When Worlds Collide

Chapter 22

The drive to Vancouver feels longer than I remeber it to be. I spend the entire two hours just staring out of the carwindow and hoping and praying that everything goes smoothly.

About halfway to my childhood home, Trevor places his hand on my thigh and gives it a comforting squeeze. Eventhough my stomach is all knots and twists, it makes me feel more at ease knowing that he will be there with me the whole time.

When we pull into my parent's house's driveway, a wave of nostalgia washes over me. Everything still looks the same as when I was a kid. From the red roof to the hydrangeas in the garden - everything is still exactly the same. But why do I feel like everything is so unfamiliar? The place hasn't even changed a bit, yet I... I feel like I don't know this place anymore. Like I have dreamt of this place before and now a blurry copy of it still lies in the outskirts of my memories.

But the place still looks exactly the same - like it was preserved in a timecapsule. Maybe I'm the one who has changed?

"You ready?" Trevor asks as he opens his car door and then makes his way around the car to open my door.

"I hope so..." I say uneasily as I take his hand and slowly make my way to the door.

I take a few deep breaths to calm myself before I ring the door bell. True to my mother's nature she immediately opens the door.

"Hey Mom. Happy Birthday," I let go of his hand to give my mom a hug. At first she's hesitant, probably shocked that I actually showed up. I only really come back home for emergencies or special occasion like Christmas. But once she realizes I'm really here, she returns my hug.

"This is Trevor, my boyfriend," I say breaking our embrace and stepping back so that she can get a good look at him.

"It's very nice to meet you Mrs. Styles," Trevor says politely, turning up his charm to an 11, as he holds out his hand for my mom to shake. There is no way they can't like him... right?

"Like wise." My mother eyes Trevor up and down while she shakes his hand. "Come in." My mother isn't showing any signs of an instant dislike towards Trevor, but then again, my mom has always been exceptionally good at hiding her true feelings in front of others.

We follow my mother into the livingroom without a single word being uttered between the three of us. I slowly take in my surroundings. It's as if I never left. Everything is still perfectly in place and the air slightly smells of cinnamon - a result of my mother's scented candle obsession. But the truth is, it feels strange being here now, because this isn't my home anymore.

My father and sister, Candace, are seated on the couch against the furthest wall, facing towards us. "Hey," I say shyly while giving them a small smile.

"Hello," both of them reply as they get up off the couch to greet us. Oh, this is going to be so much fun.

                                              ***

We've been here for a few hours now. It's about time for dinner. I've been helping my mom and Candace cook in the kitchen, while Trev has been watching hockey with my dad. Everyone seems somewhat accepting of him, but I know better than to believe that they accept him. And I know that they'll probably start showing their true colours during dinner... But so far they've been fairly decent towards Trevor.

"Are you done setting the table?" Candace asks from the kitchen.

"Yeah."

"Okay, then you can go get dad and your little friend." And so it begins...

Trevor and I are seated on the right side of the table and my parents and Candace are on the left side. And, God, is this the most awkward dinner I've ever been at.