Don't Give up on Me

The holidays came and went in the blink of an eye. I had been to Texas and back, and managed to get along with my father fairly well at the Christmas dinner he prepared right before my departure. I was now getting ready for a New Years Eve party that Zack's family was hosting, meaning that I got to meet his extended family tonight. 

And let me tell you, I was beyond nervous. I didn't know at all what his family was like, save the few stories he shared with me. These random bits of information did nothing to help me, except make me conscious of how to dress. I couldn't look too casual, but I couldn't look too dressed up, either. 

I was a wreck, plain and simple. I could hear my brother chuckling from the doorway as I stood in front of my closet in a towel, frustrated that nothing could be deemed worthy in my eyes. My cousin Ariana had yet again overdone it with her free time and went crazy with her father's credit card, giving me another addition to my own closet. I leafed through these over and over until I dressed in a pair of pajamas and sat on my bed, frustrated.

"Andi, your boyfriend is going to be here in 45 minutes and you're not even dressed?" Maya, Ryan's girlfriend, asked from the doorway, a look of concern on her face. Her eyes seemed warm and friendly, but I couldn't tell if that was an act or not; Ryan had a tendency to bring home girls who looked nice but acted far from it once they dropped the nice-girl act. She hadn't really tried to get to know anything about me, either, even though she was at my apartment more than she was at her own. She never thanked me for the extra food I'd make for Ryan and I, and she also used excessive amounts of my shampoo and conditioner, and that is a huge deal to me. I didn't spend nearly $30 for both containers for her to use half in one shower.

"No, I'm not. I can't decide on anything." I admitted, sighing.

"Hmm..." she tapped her chin, then went to my closet. "Red, blue or black?"

"Red?" I replied tentatively.

She smiled, holding up a red skater dress with cap sleeves. It must've been a gift from my mother, because I would have never picked it out, due to the fact that I never had a good enough excuse to wear a dress. "Pair this with that little blazer and your black booties and you'll look fabulous."

I had to admit, it was perfect. "What about these black floral tights? Too much?" I asked.

"Not at all. Hurry, put this on so I can do your hair," she said, pushing me into the bathroom.

That's different, I thought as I carefully stepped into the tights, then my dress. Maybe she's finally trying.

"I can't believe I didn't see this dress in there. It's perfect for tonight," I said as she let the curling wand warm up. In the meantime, she sprayed my hair with heat protectant.

"Me, too. You look beautiful," she said warmly as she began to wrap a thick strand around the wand. She held it in place for five seconds before letting it go, the perfect curl falling onto my shoulder. "What's the occasion?"

"I'm meeting my boyfriend's family tonight," I replied. "I'm really nervous."

"God, I know exactly how you feel," she said dramatically. "Ryan told me about how your father's side of the family didn't like Mexicans, or anyone who isn't fully white. Since I'm half Filipino, I was so scared at the wedding. I'm so sorry that you have to go through that judgement, by the way. It wasn't blatantly obvious, but I could tell that you were being ignored by pretty much everyone. I felt the looks, too, honey, trust me."

"Thank God I wasn't the only one who noticed!" I exclaimed. "Everyone seemed to like you, though."

"For now. When they find out that I'm Filipino, it's over for me. But, I don't care. I'm not going to please everyone, you know?"

I nodded, as best as I could, anyways. "My mom would absolutely love you. You have the same attitude that she did about my dad's family."

"From what your brother tells me, she seems like a wonderful woman. We all make mistakes, but she's handled everything very well. Much better than my mother," she said, shaking her head slightly. "You're done!"

I looked at the waves my hair fell in to due to her softly brushing the curls out. I lightly hairsprayed them and thanked her, then started on my makeup. I had ten minutes until Zack arrived, and I took the challenge.

The doorbell rang just as I was applying the second coat of mascara, and I sighed in relief, proud of myself. I hurried out of my room, barely grabbing my bag and keys in my wake. I then thanked Maya and said goodbye to my brother before stepping out into chilly December evening.

Well, chilly for California, anyways. It was closer to 50 degrees than actual freezing temperatures, yet I still shivered in my blazer as he and I walked down to his car.

"What's up with you, babe? You're really quiet, which we both know is unlike you," he asked at a stoplight.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine, I guess. A little nervous, to be honest, but I'll be alright," I answered.

"Why are you nervous? My family can get a little crazy, but they'll like you, Andi," he tried to reassure me, but my stomach was still doing nervous flips.

"I'm just worried, that's all. I mean, what happens when they find out I'm related to Serena? They're not exactly going to welcome me with open arms then," I replied, muttering the last part.

"They already know, Andi," he sighed, an edge of annoyance in his tone. "My mom told the family months ago. They still want to meet you. Chill out."

"Chill out? You could've fucking told me this! That was the main reason that I was so nervous!" I said in dismay.

"Shit, my fucking bad," he muttered in response.

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. We hardly ever fought, and today wouldn't be the start of one. I wouldn't allow it.

"Sorry, like I said, I'm really nervous and didn't mean to snap at you," I apologized, extending the olive branch.

He took my peace offer without hesitation. "I know, I'm sorry, too. I honestly thought I told you. There's no need to be nervous, babe. Everything's going to go fine."

He then turned onto Race street, the familiar line of trees coming into my vision. A real estate's company sign sat in the front yard of my old house, meaning that my father had truly listed the property hardly a year after he bought it. He painted my old work space a boring gray color, but overall didn't make many cosmetic changes, or so he says. I could see from across the street that he painted the living room a beige color, while it had originally been navy when I lived there. I wasn't upset that he was selling the house; I wasn't there half the time in the first place. It did feel a little weird, though. It was as if I was saying goodbye to the memory of our first kiss; to the times that we sat by the fire pit in the backyard; to my surprise birthday party where he first said that he loved me; to the first time he snuck over because he knew I was in a rut. It was saying goodbye to many memories that I didn't know I'd make in that house.

"There it is again," he said, looking towards the sign as we got out of the car. "I wonder what he did with your art closet."

"It wasn't a closet! It was an office. Learn the difference."

He chuckled, connecting our fingers as we walked toward the door. "Are you ready?" he asked.

"Not at all," I replied as the door opened, his mother appearing in the doorway.

"Something's different about you," she said when we came closer. "Did you get taller, Zack?"

"I dunno, maybe?" he replied, giving her a large hug. "Hi, Mom."

"I haven't seen you in three weeks and all I get is a, 'Hi Mom'?" she said, pulling away from him. "Oh well, I'll take it."

She then turned her attention to me. "Andi, honey, you look great, as always. It's good to see you! It's been a while, hasn't it?"

"Thank you," I replied quietly. "It has, indeed. It was when I was moving out, right?"

She nodded. "Well, come in, both of you. Let's get you introduced to everyone."

I followed them both inside, and said hello to Mr. Baker and Zack's younger brother, Matt, before we reached the kitchen, where the majority of their family seemed to be. I felt their eyes look in my direction as we entered the room, down to our linked hands, then back to me. My heart skipped a beat. It seemed that time had started to run extremely slow at this moment.

However, all of that fear seemed to melt away when I heard the pride in his voice when he introduced me to everyone. The way he said my name made me feel important, and the low tone of his voice almost made my knees weak. I felt foolish for being nervous; I received many hugs and warm welcomes from everyone.

Zacky shot me a grin shortly after, an I told you so look. I didn't give him the satisfaction, and instead focused on the story his uncle was telling. But the smile that was fighting its way onto my face was enough for him.

"So, tell me, how did you two meet?" his grandmother asked when his uncle finished.

I looked at him, silently asking what I should leave out of that story. He only smirked, not leaving me much choice.

"We met in English class..." I began, and the memory seemed to tell itself. I couldn't help but recall how different we were back then, when we first met. I remembered that he struck me as this rebellious guy who had enough charm to get him out of trouble, and I was timid and troubled by my own mind. He didn't seem to change much at all, at least, not to me. I, however, felt like an entirely different person; someone who could finally smile and laugh and mean it completely.

"After that, he drove me home," I finished, sending him a small smile.
I continued talking to his grandparents for nearly an hour after that, answering their questions and asking a few of my own. I couldn't help but giggle when they shamelessly told me about Zacky as a child. I don't think I've ever seen him so embarrassed, but he took it like a champ, nonetheless.

The night continued on, as food was passed around, drinks were consumed, and his younger cousins put to bed in the other room. I felt at ease as we watched Dick Clark's New Years Eve special in the living room, Zacky's arms secure around my waist as we waited for midnight to come.

"So, what was that about being nervous earlier?" he whispered into my ear.

"So, what was that I heard about playing with your older sister's Barbie dolls?" I retorted playfully, smirking when he groaned.

"Okay, okay, I'll admit it, this isn't so bad. Much better than the night my dad proposed to Laura, that's for sure," I finally sighed.

"So, I was right?" he pushed, a cocky edge to his voice. "And you were wrong?"

"Don't push it," I replied, rolling my eyes. "You may not get another moment like this."

Before he could come up with a comeback, his aunt pointed towards the t.v. and said that the ball was about to drop. Our eyes became fixated onto the screen as the bright sphere started to descend. The countdown began, and I felt the excitement of the new year rise in the room.

When the clock struck midnight, he and I shared a long kiss as his family erupted into happy cheers. I could already feel the fresh slate given to the both of us, and I was ready to make the most of another year with him.