101 | newcomer-1

I stare out the plane window, watching the sky. We're about to land in Houston, Texas. It was just yesterday that I still had a big hole in my heart. But now, I feel bliss, contented. Nevaeh is asleep, sitting beside me with her head on my shoulder. Our fingers are intertwined on my lap. I kiss the top of her head, and she squirms a little. A soft smile touches my lips. I sigh, breathing in her hair as I close my eyes. I'm very grateful that she has given me a second chance. Nothing could top what I'm feeling now. Damn, I feel like I just conquered the world. Meeting her parents seems like nothing. Nothing can stop me. The flight attendant passing our seats apologizes for waking Nevaeh up when she reminds her to adjust her seat to the upright position. Nevaeh opens her eyes, and after she squints for a moment, she smiles softly at me. She squeezes my hand. That smile. I'm the luckiest man in the world to have that smile forever. Nevaeh lets out a sigh, almost like she feels relieved. "I almost thought that I was still in a dream. It seems surreal that we're actually doing this now." She leans closer to me, as if she needs to feel my warmth to prove that she wasn't dreaming. My chest tightens as I remember how much I've hurt her. I've vowed that I will make up for it for the rest of my life. "You mean, like you were waking up into another dream? Like in that movie called Inception? A dream in a dream?" I joke to lighten the atmosphere because I don't want her to remember the sad things. Nevaeh grins. "That's actually one of my favorite movies. Such an awesome one." I watch as she glances at her wristwatch. A small frown forms on her lips. Does her father expect her to have arrived by now? "Do you think that he will like the birthday present I bought for him?" she asks. I want to say that he will definitely have another thing to worry about once we arrive, but I zip my mouth. I don't want to make her restless. Right now, Nevaeh is happy, and I want to keep it that way. "That barbeque kit branded with his favorite professional football team? I'm sure he'll love it," I say, earning her smile. Nevaeh grabs the flight magazine from the seat pocket in front of her and starts flipping the pages. They're filled with various vacation destinations around the world, and I watch as Nevaeh's eyes glint with wonder. "You seem calm," I say. Nevaeh raises her eyebrows at me. "About your father. I still remember how you panicked the last time he almost walked in on us." Nevaeh sighs, closing the magazine on her lap. "I think I'm in denial. It's just… I've been so happy these past few hours. I just don't want to think about that." "Is it okay?" I ask. Nevaeh gives me a questioning look. "I'm thinking about this birthday celebration in your house," I say. "Of all the other days we could have picked, we're doing this on his birthday." She waves her hand off. "Don't worry about that. It's supposed to be another thing to celebrate, right?" She chuckles and gives me a sheepish smile. Yes, it is. But I don't think that her father will have the same thought. I just don't want to cause him a heart attack and kill him right on his fucking birthday. Nevaeh, however, seems like she's indeed in denial. She starts reading the magazine again, as if she wants to escape this conversation. "Does he have a gun?" I ask of the blue. "Yes, he does," she hums nonchalantly, but then she snaps her head toward me and looks at me in horror like she just accidentally blurted that out. "Oh my God, I didn't mean it like that. I mean, yes, he has a gun. But it's only for precaution, like for burglary or something." I swallow. "My dad is paranoid when it comes to that," Nevaeh squeaks. "Stalker, murderer, serial killer. But you're not any of those, so there will be no harm." I don't even know whether she's trying to convince me or herself. Maybe it's about time that I call my family to tell them how much they mean to me in case I won't make it out alive. We're finally here. We're standing in front of the gate to Nevaeh's house. I'm ready to face anything that will be thrown my way, but what concerns me right now is Nevaeh. She's silent. Too silent. Her lips form into a thin line while she's staring down at the ground. Her fists are balled at her sides. The reality has finally come crashing down on her. She's done being in denial mode because we're going to face her parents now. I see the truth she was trying to deny. She's terrified. "Hey," I say softly, touching her shoulder. "Are you okay?" Nevaeh's jaw tightens as she clenches her fists. She shifts her gaze to the gate. "I'm okay. I can do this. We can do this." Her determination is radiating from her body, and I can't help but feel proud. Nevaeh pushes a button next to the gate, and a while later, a security guard comes from the other side of it. He opens the gate when he sees Nevaeh so that we can walk in, but the moment he notices me, he freezes. His eyes widen for a second, but then his expression turns into sympathy. I don't even want to interpret that. While we're walking, I see the classic home with mature oak trees and a circular drive entry. Nevaeh once told me that his father worked in an oil company, and by the look of it, he makes good money because this property is massive. There's still some distance for us to walk until we reach the driveway, so I use this time to talk again to Nevaeh. "It's going to be okay." She doesn't respond for long seconds. She's still wearing that frown. "I hope so." I stop walking, and so does she. I hold her shoulders gently to make her face me and tilt her chin up. "Talk to me," I whisper. Nevaeh lets out a shaky breath. Her eyes suddenly water, and I see fear in them. The sight breaks my heart. "I'm just really scared." Her voice cracks. "What if they don't want us to be together? What if they don't even want to understand our story? What if…" She can't say it. She's too afraid to say it. But I know what it is. "I'm not going anywhere," I say firmly, not letting her fear consume her. Her lips tremble, but I can see relief in her eyes after hearing my words. "I mean it. I'm not leaving you, Nevaeh." I hate that I once said that sentence to her. If only I could turn back the time. Nevaeh nods, trying to compose herself. "I mean it. I'll handle it. Do you trust me?" I ask. She nods again. We resume our steps, and when we finally stand in front of the door, I blow a breath. I fucking want to hold Nevaeh's hand to assure her, but the sight will be hazardous to his father when he opens the door. I'm trying to prevent him from drawing his gun right away and shooting me in the head before I can even step into his house.