After the earlier encounter with Uncle Al, I was a little frightened to be driving through my neighborhood alone. I had showered after my run and finally decided on a comfortable pair of shorts and plain black leggings to wear to Jaime’s place. Should I wear my PTV shirt? Nah, it would be too overbearing on the entire situation.

Making sure that no drunken men staggered out in front of my car, I drove off of my street and turned onto the main highway. My hands were shaking from excitement. An hour earlier, I had told Autumn what had happened. She had basically fallen into a fangirl attack over what had occurred. I responded happily and she told me to hook her up with Tony. I personally saw their personalities clashing like orange juice and toothpaste, but whatever.

Double checking the address on my phone’s GPS, I pulled into a secluded, exclusive neighborhood. It looked fairly normal except for the large three story houses. It could’ve been on The Real Housewives of RichBitchtown and fit right in.

My car was steered into a long driveway. I felt like I could be driving forever. I must’ve reached Canada by now, honestly. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a moose or two after the first ten minutes of driving.

I pulled to a stop in the front of the house. I had passed a few branching drives on the way, but this final house was obviously a sexican house. There were already two cars in the drive way and it sounded like death metal mixed with Hispanic music coming from an open window.

As I got out, I debated just turning around. My only use was making a doorbell sound. What good was I? If they found out about it, Jaime would just think I’m a freak. I should just get into my car and turn around to cross the border back into the US. No, if I’m already this far into Canada, I might as well become a resident.

So my feet carried me towards the door. I probably could’ve yelled out “DING!” and been just like their usual bell. Instead, I rang in and hoped it would be heard over the death metal/Hispanic music. The blaring sounds turned down as feet scurried to the door.

“We didn’t traffic drugs! I promise!” Vic yelled through the crack in the door as it partially opened. I just stared as the door slammed in my face. I had a piece of paper and pencil in my pocket just in case I needed to communicate something, like that I wasn’t the cops.

“Stop being an idiot, Vic! The police came two weeks ago!” Tony grumbled. I rolled my eyes and laughed. Pushing a piece of blonde hair behind my ear, I patiently waited for Jaime to be here. This was his house, right?

“Oh yeah. Wait, hold on.” Vic whispered loudly. I might be part mute, but I can still hear! There was some more footsteps, Mike yelling in the background, and soft squeaking until it fell silent under the heavy music. From the corner of my eye, I saw the shades drawn a little and a set of brown eyes staring at me. Pretending not to notice Vic and Tony vying for a glance, I tapped my foot impatiently.

“Oh, is that the girl Himes was talking about?”

“I dunno. Go see!” Tony whined. There was more shuffling and further arguing between the two.

“You open it!”

“No, you open it!”

“It’s Jaime’s house and they ship you more!” Tony pouted. I whined.

“What, the whole Fuenciado thing?” Vic complained.

“Yeah, dude! Go open it!”

“Wait, how does the ship come into play?”

“Who cares!? Just let her in! She’s probably cold.” Tony complained.

“Tone, it’s Cali! Why would she be cold?” Vic stated. Both suddenly yelled and sent out a volley of complaints as there was further shuffling and the lock clicked open.

“Hey, Ding!” Jaime grinned as he popped the door open and let me in. I smiled and he gave me a tight hug. Vic and Tony peered around his shoulder to get a better look at me. I waved to them.

“Ding, this is Vic and Tony. I’m sure you know them.” Jaime let me take off my shoes by the collection by the door. There was a set of dirty converse and vans next to mine. It was more of a mess of stink than an actual set of shoes in an order.

“Guys, this is Willow, but you can call her Ding. She’s the girl I was talking to you about.” Jaime hinted to them. I laughed silently. Tony and Vic both raised an eyebrow.

“Woah, woah, woah. This girl? MmMm…Himes got himself a girl!” Tony teased. I blushed and avoided the boys’ stare.

“Caaaannn yooou feeeeel the loooove toooniiiiight?” Vic started to belt out while traipsing to the kitchen. Tony skipped along behind him. We all skidded and slid on Himes polished floors. It was like a giant game of figure skating, but without the judges and the adoring fans.

Actually, we had one adoring fan. It went Swish! Swish! Swish! As it spun on the ceiling over the living room.

After the temporary moment of embarrassment, we recomposed ourselves and continued to the living room. It was spacious with a couch facing the western wall that overlooked a window with a large TV. Mike was stretched out on the couch. I partially hid behind Jaime with my social anxiety kicking into play.

And there he goes down the field! Social Anxiety is avoiding every player on the field possible as he dribbles down to the field towards the defending team’s goal player, Willow! Wow, he manages to avoid yet another player!

“Willow?” Jaime nudged me quietly. I snapped out of it and blushed. Mike stepped forward, eyes alight.

“Hey, I’m Mike.” He introduced himself. I shook his hand. I felt the air swish behind me as Jaime made some elaborate move. Tony and Vic stared at him. I turned around to see what he was doing. By the time I looked over, Jaime had settled down.

I gave him that I-might-not-talk-a lot-but-I-can-still-see-you look. He mouthed an apology as we continued our awkward party start. A sneaking suspicion grew in me that Himes had told the others that I didn’t talk a lot.

“So how about that weather?” Mike stuttered the conversation again. I nodded and shrugged. It hadn’t been too bad. It looks like rain later, but not too heavily.

“Good, good.” Tony responded wistfully as he glanced out the window. I laughed a little when Jaime nudged me.

“I’m hungry.” Mike complained. Himes rolled his eyes.

“Fine. I’ll go put burgers on the grill.” He started to go out back. My anxiety kicked in again. Great…I was alone in a room with other men that I didn’t know personally and had no way to talk.

Social Anxiety: 1
Me: 0!

“So, Ding, do you want to play a game?” Vic offered. I walked over to where everyone was sitting. Tony offered me a seat on the opposite side of him. I saw Jaime glancing to us through the window.

I bobbed my head yes and Vic crawled to the cabinet underneath the TV screen. He came back out with Monopoly, Twister, and Farkle. It was too bad for all these Mexicans because I was the grand champ master at all these games.

“Ooh! Twister!” Tony squealed. Vic shook his head.

“We’re letting Ding decide.” He said. I pointed to Twister and high fived Tony.

“Fine.” Vic shook his head.

“You’re just salty because you’re no good at it.” Mike chuckled. He took of his hat and helped set up the board. Vic stuck his tongue out at Mike and we all began to play. Since it was pretty obvious I couldn’t be the spinner/caller, we let Mike be it.

“Right hand, yellow.” Mike started out. We all bent over and hit the spot. It went from right hand yellow to left hand green (which happened to be on the far corner for me) and both feet on blue. I was squat over the red section when right hand red was called out. Although I was in a more comfortable position, Tony decided to put his hand right under my butt.

“JAIME! TONY IS TRYING TO STEAL YO’ GIRL!” Vic called out. Tony looked up. Jaime was holding the steak stabber threateningly.

“Wait! No! It isn’t what it looks like!” Tony complained. In his lack of concentration, I took advantage to lean into him. He fell over in an instant.

“Oh! Tony is out for the count!” Mike cheered. Tony crossed his legs, poking my knee.

“No fair!” He pouted. I chuckled. Vic paled at the thought of me shoving him over. I grinned at him. He continued to poke my knee. Jaime tapped the window and shook his head at us.

“Okay, Right foot blue!” Mike called. Tony took the spinner from him and started to wildly flick the spinner. From now on it was rapid fire call outs until Vic and I were tangled one over the other. Eventually, he was doing a bridge under me and I decided to just relax on his chest. Hey! I still had my hand and feet on each spot! All I did was add more weight to Vic. He was panting after a minute. Tony was slowing down, making it hard for his fellow singer.

“Go…faster!” Vic cried out. I grinned to him. Tony spun again.

“Red, right hand!” He called out. I twisted around Vic as he switched spots. Soon enough, the weight was too much for him and he collapsed onto the mat.

“And the winner is…Willow!” Mike called out. Vic shook my hand as we stood up.

“Ha, I never expected such a fierce fighter from you, Ding.” Tony patted me on the back. Jaime called dinner and we were off to eat.

Notes