"We should have dinner on Sunday"
"Ooooo ok!"

Zack: btw my mom is really excited to see you again and so is Genevieve
Me: Aww! I'm excited to see them too!!
Zack: just a few more hours
Me: yep! I'm about to go get ready
Zack: send pictures
Me: once I'm dressed I might
Zack: 😂 sounds good

I stand in the bathroom twisting and turning in front of the mirror trying to take a good picture to send to Zack. Sadly there's no angle in this mirror that the camera can see the flame patterned shoes I'd paired wjth my red dress. I take a few pictures, send a couple to Zack, and send them all to Ash.
I head back up to my room and take a few more pictures in the bigger mirror in there that truly captures the outfit; the slightly short red dress with the mostly black shoes with flames on them.
"Lana!" Aunt Marie calls, "what time are you going to be back from Zacks house?"
"Nine!" I call back, "at the latest!"

"Lana!" Zacks mom pulls me into a hug, "it's been so long!"
Surprised at first, I take in a deep breath. After a moment I breathe out slowly and melt into the hug.
"I know!" I pull back slowly and look to my left where Zacks little sister, Genevieve, is standing, "Hey kid!"
Genevieve latches around my waist, "never leave again."
"Lana, we just started the first Pirates of the Caribbean movie," James calls from the couch, "come watch!"
I glance over to Zack who nods and begins leading the way, placing one hand on my waist.

I push the Mashed potatoes around on my plate as I try to find a good bit to scoop onto my roll. Just as I've got it scooped onto my roll and I take a bite, Zack's mom begins to speak.
"So, Lana," she begins, "how'd you like California?"
I cover my mouth with embarrassment, dipping my head for a moment to finish chewing.
"I liked meeting new people and living differently than I did here," I answer carefully, "it was cool having my own bathroom," I laugh.
Everyone at the table laughs, though I sense a odd tone in the laughter. They have like three bathrooms in this place I sigh, regretting my joke choice. Ash's family would've gotten it-
"I can't imagine having to share a bathroom with my whole family," Genevieve shakes her head, "too many people."
"Her family is the same size, Genevieve," James rolls his eyes.
I smile awkwardly, trying to not make eye contact with anybody and I take a bite of the steak.
"How are you liking your job so far?" Zack's dad asks.
"Its nice!" I nod, glad to be off the subject of my families time spent in an appartment, "I enjoy the concept of being paid."
"Zack needs to get himself a job," Zacks dad says, motioning to Zack with the fork in his hand, "he needs to earn his college fund," the whole family laughs and I join in awkwardly.
I try to cheer up and get through the rest of the meal but the differences between our families keep throwing themselves at me. They're religious, they spend a lot of time together, they've got this gorgeous house that Zack's lived in his whole life-
"I'm going to go use the restroom," I stand myself up slowly, placing my napkin on the table.
"You can use the one by Zacks room or the one by our room," Zacks mom smiles.
So many rooms... I feel my body shaking as I attempt to take in deep breaths.
I use the restroom quickly, wash my hands, then sit down on the edge of the bathtub for a moment to breathe. It's ok, opposites attract, right?