Simple invitation

Seating on the edge of my bed, I fixed my sight on the most valuable thing I owned. Recalling everything that happened ever since I moved here, I wondered how my life came to this point. I got that it would not be easy, but it should not be this hard either.

When I came out here, I was determined to forget my past. Everything that would remind me of the pain I felt when I lost my brother. I believed it was working, at least the part about my brother. However, a new development occurred that revealed a different kind of circumstances.

Something about my past did not want to stay buried. I wished I could flick a switch, and I would instantly remember, but it was not that simple. It came, and it went without my permission. Then, add to the mix my involvement with Daniel and Nathan, which I was not expecting to happen.

"What's wrong with me?" Pulling my hair against my skull. It was not how I imagined my life would be. I was supposed to forget my past, get a decent job, meet a man, fall in love, and live happily ever after. Instead, I was more confused than when I left my hometown.

Eyeing the locket in my hand, I assumed that my father gave this to me when I was still young, the reason why I had no recollection of how it ended up in my possession. Upon closed examination, I noticed that the chain was broken, which probably caused it to fall in the first place and ended up in his bed. Ooooh, I did not want to remember that.

Nathan must have formed a temporary knot with the chain around the pendant, preventing it from slipping away. Remembering my dream, I carefully checked the locket for any latches. Surely enough, I found it. Subconsciously, I always believed that it was real. To convince my conscious mind, I needed the final proof.

I undid the meticulous lock based on what I saw in the dream, and with the last flicker of a finger, the secret locket revealed its content. I could see two young faces, beautiful, happy, and so much alive. Staring at their faces evoked the memories I probably buried deep down my consciousness. I could not stop it even if I tried. It started playing in my mind, like a movie. I watched the scene.

"Relax! I'm sure everything will be fine." Mia assured me as she started patting my shoulders.

"I don't know. Is this how you felt when Harry first introduced you to Mom." I tried to shake the feeling off. Maybe it would not be as bad.

"Yeah, sort of, but your mom was the best." She said without thinking, then realizing her mistake, she quickly added, "I'm sure his parents would be just as welcoming as Aunt Olive."

"I think you're right," she said, not exactly sure if she believed it.

Mia and I were waiting for the guys to come out from their lockers. We were heading to a party. The game just ended, and the team was celebrating tonight for winning and qualifying for the semis.

I was a bit nervous, not really. I was terrified because this would be the first time I would be in that house. I was not sure if his parents would be there. Would they like me? That was the biggest question that was bothering me.

When he told my brother about our relationship, Harry was supportive. Being his best friend, Harry trusted him because he was very responsible, kind, intelligent, and most importantly, they would become true brothers.

The party was in full blast when we arrived at the house. The team and our friends greeted us as we entered his home.

"Oh my, this is not a house." I pulled my brother to the side. "If this was a house, what do you call ours? A shed," I whispered to him.

His house was massive and intimidating. Staring at the things in front of me was not helping my nerves right now. I was so going to kill my brother when we got home. Harry assured me that his house was just like ours, maybe a little bigger. I knew he was rich but not this insanely rich.

"Relax, Scar." Harry teased her as he grabbed Mia and walked straight to the party.

"Ready to go inside," he asked. I nodded my head and let him guide me inside his house.

Loud music blasted coming from the inside and throughout the premises. People were busy chatting, drinking, playing games, and dancing, making the whole place chaotic. Most of the group gathered outside along the gigantic pool and expansive garden.

"Where are your parents?" She finally asked, still conscious that they might appear any minute.

He started running his fingers on his hair as she smiled apologetically. "About that. They are actually of the country on a business trip."

"But you said that I would be meeting them today," I stated with my most intimidating voice. If looks can kill, I was sure this boy, my soon-to-be ex-boyfriend, would be lying on the floor by now, lifeless.

"I'm sorry, it was Harry and Mia's idea. I knew now I should not have agreed." He took my hand and kissed it profusely, hoping that I would forgive him. Of course, I could not stay mad at him, so I accepted his apology.

I was able to breathe, relax and enjoy my time. If I had known that it would just be us around, it would have saved me from my anxiety. Instead, my good brother, her wonderful bestfriend, and my loving boyfriend played a prank on me.

The boys went to get us some drinks while Mia and I mingled with the other guests. We started dancing and drinking, where half of this crowd were minors, legally not allowed to have alcohol, including me. However, just like any other party, all hell broke loose.

Anyway, we were dancing at the poolside when he hugged me and whispered in my ear. "I want to show you something." The way he said it made me excited. I always loved surprises, but not the expensive ones. Just a simple flower or an act of kindness was enough to make me feel special.

"What?" I asked cheerfully. I guessed the alcohol was starting to kick in. I looked around my shoulder, but I did not see my brother and Mia around. They were probably making out somewhere. I was young but not blind. I sometimes caught them kissing. In truth, I was inexperienced but not stupid.

"A surprise." He started pulling me toward the wide stairs and up the second floor. We walked to a long hall and stopped at the last door. "This is my room. Would you like to come in?"

I could see that we were the only ones on this floor. I was not nervous because I could trust my life in his hands, especially my heart. I was not naïve too. "I'd love to see your room." I knew I was not only agreeing to a simple invitation to enter his room, but I was ready to consent to whatever was about to happen behind that door.