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45. New Beginnings | requested [C.S.]

"I'm Y/N, by the way," I spoke up, looking to the cute guy. "I'm a senior, but it's my first year. Kind of sucks."

He nodded, offering a weak smile. Something was off about this guy, like he was trying to be kind, but he was too guarded for that. But I was in no position to ask him about that. "I'm Chris Stewart," he said, "Senior, as well."

We walked through the hallways, and in our reoccurring silence, I could feel everyone's eyes on us.

❥

"Chris!" I nearly stumbled back, a small smile quickly filling my face. I shut my locker door, a laugh escaping me. Chris had snuck up on me, startling me nearly to death.

"Hey, Y/N," Chris gulped, offering his own smile. In the past few months here, I'd learned that Chris Stewart was many things: a sweetheart, helpful, funny, but also anxious, guarded, and seemingly sad. After discovering we had three classes together, we became friends. Well, frankly, we were good friends. He was just so strange to understand at times it felt like it was hard to be anything more most of the time.

"What's up, Chris?" I asked, holding my books tightly to chest.

"Well, uh," Chris laughed lightly, scratching his head, "My mom knows that you've been helping me a lot with classes, and she's super thankful for it."

I furrowed my eyebrows slightly, nodding. I'd never actually met Chris' mom before, but he had alluded to the fact that he only lived with her. "It's no problem, Chris," I smiled reassuringly, "Tutoring in exchange for a friend in gym class, right?"

He laughed, nodding this time. "Yeah, yeah," he grinned lightly, "Well, the thing is, she would really like to thank you personally. So, um, would you like to come over for dinner? Like, tonight?" His face was turning red, something I found absolutely adorable.

"I would love to," I answered right away. Dinner with Chris? A chance to get to know him better? Any girl would be crazy to pass this up. "Let me just make sure it's alright with my parents. By the way, I think they would like to meet you, too."

Chris' smile widened, as he tilted his head, like he was surprised. "Really? Your parents would like to meet me?"

"Of course. You're a guy I spend a lot of time with. They're sort of protective, and like to know who I'm with and everything," I chuckled, patting Chris' arm gently. "Thank you for your invite, Chris. I'll see you later."

❥

I rang the doorbell, taking in a deep breath. Chris and his mother had a beautiful home, and I'd never seen it before. Chris was so strange, and I was thankful to finally get to know him better. This was a step into deepening our friendship, and maybe one day, if Chris was okay with it, something more.

I could never get Chris' smile out of my head, or his sweet words. Everything inside of me yearned to be closer to him, to understand him, to be his everything.

The door swung open, a tall woman with dark hair standing behind it. She stood proudly, with confidence, but something in her eyes showed hesitation.

"Y/N?" She asked, crossing her arms.

I gulped slightly, a little shocked at this woman's forwardness. "Uh, yes," I nodded, "I'm Y/N. You must be Chris' mother. I've heard a lot of wonderful things about you."