Starting Over (Unexpected Encounters part 3)

Chapter 25

*This chapter will be from Whitney's POV

About a week had passed since the near disastrous dinner with my parents. I knew that to someone else, they probably didn't seem all that bad.

The comments that they'd made in front of Austin and Bailey weren't terrible, but they didn't know about the other things that I'd frequently heard them say.

I had ended up telling Bailey about a good part of it, and how I knew what their views were in the first place. It felt good to get it off of my chest and at least tell someone, but I wasn't sure if that someone being Bailey was a good idea or not.

Our past was complicated, and I knew that she'd originally gotten a job at the college so she could try to win me back. Since then we'd both been in at least some type of relationship, but it felt like the more we talked again, the more the tension between us grew.

It was dangerous, and I knew it.

And speaking of relationships, I still hadn't told Malia about everything that had happened with my family. I didn't think it would be a huge deal, but it still wasn't exactly a conversation that I wanted to have.

We were getting ready to go to a Christmas walk that they had downtown every year, and I had planned to talk to her after that.

I didn't want to ruin a fun night, but we really hadn't seen each other much since everything had happened.

I went to pick Malia up after work, and drove downtown to find a spot to park. There were vendors and shops open everywhere, Christmas lights lit up, I loved it.

I went to this event every year, and it never failed to be a fun time.

"Wow," Malia said as we pulled into a spot, "I've never been to this before."

"Seriously??" I asked her, "it's one of my favorite things to do around the holidays every year."

"Well then I'm glad I get to do it with you," she said as she grinned over at me.

I smiled back at her as I felt a small pang of guilt in my stomach. She was so sweet, and here I was, lying to her for the past week.

Sure Malia, let's go have a fun time at a cute holiday event and then I'll tell you about my homophobic family and how I've been telling all of you a shit ton of lies.

Great times.

We got out of my car and I took a quiet deep breath, trying not to think about what was to come later. I wanted to enjoy this.

Malia came around by my side and grabbed on to my hand, lacing her fingers with mine. We started walking down the street and looking at the booths and open shops, admiring how well everything was decorated.

"Oh we have to stop here," I said, pausing in front of a booth, "they have the best hot chocolate."

"I love how excited you are about this," Malia laughed, "but deal, let's get some then."

We got in line and chatted while we waited for our turn to order. I bought us each a cup of the cocoa, and we sat down at a nearby table to drink it.

I watched Malia as she took a sip, and her eyes fluttered shut.

"Okay, you're right," she said, "that is delicious."

"Told you," I grinned as I took a drink of my own.

I stifled a laugh as Malia put her cup down, revealing a small dollop of whipped cream on her nose.

"How about this?" I asked as I reached over and wiped it off with my thumb, "is this delicious too?"

She leaned forward with a grin on her face and licked it off.

"Yeah that's pretty delicious too," she said.

"Glad to hear," I laughed.

We finished our drinks after sitting at the table for a while longer, and we got up to continue walking.

I put my hand on the small of Malia's back, guiding her out of the crowd. We were almost to a more open area, when I was stopped in my tracks and I felt my stomach drop.

"You coming?" Malia stopped with me and turned around.

"I um - yeah my, my family is right over there," I stuttered, "I just saw them."

"Oh really?" She asked excitedly, "come on I want to meet them."

"Malia, wait -" I reached for her hand but she was too far along to stop her.

Fuck, this was not going to be good.

I came up behind her as she approached them, and my mom's eyes caught mine.

"Whitney!" She said, "I didn't know you would be here."

"Hi Mom," I muttered, "Dad, Tucker."

Malia glanced at me out of the corner of her eye, and I knew she was wondering why I sounded so unenthusiastic.

"Hey Whit," Tucker said as my dad grinned next to him.

"Well," my mom said, "are you going to introduce us to your friend or just let her awkwardly stand there."

She gave me a teasing grin and my stomach flipped, I felt like I was going to throw up.

"Sorry, I -" I started.

"I'm her girlfriend actually," Malia cut in as she wrapped her arm around my waist, "it's nice to meet you all."

I squeezed my eyes shut, avoiding eye contact with everyone around me. This had to just be a bad dream, right?

When I opened them a moment later, my mom was glaring at me, but she still had a confused look on her face.

"Your - what?" She asked, "what about Austin? We just met him the other night."

"Austin?" Malia chimed in as she looked over at me, "who is Austin?"

"Her boyfriend, we thought," my dad said.

"What?" Malia asked.

"No he's - Austin isn't my boyfriend," I stuttered, "this is just a big misunderstanding, okay?"

"So this isn't your girlfriend then?" My mom asked in a disapproving tone.

"I - " I couldn't even form any words as my cheeks grew redder by the second.

There was no good way to get out of this.

"I mean I thought I was her girlfriend," Malia said as she raised her eyebrows at me.

"Okay," I said as I held my hands out in front of me, "hold on."

I felt the numerous pairs of eyes on me as my mind raced for a good solution to this mess that I had made.

"I will - I can explain," I told them, "but not all together like this."

"I think I've heard enough," my mom said curtly, "I don't need an explanation."

"Mom please," I said as I took a step towards her, "let me talk to you guys for just a second."

Tucker stood there awkwardly and looked between my parents, and I could feel Malia's gaze burning in to me. My mom didn't say anything, but she didn't leave either.

"Can you give me like five minutes with them?" I asked Malia quietly as I turned to her, "and then I'll explain everything, I promise."

Malia nodded before responding, "I'll go wait in the car."

"Okay," I sighed, "I'll be there soon."

I watched her walk off before turning back towards my family. I had no idea where to even start, but I guess we were doing this.

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