Beneath the Surface

Chapter 11

A  week have passed since the whole sleeping pill incident. Things are beginning to look a little better for me. I'm not saying my life is all happily ever after or anything. It's just slightly more tolerable.

Even though the entire swim team knew about my relationship (yes, I'm finally okay with saying that Me and Arnesto are officially a couple),  it was okay. I was becoming okay with it and we were quickly becoming old news. We hardly even get noticed anymore.  I mean I know several of the girls are very jealous, especially Brittany (which brings me a lot of satisfaction),  but they usually didn't talk badly about me and him.  There is some friendly teasing every now and then, but no one has been thrown in the pool again.

The main difference I've noticed on the team is the comment that gets made almost constantly.  Whenever Arnesto and I  get too close to each other or accidentally bump, or heck, sometimes by just looking at each other, there would be an eruption of "no purple" from everyone. It took us forever to figure that out. Apparently, boys are blue and girls are pink. When they touch, purple is made.Well they really don't have to worry about that. The only kisses me and Arnesto have shared were occasional cheek kisses.

So my school life got better at least got better, and my home life? Well, it is what it is.  My family allowed me to invite Arnesto yesterday to join us today for thanksgiving (I think my parents waited until last minute to have me invite him so he'd be more likely to say no , but it didn't work).

He'll be arriving soon. I set the table with an extra plate. I find an extra chair.  I'm doing everything I can to ready the house for his arrival (mom hates having guest over since she is always convinced we live in a dump but our house is just fine) to keep myself busy. The anticipation is killing me.I'm so excited to see him, I almost forget there's a pumpkin pie with my name on it. Almost.

I hear a car pull up in our driveway and my two dogs, Cindy and Fudge go crazy. I  have to pull them out  from the window and answer the door. I walk up to the door and take a deep breath. I fix my hair a little with my hands before I reach for the handle. 

 I put on a big smile as I swing the door open. "Happy thanksgiving!" I say when I great him at the door.

"Thanks! You too!" he replied, also returning my smile. He gives me a hug and a quick kiss on my cheek. " I brought you guys a little something." In his hands were what appear to be a bag of tortilla chips and a container of what looked to be homemade salsa.

"Mmm. That looks amazing," I say.  I love salsa. Just the thought of it is making my mouth water. I move aside and he enters the house.  I close the door behind him beforeI take the food from him and set it on the table.

I then take his arm and walk him into the kitchen to introduce him to me dad. They exchange names and a firm handshake. 

"Good to meet you" my father says, trying to be happy. His very persona is very grumpy and I think he might still be upset about the whole practice issue last week. Either way he try to be polite. "I probably couldn't choose a better boy for my daughter to date".

 I hear the sarcasm in his voice, but I do my best to hope Arnesto didn't notice  and took it as a compliment. "Aw thanks daddy. How long until the turkey is done?"

"About 20 minutes." He answers me. When he looks up at me, I give him a look that shoots daggers hoping that he'll get the message and clean up his act a little bit.

"Ok then. We'll be in my room. Call us when it's done.". He acknowledges me with a wave as he goes back to the turkey, mumbling under his breath. I didn't catch what he says, but he didn't look happy. Considering he called me a slut last week, I'm surprised he didn't object in the slightest. Maybe he did get my earlier message to behave.

We go to up the stairs, down the hall and to the left and enter my room and sit on my bed. We sit there quietly for awhile, both of us unsure what to say or do. After a minute of awkward silence, Arnesto puts his hand on my leg and starts rubbing my thigh.

I  quickly grab his wrist and pull it off. "Whoa there buddy!  Slow it down a bit. You do realize we haven't even kissed yet right?"

He looks at me like a hurt puppy dog.  "My soft angel, I've been wanting to kiss you since the day I met you. I just wasn't sure if or when you'd be ready."

I look at him with a smile "Well now sounds pretty good to me."

 Arnesto scoots a little closer to me on the beg and angles himself towards me. He puts his hand on the side of my face and leans in close. I lean closer to him and close my eyes. I can smell his sweet minty breath. Our lips are  just about to Touc-

"LILLY! THE FOOD IS DONE!!!!" My little brother Rodger screams as he bangs on the door. 

"Ok. Ok. We're coming. Calm you tits or you'll break my door"I say as I get up to answer him. Figures. Brothers sure know how to kill the moment.

Arnesto follows me back downstairs to the table and he sits down in the chair next to me. My mother and father sit on opposite ends and my brother sat across from us.

We say grace and pass around the food. There was turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, corn, green beans,stuffing, dumplings(my favorite), and of course chips and salsa. At first the dinner went well because everyone had their mouths full, but once plates started to clear, questions went flying.

"How did you two meet?" My father asked trying to fill up the silence that had filled up our table.

"We're on swim team together, " Arnesto answered. 

"Ah. I guess I should have guessed that since your in such good shape, " my father replied. 

"I also have a gym membership," Arnesto says. "I like to keep my muscles looking good and healthy. Plus the compliments are nice too so thank you."

" See? You can't just assume that darling," my mother answered. She was chewing some of the tortilla chips. " I could have told yoou right away he must work out or something, It can't be just swimming. I mean Lilly is on the swimteam too and look at her body. She's huge! I mean I'm surprised they can even find a suit to fit her."

 I hear forks clink against plates in the silence that follows. I can't believe my own mother just said that. I put my silverware down and stop eating, suddenly self conscious. I sink down in my seat and hide my face as I feel my face begin to redden. Arnesto comes to my rescue and tries to change the subject. "This turkey is amazing Mr. Johnson. Did you make all this yourself? It's all very goo-"

My mother cuts him off with a wave of a hand.  "Oh we're well aware of what a good cook my husband is, especially Lilly. She always asks for more. Can't you tell? Why you'd think with all the swimming, she would have a nice body and would be beautiful. Sadly no. All I'm left with is a terrible excuse for a daughter. Why w-"

"Enough!" Arnesto shouts slamming his hands into the table. He sees the tears rolling down my face and grabs my hand. He turns to my father "thank you for the wonderful meal. I think it's time for us to head over to my parents place. It was nice meeting all of you." He shoots my mom a look of disapproval.

We walk together out of the room and just as we hit the door I hear my mother mumbling under her breath. I couldn't hear what she said, but Arnesto must have because he shot her another dirty look. I quickly grad a jacket for the closet near the door and walk to to the car. 

 I try to manage a weak smile for him. I appreciate how he stood up for me and all, but it can't last forever. I mean he's here right now to fight for me now, but what will I do when I  have to return home later? He can't be here all the time...unfortunately.