Changing Rythnms

Newbie

"I'm coming!"

I turned off the lights in my room and closed the door before heading downstairs. My parents were waiting impatiently by the door. 

"Eve you know we can't be late," My mom exclaimed closing the front door behind us. "We said we'd be there by 6."

"I know, sorry. I was trying to finish some work, " I lied.  

We had just moved from out of state into our new home in an upscale neighborhood, and my parents were eager to make friends. So when our next door neighbors invited us over for dinner, my parents couldn't have been more thrilled. I, on the other hand, would have preferred not to go. I never enjoyed social gatherings and had always preferred the comfort of home.

But my parents didn't really give me a choice this time.

We rang the door bell of our neighbors big brown house. A couple of seconds later, a short lady opened the door. " Hello, glad you guys could make it," She greeted with a big grin as she ushered us in.

"Aw the pleasure is all ours," my mom said waving her hand. The inside of the house was far more extravagant to say the least. A chandelier probably worth thousands of dollars hung above the dining table.  And the place was packed with people. Lots of people. I nudged my dad with my elbow. "I thought it was just gonna be us," I whispered uncomfortably.

"I thought that too honey. I guess not. But that's good, your probably gonna meet a few potential classmates," He laughed loudly as we took our seats at the long dining table. I felt my face grow hot. A few potential classmates. The last thing I wanted was to be introduced to my future classmates in such a setting. I pushed my glasses up and put on a courteous smile as people took their seats around us. 

"Hello, you must be the guys who just moved here." A broad shouldered man greeted my dad from behind. Dad got up to shake his hand.

 "Yes, fresh out of the big city." Dad replied flashing his bright smile. The man walked over and took a seat opposite us.

 "Yes, the big city. Nice to meet you guys." He shook my mom's hand. "I'm John. My wife and I are the hosts of this big dinner, " John reached for a napkin and wiped his mouth. 

"Yes, we're excited to get to know our new neighbors. Your house is very nice by the way." Mom said in admiration as she set her bag down. My parents were the most social beings I knew. They could leave anyone with a great first impression, make friends as easily as making tea. I was the opposite though. Perhaps being social is something you're born with. Or maybe something you learn from a young age, but once you've passed a certain age and still haven't learnt it, you're doomed to be an introvert. I'm sure that was what happened to me. As a child, I never cared to live an extroverted life. I was content with my science books and Charles Dickens' novels. Though I'm pretty open around people I know, you most likely won't catch me at a popular kid's party.  Yes, my parents and I were very different; the only things I inherited from them were brown hair, hazel eyes, and the ability to flash a welcoming smile. 

I looked up to see my parents and John looking at me, and it occurred to me that they might have asked me a question and were waiting on a response.  "Oh um, sorry, wasn't paying attention." I stuttered, sitting up. 

"Oh John was just asking of your interests, honey," Mom said. 

"Don't have much. Just science, math, and the violin." I nodded.

"Nice. You should meet my son. He's into music too, but his main gig is making art pieces. Not a lot of people know he does art though. He doesn't talk very much about it."

"Oh, that's fun. You know, she was't really into the violin, but we had to make her play it and now she loves it," Mom laughed. And before you know it, they were having a jolly conversation about the benefits of playing music.