Made Of Glass

Reached

I am laying in my bed, with a thick book, that I have been obsessed with for the past few weeks, settled comfortably on my stomach. I hear a faint knock on my door and without looking up I say "Come in" and my door immediately opens.

I sit up and see my father standing at my door with a sly smile on his face. He is in his work attire consisting of a white button up shirt and black pants. His rich dark skin glistening under the soft light.

"Hey dad, what's up? Why are you smiling like that?"

He makes his way over and sits on the end of my bed.

"Hey sweetie, how have you been today?" I squint my eyes at him suspiciously.

"I'm okay dad, why are you acting strange?"

He breaks into a chuckle and holds my hand in his.

"So you know how I have always said we'd go on vacation every year, but between your mother and I, we could never decide on anywhere. Well since you've graduated, we thought this would be a perfect time to finally take you and your brother out." Although he is trying to keep a cool tone, I can practically see the excitement oozing off of him.

"That's great dad, I'm so excited already!"

He lets out another chuckle as I give him a hug. I'm finally going to have a vacation and be able to go out of my small town and actually explore the world.

"You don't even know where we are going yet sweetie."

"I honestly don't mind where we go dad, anywhere with you guys is going to be fun."

His eyes soften as I say that and he cups my face with his hands.

"Well I was having a chat with Dean's dad before they left for New York and he mentioned that they needed a few more people in order to book a cruise ship. And I obviously was not going to let an opportunity like that pass, so I asked if we could tag along! Obviously we are not going to be with them the whole trip but I thought this would be so great for us!"

My heart sinks and butterflies immediately erupt in my stomach at the thought of being with Dean. Being with Dean in another city. He calls me every night, and tells me about his day and what he's seen. His voice gets high pitched like he's almost squealing because he is so excited. And sometimes I can hear him pacing around his room because he has so much adrenaline coursing through him on certain days. It feels so weird not having him besides me or a car ride away.

"Ana? Sweetie?"

Thoughts of Dean and being with Dean fade away as I realise my father is still in my room, my face still in his hands.

"Oh, um yeah sure dad, that's sounds really fun."
I am trying to sound as nonchalant as possible but internally I am screaming at the top of my lungs.

"You don't sound excited at all Ana, you don't want to go on a cruise?" Dad's voice softens, almost as he is disappointed at my reaction and I feel an immediate ping of guilt.

"Dad, that's not what I meant. I promise I'm excited and you know I love the sea so obviously I want to go on a cruise. I just wasn't expecting you to say we'd be with Dean and his family, that's all."

"Oh, so this is about Dean, are you guys okay? Has he been in contact with you? He left so suddenly that day, he didn't even say goodbye to us."

"Yes we are fine, dad and yes he does call me. Wait, what do you mean? When did he leave suddenly?"

The sly smile returns to my fathers face. "You know sweetie, he isn't as slick as he thinks he is. Your mother and I saw him leave through your window before he left for vacation."

I can feel a blush running up my neck and heading towards my cheeks, and i try to hide my face in my hands. I can not believe they saw him.
I hear my father let out a hearty laugh and get up from my bed.

"You know sweetie, we do really like Dean." He declares as he makes his way out of my room and I hear the door shut.

"Dad!" I exclaim as I feel my face getting redder and I try and make myself as small as possible as if it will suddenly make me invisible. The thought of my parents liking Dean, and liking him as more than my friend is something I never thought I'd get to hear. I suddenly feel relieved by this unknown burden I was carrying of my parents actual feelings for Dean. More importantly, I am going to be on a cruise! With Dean! I wonder if he knows about this.