ambivalent | hes

21

I took a deep breath as I checked myself in the mirror, smoothing out my dress before turning off the bathroom light.

The dinner was supposed to be just my Mother, Harry and I, but she thought it would be even better if we invited the whole family. I, unfortunately, wasn't told about this decision until the last minute, so I was forced to go upstairs and change into something more family appropriate. I exchanged a simple t-shirt and shorts for a tight black dress that I knew Harry would love and my mother would hate.

I sat on my bed, waiting for a text from Harry telling me he was here as the faint sounds of the voices of my family members gradually got louder as time passed.

My phone vibrated in my lap and Harry's name appeared on the screen. I answered it.

"Hey."

"Hey, babe. I'm here." He said as the sound of the car door closing could be heard in the background.

"Ok, I'll be right down."

I hurried down the stairs and reached the front door just as the door bell rang. My mother joined me by the door as I opened it.

Harry smiled at me, then turned to my mother.

"Hello, Mrs. Dean." He said, extending his hand to her.

They shook hands and we stepped aside so he could enter the house.

My mom went off to talk to one of my uncles and Harry and I stood by the kitchen.

"When you said your family was coming, I never imagined there would be this many people." He said, smiling at one of my cousins as they walked by.

"Neither did I, but my mom insisted that we invite everyone." I responded, unamused by my mother's decision.

One of my aunts came up to us, a huge smile on her face.

"So this is the boy your mother told me about." She said, looking at Harry.

"It's nice to meet you." Harry replied, preparing for a handshake but instead was pulled into a hug, the look on his face evidence that he was taken by surprise. I tried not to laugh.

"Oh," my aunt said as she pulled away, squeezing one of Harry's biceps. "He's strong."

"Thank you. I try." He said, making her laugh.

"You picked a good one, Lyla. If I was 20 years younger and not married I'd have to steal him from you."

Harry and I laughed, and thankfully someone called her name and she walked away.

"I think you've had enough of my family for now." I said, grabbing Harry's hand and heading for the kitchen.

"That wasn't that bad." Harry stated, waving to someone who called his name.

"It gets worse."

The only person in the kitchen was my mother, who was taking food out of the oven.

"Lyla, could you help me with this?" She asked, taking the lid off of a bowl.

I went over to see what she needed.