"Everything is going to be fine, Tobias." Gwen smiled at me from across the dining room table. We were setting up the plates and silverware while Dad was preparing prime ribs with a side of mashed potatoes, peas, and broccoli.

I was on salad duty which I always loved. I actually loved cooking beside him some days as he promised to show me some special recipes. Our favourite thing to cook throughout the winter was ramen which was amazing on those cold winter nights.

Gwen, Jude, and I would get all toasty on the couch and bundle up with our hot bowls of ramen while watching Brooklyn 99. It was amazing.

Now that it's spring, we need to think of a new dish to perfect.

"I guess I'm a little jittery." I smiled, folding up a napkin.

"I'd say. You've been refolding this poor napkin for ten minutes." She said, pinching my ear. I laughed as she took my napkin from me.

"I'm so excited! My boy is coming home tonight." Jude covered up the ribs under tin foil and started to dance around the kitchen.

"Careful or you're going to hurt yourself." Gwen laughed, dancing behind him. He threw his hands over her shoulders as they swayed to the beat of the music. Of course, he was playing his favorite song, Too Experienced by Barrington Levy. It always made him want to dance.

I couldn't help but laugh.

"Oh, come on. You're involved in this too." Jude said, waving his hands for me to come and join in the dancing party.

I wrapped my arms around their waists as we swayed side to side to the music. I can't believe these two have turned me into such a sap but I love them for it. Maybe I was always this person and they make me more of myself.

All of a sudden, we heard an awkward cough coming from behind us.

There he stood. Does he just keep getting taller? He's more muscular too. I tried not to stare but it was hard.

Something about Elijah has changed. He looked older, more mature, and more experienced.

Although, his hair still looked amazing as always. His chestnut wavy brown hair fell around his face and into his eyes which I always loved.

Loved? Jesus, I needed to get ahold of myself.

Gwen, Jude, and I broke apart from our hug. I rushed over to switch the music off and to avoid the long-lasting eye contact that was going on between Elijah and me.

"Elijah!" Jude cried out, rushing over and nearly toppling him down in a huge bear hug. I shifted on my feet as I buried my hands into my jeans pockets.

"Dad!" He smiled, laughing into the hug. "I missed you." He said holding on tightly.

I couldn't help but notice that a young black haired woman was standing back in the doorway of the kitchen. That must be his girlfriend.

I shifted awkwardly, passing around the two men hugging.

"Hey, I'm Tobias." I smiled, holding out my hand.

"Hey! Katelyn." She smiled back, shaking my hand.

I stepped back and continued to watch the two of them welcome each other.

"I've got so much to tell you about school and the trip, and everything."

"I can't wait to hear it, son. I'm so happy you're home." Jude said gripping his cheeks between his hands. "But first, we feast!" He pointed up to the sky.

We all laughed as Elijah said hello to Gwen giving her a warm hug.

"Dad, Gwen, this is my girlfriend, Katelyn." Elijah smiled. He didn't look all that enthused.

I watched as Jude and Gwen hugged her tightly. "I'm so happy you were able to make it."

That's when everything went silent. See, normally, this would be the time that I'd be introduced but clearly, no one knows how to navigate that situation so here we are.

"Elijah, it's nice to see you." I gave a quick smile and a wave.

Elijah's eye contact was debilitating. "Right." He answered.

"Well, I guess we should dive into our dinner. I don't know about you but I'm starved." Jude said clapping his hands and walking to the table.

I breathed out a long breath. This was going to be fun.

☀️☀️☀️

Dinner was interesting, to say the least. It consisted of mostly Jude and Elijah catching up as the rest of us proceeded to watch and listen on.

No one even mentioned anything my way at all. I haven't been asked anything. But Elijah sure knew how to make me feel uncomfortable with all his little glances my way.

Ugh! I could break this plate over his head.

"Tobias, why don't you dish out your salad that you made." Jude smiled at me. I got up out of my seat and started walking over with the salad bowl to begin dishing it out on everyone's plate.

"Oh, I'm okay Dad. I'm stuffed. That was such a delicious meal. I've missed your cooking. So many caf dinners." He said rubbing his stomach.

"You're too full for salad?" I asked.

His smile dropped from his face as he looked at me dead in the eye. "Yeah, is that a problem?"

"It's a salad. It's not going to fill you."

"Well, I don't like that salad."

"How do you even know what type of salad it is?"

"Well, is it Caesar salad?"

"No."

"Well, that's the only kind I like." He said crossing his arms over his chest.

I bit my tongue. This was embarrassing and clearly a ruse to get under my skin. "Would anyone else like salad?"

"Yes, please!" Katelyn piped up. Elijah shot a sharp look at her which clearly made her nervous. I thought it was hilarious.

Walking over, I realized she barely ate anything on her plate from dinner.

"Did you not have any prime rib?" I asked.

"No, I'm vegetarian." She smiled. Jude and Gwen both gasped.

"It's okay! Don't worry, I totally didn't mind. Everything else was so good." She tapped her stomach.

"Elijah, why didn't you tell us? We made so much meat!" Jude questioned. "We're practically carnivores in this house. We're so sorry, we would've prepared something else if we had known—"

Elijah looked embarrassed. "Honestly, I totally forgot." He looked at Katelyn. "I'm so sorry...babe."

I wanted to puke. Babe? Come on. Who are they trying to fool? I rolled my eyes.

"Do you have a problem?" Elijah asked as I sat back down.

"No, why?" I huffed.

"You just seem like you have something to say." He shrugged.

"It's just sort of funny that you don't know your own girlfriend's food preferences," I said nonchalantly.

"Boys. Enough." Jude interrupted.

We both sat back in our seats, clearly too involved in each other to remember that others were watching.

"Sorry, Dad."

"Sorry, Jude."

We both said at the same time.

Jude laughed. "Weirdly enough, it kind of reminds me of when you two were young. You always used to fight like this." He shook his head.

A sadness washed over me. Even when we used to fight, I always knew I was his favorite person at the end of the day. Fighting was always met with love at the end of it all and now all we have is nothing.

"May I be excused? I'm feeling tired all of a sudden." I asked, looking at Jude and Gwen.

"Yeah, of course. You know you don't have to ask." Jude said, shock in his voice.

"Sorry, I just–" I pushed back my chair and headed to the guest bedroom. Sadly, it was right beside Elijah's bedroom so that will be a weird adjustment over this next week.

I closed the door and finally was able to take a breath of air. I feel like ever since Elijah stepped through those doors, I've been strangled, gasping for air.

To think I have to go through a week of this.

☀️

Authors Note:

Awwwwkward.