rest."

Tiana hung up, laughing and shaking her head then returned to my embrace, my arms flung around her, "Do we need to go over the plan again." she glowed. I shook my head with a smile, "Window, door, handshake and dash." Tiana bobbed with approval.

"Let's go."

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I immediately combed over my hair as neatly as I believed it could be, looking down at my shirt to brush off the last bits of dust and leaves that had stuck to me. I had never felt so nervous and unsure in my life; my hands were clammy and my breath was ridged. I was enough aware that this was more terrifying to me than having a gun to my head. I was very certain that I had never felt this confident about anything in my life.

I swallowed my last bit of nerve and proceeded to knock on the wooden door both low enough to convey my confidence to her family and loud enough to let her know my presence. I was in awe as Tiana opened the door, smiled, and revealed a completely different side to herself, acting as though we were meeting for the first time. Her confident demeanour and playful, knowing smile grew.

"Hey, Andrew." She had said, "Hi, Beautiful." Just as we had intended. Not everything has to be by the books. After all, it is up to me to make a good impression on her family, and hopefully, if this night turns out right as I hope tonight will be the night I will tell her how I feel and make her mine.