Introverted Hearts // Josh Dun

chapter twenty three :: trying to trust

"Okay." CJ nodded, keeping the rest of her thoughts to herself.

"Are you ready?" Josh asked.

"As ready as I'll ever be."

Josh escorted her to the door, where he wrapped his arm around her torso.

"Squeeze tight, please. It lets me know you're there." CJ told him before he opened the door.

"We've been waiting so long to meet you!" Laura gushed as she hugged CJ.

Josh kept his grip on his girlfriend as his family took turns introducing themselves and shook her hand. She simply smiled and nodded at every new face she saw. He was able to tell that she was already getting overwhelmed because she kept brushing her hair behind her ear, even though it was already there.

"You didn't tell me she was even prettier in person." Laura said after everybody finished greeting CJ.

"Aw, you think I'm pretty." CJ looked up at Josh and feigned.

"Well, dinner's ready." Laura said, and the family made their way to the kitchen, Josh and CJ last in line.

"You doing okay?" Josh checked on his girlfriend.

"Yeah." CJ nodded, letting out a shaky breath.

"Move over, loser." Josh tapped Jordan's shoulder.

"This is my seat." Jordan looked up at Josh.

"Mom says no arguing when there's guests." Josh replied.

Jordan, with a heavy sigh, took a spot on the other side of the table.

"You didn't have to do that." CJ said as Josh pulled the chair out for her, then pushed her in.

"My girl wants an outside seat, she gets an outside seat." Josh told her.

CJ was silent as dinner was dished out, passing bowls along instead of taking some. Josh already told his mom that she would not eat, just so that she would not get offended.

Josh held her hand at the table, much like he did during the Christmas dinner at Tyler's house. He could feel her shaking and her sweaty palms.

He made sure to warn his family to keep questions to a minimal, knowing that CJ would easily get uncomfortable.

Josh occasionally whispered little things to CJ about anything, just to make her smile a bit.

"No whispering at the table, Joshua." Laura scolded him.

"Sorry, Mom." Josh bowed his head a bit.

CJ smiled at Josh, thinking that it was cute that he still respected his mother.

"Do you still live with Jenna?" Laura asked.

"Yes." CJ ordered the one-word answer, feeling Josh squeeze her hand as she did so.

The table was quiet, so she glanced over at Josh, who gave her a nod.

"I-I've been staying with Josh for a while, but I just moved back in." CJ explained.

"She just really missed me." Josh joked, answering the question that he knew his mom would ask next.

"Thank you." CJ mouthed to Josh after the chatter was taken off of her.

Josh simply kissed the back of her hand.

"Would you like a plate to take home?" Laura asked CJ as she cleared off the table.

CJ, who was hugged closed to Josh, looked up at him.

"You can answer her." Josh told her.

"That would be nice," CJ nodded. "Thank you."