Boundaries

AN: This story references mental health issues people suffer from in varying degrees within their daily life.

Prologue

Astrid giggled at something Eret said before taking a sip of her Raspberry tea. They were in an Italian restaurant tonight. Eret had insisted on taking her out since it was her 26th birthday. The restaurant wasn't anything too fancy but they had a great menu. It was also one of her favorite places as the booths were arranged so it looked more private, and Eret knew this. She had told him early on in the relationship that she didn't do well in crowds and so far he'd respected that. Last year for their second anniversary they went for a leisurely stroll on the beach and it had been just perfect.

"What are you thinking about?" Astrid asked as she saw Eret just playing around a bit with his Italian pot roast. She herself had opted for the Tortellini Primavera and was nearly halfway through her entree.

"Oh," Eret said as if snapping out of his thoughts. "I was just wondering if you'd want to share the Tiramisu,"

"Don't you think of even hogging all the Tiramisu," Astrid said threateningly. He knew she had a sweet tooth and had been eyeing the dessert menu all evening.

After dinner, the couple got back into Eret's car and he started driving to his apartment, which actually wasn't that far. Probably a twelve-minute drive.

"You know you should just move in with me," Eret said as smooth jazz played over the radio. He stopped at an intersection and looked at Astrid "You basically already live at my place,"

Astrid knew he had a point. Over the two... three years they had been together she had moved some of her stuff into his palace. An extra toothbrush here, a hairdryer, some shoes.... Clothes...... her workplace was closer to Eret's apartment than her own so she brought her stuff over if she was staying the night. He'd even given her his extra key for when he had to work late.

'Eret did have a point.' she thought. She could terminate the lease on her place, save a bunch of money and just move in with her boyfriend. It was nearing three years now that they had been in a relationship. The extra money could go to their vacation fund.

They had arrived at Eret's apartment building. A rather ugly-looking modern design in Astrid's opinion though Eret was extremely proud of it as it was designed by the Architectural firm he worked for. He parked the car on the street. Astrid got out at the same time as him and she smiled as he opened the door for her. Within no time they were in the elevator and Astrid was wondering if they should watch Netflix for the rest of the night. A quiet evening in seemed ideal.

Eret's apartment was dark when he opened the door. To her, this had seemed odd as he often left the lights in the kitchen on. As soon as she walked in the doorway the lights to the apartment switched on and numerous people jumped out yelling "SURPRISE!!!"

Astrid staggered back from the shouting with a hand over her heart. The rapid thumping of the organ did not decrease as she took in the decorated apartment filled with 'Happy Birthday' signs. The apartment was spacious but now it looked so tiny as it was filled with her parents and older sister, Eret's parents, some of her colleagues from work, and his coworkers which she didn't know.

The only thing running through Astrid's mind when she saw the surprise party was "THOR IN A FREAKING WEDDING DRESS! THE HELL DID ERET DO?!" Her heart was hammering in her chest at the prospect of having to talk to all these strangers. She bit her lip and swallowed the bile rising in her throat.

"Happy Birthday sweetheart!" Eret proclaimed as he kissed her cheek though she barely felt it as her social anxiety was paralyzing her in the entryway.