I sat anxiously in the dining room as Darren stared at me. It was time for dinner and Andre and I joined them on the table. I never even considered having dinner with Andre's family and it was nerve wrecking.Everybody seemed relaxed as the began to fill their plates then there was Darren, who kept his eyes on me while making no attempt to get any food.Seeing that, like me, he was the only one who didn't know who I was. Everyone behaved familiar with me and he might have been feeling as left out as I did when Andre first joined us.I waved at him and he dropped his gaze to his plate, making me feel even more awkward."Does your brother hate me?" I whispered to Andre and he laughed."No. He's just curious.""I see." I looked at my plate and saw that he had put food on it. "Thanks.""No problem. You're okay with carrots, right?""I love them," I mumbled as I got a piece and put it in my mouth.He chuckled. "

I kept my gaze on the ground as I thought of possible outcomes and reactions. Andre and I had just got out of the bus and the walk home was torturous. I kept my pace slow and Andre matched mine so that he wouldn't leave me behind. Saying that I was terrified was an understatement. My hands were shaking and my heart was pounding against my ribs. I talked to my mother yesterday to inform her of our arrival and she barely said a word. I didn't know what to expect. My father was obviously furious since I left without communicating but it was with reason. I couldn't risk jeopardizing my own plans if I said something. I heaved a heavy sigh and lifted my gaze to the house a few minutes away. It was now or never. I couldn't reach this far only to back out. "Calm down," Andre said with a gentle smile as we walked into the front porch. "I am calm," I retorted and he chuckled softly. "If you grip the straps of your bag any tighter, your knuckles will turn white." I loosened my grip. "Are

  T/w; Trauma story ahead. Read with caution.  The living room was silent as dad and I watched the large TV screen that had a movie playing in low volume. I nervously fidgeted with my hands as I tried to ignore the suffocating atmosphere that clearly filled the room. Dad didn't say anything but I could see that he was genuinely enjoying the movie. I looked into the hall and my shoulders slumped in defeat when I saw that the kitchen door was still closed. Those guys had no plans on letting me in anytime soon, did they? My father cleared his throat loudly and I looked at him. "Yes?" "Are you that anxious to see what they are doing?" He asked with a soft smile and I did my best to relax. "Uhm, yeah." He nodded thoughtfully. "I wanted to ask if you had an idea." "I just came back." "From work?" I shook my head. "From meeting my friends." "I see." "I went alone since I was having a t