What the hell do I wear to meet Vic’s parents?! Should I dress up or keep it casual? Maybe borrow a pair of heels from Zoey? A dress? It’s a holiday dinner! I have to look-

‘Like yourself,’ Phe corrected. ‘You need to look like yourself, not like you want to impress. You could show up in rags and Vic would still drool all over the turkey.’

I’m more concerned about what Mr and Mrs Fuentes will think…

‘You mean afraid,’ she coughed.

Whatever.

I continued to fish through my closet for something warm and comfortable to wear to the dinner. I searched all my drawers for a perfect top but came up with nothing that screamed “me” and appropriate for a holiday dinner. Disheartened, I laid back on my bed and spread my limbs in a starfish-like fashion.

“Ugggghhh.”

“Nix,” Miss Riley called from my door with her hands behind her back.
I looked to my right and offered a small smile at the sweet older woman. Her blonde and grey hair was delicately brushed into a high ponytail and her blue eyes seemed to glow against her pale, white skin.

“Yes ma’am?”

“I heard Jaime talking about some thanksgiving dinner at the Fuentes house, are you attending?” she asked sweetly.

“I don’t know…I can’t find anything to wear,” I blushed.

“I figured as much,” she giggled. She slowly pulled a grey sweater from behind her back.

I shot up from my bed and ran over to her, “Thank you so much Miss. Riley!—It’s perfect!”

“Oh hush and get ready, child. I have to go prepare dinner for the kids,” she beamed, waddling down the steps.

‘She is the most adorable old woman I’ve ever seen’ Phe declared seriously.

I took in the sweater; it said ‘gobble gobble gobble’ and had baked turkeys on the top of the shirt. To put it simply, it was adorable and festive. It fit fairly loosely and hung off my shoulder. I paired it with blue jeans with as few holes as possible, a black belt with silver studs and grey boots. I screwed in my gauges and slipped on a beanie over my naturally wavy hair. I noticed the lack of weight on my wrists.

My bracelets.

I pulled on a few silver and black bracelets, drew on some eyeliner and lightly glossed my lips. (Outfit Below c:)

“Done!” I smiled triumphantly.
The tick of the clock on my wall caught my attention and I glanced up to notice I was nearly thirty minutes late! My heart stopped in my chest.

“Shit!” I cursed, racing down the steps with my leather jacket and purse.

“Hey!” Miss Riley called from the kitchen, “Not around the children.”
I gave her an apologetic look and raced out the door. It was a clear evening. Naked trees were still in the fall air. The breeze swirled around browned leaves across the drive way…the vacant drive way!

“That bastard! Jaime left me!”

‘Kill him on sight.’ Phe growled.

The only way I could make this any better was to run; Vic’s house was only two or three blocks down. Besides, I was already late.

---

I tiredly skipped up the steps and rang the doorbell before resting on my knees, trying to catch my breath.

Jaime opened the door with a bright, wide grin before he realized who it was standing in front of him. His face dropped and I could smell the fear radiating from him.

“You…left…me,” I said though clenched teeth.

“You see what had happened was--”

I tackled him instead of giving him the chance to come up with a load of bull. Everyone knows Jaime is as impatient as they come.

“Phoenix I’m sorry,” he cried dramatically.

“You idiot! You made me run three blocks because you couldn’t wait?!”

“I-I was hungry and Vic said his mom was almost done!”

There was a long, awkward pause before I collapsed on top of him, laughing. His body stiffened with terror but he soon joined me and relaxed.

I rolled off of him and stood to my feet and adjusted my beanie. I reached towards Himes and helped him up.

“Where’s everybody?” I asked nervously.

I must have flown straight under Jaime’s fear radar because he answered nonchalantly, “Mike and Mr. Fuentes are in the kitchen and Vic is getting dressed.”

“He’s still not done? I’m almost an hour late.”

Jaime shrugged, “He’s a weird dude.”

I instinctively smacked him upside the head and gave him a blatant look of disapproval.

“Ow! But it’s true,” He whined, holding his head.

“Whatever, I’m going upstairs to get him.”

Jaime purred at the suggestive statement and I nearly got whiplash for turning around so fast to smack him again.

I skipped up the steps and took a guess at which room was his. There was loud rock music playing and I heard frantic movement.

“Vic?” I called.

“One second!” he quickly shouted back with a panicked voice.

‘Well that’s just strange…’

I instantly became curious as to what exactly he was doing. I pressed myself closer to the door and heard shuffling and whispered curses.

The support of the locked door was taken upon its opening and I fell into Vic’s hard chest. I quickly snatched myself from him embarrassedly. I crossed my arms and rubbed them uneasily.

To hell with it, I drooled taking all of him in. The smell of him lingered in my nose; he smelt of gentle cologne and he was clothed in a flattering black sweater with grey trimming. The knit sweater was complimented with dark skinny jeans and grey vans.

“H-Hi V-Vic,” I muttered, my eyes quickly wandering to the ground. I felt my face grow hot and I began to dig my heel into the tan carpet.

“Hey! Ready to eat?” he asked, leading me to the stairs.

“Not nearly as ready as Jaime is,” I joked, trying to get my stupid nerves to evaporate before I made my way to meet his parents.

He chuckled and laced our fingers in one swift movement as we descended the steps. The sound of laughter and conversation was clearer the closer we got to the kitchen.
Vic’s smirk slowly morphed into a sweet smile once he pushed passed the swingy kitchen door with his free hand, me carefully trailing behind.

“You finally decide to join the party!” Mike announced, doing that weird guy hand shake with him. I couldn’t stop blushing; I could feel everyone’s eyes lingering on our interlaced hands. Vic didn’t seem very phased and continued to greet everyone.

“Hey Tony, glad you could make it,” Vic smiled.

I still felt extremely bad for not telling Vic about Tony kissing me. But at the same time…We aren’t dating. Now that I think about, I’m not obligated to tell him anything.

‘But Tony is his friend. You know he likes you—they both do. He deserves to know where you stand when it comes to him.’

I can’t tell him something I don’t know, Phe, I thought with an irritated tone.

“It was no problem. My mom’s boyfriend invited her out and I told her I’d just come here to eat,” he laughed.

Everyone in the room must have been too engrossed in conversation and the upbeat mood to notice but I clearly saw the smoldered look of jealousy in Tony’s eyes. Thanks to my poor luck, our eyes met and I knew exactly what he was asking in his head. He wanted to know if Vic and I were official; whether I chose Vic over him. Being the cowardly person I am when it comes to facing my own emotions, I opted for becoming fascinated with the cream colored tile floor.

“Victor Vincent Fuentes! Stop hiding that poor girl and introduce her to me and your father!” Vic’s mom chastised lightheartedly. I looked up through my lashes as he gently tugged me in front of him and released my hand and loosely wrapped his arm around my waist.

His cheeks were tinted an innocent red as he spoke, “Mom, Dad, this is Phoenix Slade.”

I waved shyly at them.

“Does she speak?” his dad asked gruffly.

If only he knew where I was when it came to speaking just a few months ago.
He was a small tan man that didn’t seem as playful as his wife.

“Y-Yes sir,” I stuttered, cursing my tongue. Nothing could convince me that I didn’t look completely stupid to the man.

I felt Vic’s arm tighten around me slightly as a silent sign of comfort. It must have been obvious that I was extremely tense.

Jaime and Mike’s argument over the turkey’s leg had died down and the room was silent. It seemed like they expected me to say something..?

‘Just stay calm, you’re doing better than I thought you would.’

Woah. Your expectations must have been beyond low.

“Well, Miss. Slade, are you dating my son?” he deadpanned, blatantly eying Vic’s arm around my waist.

I cleared my throat, Tony and Vic looking at me with anticipating eyes, “Erm…why don’t you ask Vic?”

Boom. Crisis averted; the ball has been passed.

Mr. Fuentes shrugged, “Vic?”

“Um, we haven’t made anything official,” Vic clarified, shifting his weight from one foot to the other.

“You two seem quite touchy for a pair that isn’t… ‘Official’,” his father grilled.
Just as the weight of Vic’s arm disappeared from around my waist his mother spoke up.

“Mr. Fuentes! Leave these young people alone!” she reprimanded, waving about a wooden spoon.

“Fine,” He chuckled, his stoic face cracking into a grin. “Just trying to have some holiday fun.”

Mrs. Fuentes shook her head at her husband, “Vic and Mike, could you two set the table?”
“Sure,” they both answered in unison, taking up the silverware, plates and serving dishes.

“I’ll help,” Tony volunteered with a small smile, disappearing beyond the door. Mr. Fuentes went to change his shirt since Mrs. Fuentes the mystery sauce that coated the wooden spoon she waved about spotted it.

“Mind helping me the get the turkey out the oven? I’m much too old to bend down that low,” she chuckled.

“Of course,” I smiled.

I opened up the door and pulled out the pan that was holding the baked turkey.

“Thanks sweetie,” she grinned, putting the finishing touches on the bird.

“So tell me,” she began as I took a seat on the bar stool across from her, “how are you and my son not together?”

I nearly chocked when I registered her question.

‘This family sure doesn’t beat around the bus,’ Phe huffed.

“Well uh…I will say that Vic did ask me but I couldn’t…” I answered vaguely.

“Parent’s don’t let you date?” she questioned.

“…No, my parents are dead.”

She looked up from the bird with sorrowful eyes, “I’m so sorry. No one should go through that.”
I nodded, “I agree. I turned down Vic because I didn’t know if I could even love myself, let alone someone that I already cared so much for and couldn’t afford to lose.”

The turkey forgotten, she quickly responded, “You seem like such a smart girl; a girl that thinks everything through thoroughly. I’m impressed that a teenage girl actually put my boy’s feelings before her own while still considering yourself. He’s lucky to have you.”

I smiled softly at her, “We’re not dating, Mrs. Fuentes.”

“Child please. It’s inevitable; I’ve only known you for 10 minutes and I can see all the love in Vic’s eyes when he looks at you. It’s painfully sweet.”

I began to fumble with what exactly to say. How do I respond to that?

“I care for him so much…I just don’t want to mess it up.”

“You won’t. You wouldn’t ever let yourself anyway,” she winked, turning back to the turkey.

“Do you need any help with anything?” I asked sweetly, wanting to change the subject to something much more light.

“Nope! If the boys are done, then we can take this beautiful turkey to the table and start dinner.”

I nodded and took the turkey out to the table while she washed her hands.

Just as I pushed past the kitchen door, Mr. Fuentes came padding down the steps.

“Oh, it’s done already? I’ll go get the knife so we can cut it,” he smiled.

I nodded and set the heavy thing in the big space in the middle of the mahogany table.

“My mom didn’t say any embarrassing stories did she?” Vic laughed nervously, taking a seat next to me and grabbing my hand.

My heart fluttered and I felt my face grow warm. He’s been holding me quite intimately lately; I don’t blame Mr. Fuentes for believing we were dating.

“N-No. It was very light-hearted conversation,” I smiled. The conversation I had with his mother was one of those Woman-to-young lady sort of talks and I felt like it should stay between just me and her.

“Well I hope you’re ready to eat,” Mr. Fuentes announced, pushing past the kitchen door with a large knife. He began to cut the turkey and the smell of the cooked meat and the spices generously put into it wafted the air in the most appetizing way possible. Jaime sat next to me, Mike sat in front of Vic and Tony was seated in front of me. Jaime being…well Jaime, quickly asked if he could have the turkey’s right leg, earning a very sincere glare from Mike. Mr. Fuentes was oblivious to the fact that his decision would end a seemingly important argument so he gladly gave the large chunk of meet to the grinning teen.

Mr. Fuentes was seated west of the table and his wife seated east. They began to pass around platters so we could put together our plates. Once everything was passed around, Vic’s mother spoke.

“Now before we begin to eat, its tradition in our home to say what we are thankful for.”

I followed everyone’s example and stood, tugging nervously at my sleeves.

“I’ll go first!” Jaime affirmed excitedly, “I’m thankful for my foster mother, Miss. Riley and my friends. Thanks for inviting me to this amazing dinner, it means a lot to me.”

Once he finished, he sat back in his seat with his hands in his lap, looking around to see who would speak up to go next first.

“I’ll go,” Mike smirked. “I’m thankful my parents, my friends and I’m glad everyone could come.”
He resumed his seat.

Tony cleared his throat, “I’m thankful for My mom, my friends, my new skateboard and…” he looked at me, “…second chances.”

He took his seat and slid back up to the table, avoiding my shocked stare.

Vic nudged me and I looked up at him. He gave me a confused look, his eyebrows arched. Evasively, I looked away.

“I’ll go,” Vic smiled, “I’m thankful for my great parents, my friends and for the fact that Phoenix is okay after everything.”

He released my hand and sat down. His parents looked slightly perplexed but didn’t question it.
I inhaled nervously, “My turn I supposed. I’m thankful for the few memories I have of my parents, my supportive friends and foster mom and I’m glad that I’m still alive.”

I sat down slowly, scared that if I moved too quickly I’d become dizzy with nerves. His mother and father went on to say what they were thankful for but I couldn’t pay attention—I was much too lost in my own thoughts.

‘What did Tony mean by second chances? Am I missing something?’

I think we both are…

Once everyone was seated, we began to eat and light-hearted, cheerful conversation dragged my nerves away.

---

Night had fallen almost two hours ago and we were all seated in the living room, watching TV and talking. I was growing tired and an exhausted yawn snuck past my lips.

Vic , who was seated next to me, looked down at me, “Want me to drive you home?”

“No, I’ll walk home. Enjoy your night with your family,” I smiled, standing to my feet and stretching.

“There’s no way in hell your walking home by yourself. It will only take two minutes for me to get my keys and drive you home, Nix,” he said seriously.

Reluctantly, I nodded and he fetched his keys.

“Thanks for everything Mr. and Mrs. Fuentes. The food and company was amazing,” I giggled.

“Please Phoenix, just call us mama and papa Fuentes. You fit so well into our family,” Mrs. Fuentes smiled. “Same goes for you too, Jaime and Tony!”

“Yes ma’am,” they laughed, standing to their feet.

“You guys are leaving too?” Mike asked Jaime and Tony.

“Yeah, it’s getting late,” Jaime yawned. Vic came back down the steps with his keys twirling around his fingers.

“Alright, let’s go,” he smiled, taking my hand. We stepped out into the cool, night air. It was silent and a bit chilly so I hugged my jack closer to myself. It smelt of winter and the sky was a perfect black, the shining stars dancing about and twinkling.

“I’m going to drop Tony off so tell Miss. Riley I’ll be home soon once you get back.”

I nodded at Jaime and got into Vic’s car. Vic closed the door behind me and jogged over to the drivers’ seat. He turned the key in the ignition and drove off in the direction of my house.
Just as my eyes had fluttered closed, the car came to a stop and Vic gently shook me.

“We’re here.”

I nodded but couldn’t get myself to move. I heard Vic get out of the car and soon my door was pulled open. He undid my seatbelt and gently took me in his arms.

“Put me down Vic,” I muttered.

“As you wish,” he chuckled, placing me on my feet. I wobbled and fell right into him and he caught me almost as if he expected it. Vic gracefully took me in his arms again and I decided to not protest.

Gravity is a bitch, I mumbled in my head.

Phe’s faint laughter registered before Vic rang the doorbell.

A soft light seeped through my eye lids and I heard Miss. Riley gasp.

“What happened?” she asked concernedly.

“Nothing, she’s just tired.”

“Turkey will do that to ya,” she joked. “Could you take her to her room, please?”

“Of course,” Vic nodded, his hair seeming to gently sweep over my face.

He slowly made his way up the steps and open my bedroom door.

‘Thank god you picked up your room before you left,’ Phe sighed in relief.

Vic gently put me into the bed. After a bit of shuffling, my shoes were softly pulled from my feet and he dug my phone out of my pocket and place it on the headboard.
His footfalls appeared to be going in the direction of my door when I suddenly called out.

“Stay with me.”

I opened my eyes and that familiar, sharp pain ripped through my head.

What the hell, Phe?!

‘Thank me later,’ she sang, disappearing from my conscience.

“W-What?” he stuttered.

Sighing, I repeated what Phe said, “S-Stay.”

He slowly walked over and sat on his knees, in front of my face, “Are you sure?”

I nodded weakly and he sighed.

I heard his shoes fall to the floor and his weight shift the bed. I turned around and saw the warm blush on his cheeks.

“What?” he asked coyly.

Smiling, I wrapped my arms around him and rested my head on his chest.

“Happy thanksgiving,” I whispered against his shirt.

He ran his fingers gently through my hair, “Happy thanksgiving, love.”

Notes

Mother dearest took my laptop so hear I am, sitting in the library awkwardly typing squeal-worthy fanfiction .-. Comment, Rate, Subscribe, Vote and all that jazz~~~
Sorry for any errors, no time for proofreading at the moment c:

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Topic of the Day: Anything Thanksgiving related~