ATTENTION: I have a few IMPORTANT announcements.
Dominic's Perspective: I'll post the link as the first inline comment to this little paragraph. I'll also post it on my page and attach it to this chapter as a link. I provide instructions there and if, after reading those, you have any questions just comment them here and I will respond. This link will 'close' (I'll just stop checking it) by June 1st, 2018 at 11:59 PM so make sure you vote ASAP (no rocky).
New Books: I will be posting some new books within the next few weeks. I'm getting covers from people currently and if you make covers, don't hesitate to PM me and I'll provide you the information for the books and you can create away. I accept covers from anyone and all the covers I don't choose will receive a dedication and shout out in the book! :) I want to try to be more active in those books. Next chapter of this one, I will be posting short descriptions for the new books to get you guys hyped up. :) [SPOILER: one of them is written in a boy's perspective]
I stand outside my house and peer down the street. Dominic texted me five minutes ago saying he's on the way and knowing him, he'll get here within the next 90 seconds. We just got home yesterday for break and he could barely contain his excitement. The entire car ride back, all we talked about was who we were going to tell, when, and how. He had the entire week planned from the moment we packed up the trunk. Today, we're telling my family. Tomorrow, we're telling his parents. Then on Tuesday, which is the only day we can get everyone together, we're telling his friends.
He slows to a stop in front of my house and hurriedly parks. He gets out and jogs towards me, enveloping me in a hug. "It's been a day," I tell him as I smile into his neck.
"So?" he replies in a whisper against my hair. I pull away and smile up at him.
"Are you ready?" I ask as I slowly back up towards the front door.
"The sooner they know, the more legitimate the relationship is," he responds as he follows my lead.
"If you live through dinner," I chuckle at him as I push open the door and let him in.
"Hello, Dominic," my sister greets him from the recliner. He smiles at her as I usher him to the kitchen, where my parents are setting the table. Mari trails in behind us, sniffing curiously. "Smells great."
"Sit, sit," my mom instructs all of us and we do. I drop in the seat beside Dominic, whose leg bounces rapidly from nerves. I give him a calming smile and he simply raises and drops his eyebrows as he steals a glance at my dad.
"Help yourselves," my father insists as he begins placing bowls of food on the table. "Also, it's nice to see you again, Dominic."
"You, too, Mr. Camacho," he mumbles quietly.
Once we get through the small talk about how the semester's coming along, I decide to intervene. "Actually," I cut in after briefly wiping my mouth. My sister stares at me curiously, waiting for what I'm about to say. "I have some news."
Dominic's leg bounces nervously beside me and I lightly touch his thigh. "Yeah?" my mom asks with a smile on her face. I hope she can restrain my dad long enough for Dominic to run outside and drive away. I told him that if my dad does manage to get out before he can get in the car, that he should run as fast as he can. But if he can make it to his car, he should drive back to school and barricade himself in his dorm.
"I have a boyfriend," I blurt and my dad's head jerks back in surprise. The table is silent for a few seconds as he slowly chews his food. He swallows and blinks at me, as if waiting for a 'haha just kidding,' When it doesn't come, he looks around to see how everyone else is taking the sudden news. My sister is staring at me with a small smirk and my mom is grinning excitedly. Dominic, on the other hand, is watching my dad cautiously.
"Come again?" my father finally responds with slightly narrowed eyes.
"What's his name?" my mom coos. "Do you have a picture of him? How'd you meet him?"
"Well..." I start. "His name is-."
"Me," Dominic blurts. I look over at him to see a small, nervous smile on his face. His hand is raised slightly as he looks between the gazes of my parents. "I'm her boyfriend."
My sister throws her head back and lets out a loud laugh, while simultaneously yelling "Finally!"
My dad looks between the two of us with a look of pure shock and disbelief. "Really?" my mom asks in satisfied surprise. My dad wears a sour expression while my mom nudges him. "I told you they liked each other!"
My father eyes Dominic while simultaneously taking a long sip of his wine. "You and I are going to have a talk," he insists. Dominic nods slowly and swallows anxiously.
"So how long has this been a thing?" my mom asks as she looks between the two of us with a happy smile.
"A little over a week..." I respond.
"Really?" my sister asks with a head tilt. "And you didn't tell me?"
"I wanted it to be a surprise," I say apologetically.
"Tell me again, how close are your dorms?" my father ponders aloud and Dominic and I look at each other. I fight the blush that spreads to my cheeks as I think about the late night four to five minute speed walk.
"Not too far," I answer and my dad takes another long sip of his drink, finishing it of this time.
"So are you going to make her go on birth control?" my sister blurts and my jaw drops in shock. My eyes dart to my father, whose eyes are wide. "You made me go on it when I got a boyfriend."
"Can we talk about that later?" I retort as I look at my mom, who gives a short nod.
The conversation continues and my mother eventually leads the topic away from me and Dominic once my father starts asking more threatening questions. Dinner comes to a close and I hurriedly attempt to usher Dominic outside but my father stops me and beckons my boyfriend over. The two of them disappear into the backyard and the rest of us watch from the window. Dominic stands with his hands in his pockets and puts a good gap of distance between him and my father.
Ten minutes pass and I sigh impatiently. "What's taking so long?" I hiss.
"Shut up, I'm trying to read their lips," my sister replies and I give her a short glare.
The conversation comes to a close with a hug, which surprises me. I stare in pure confusion and even my mother lets out a noise of curiosity. Dominic sees us staring out the window and gives us a wide eyed gaze before coming back into the house. I look at my father, who sighs quietly. "We're going to see a movie," I lie quickly in an attempt to get Dominic away from my dad.
"Okay..." my mom trails.
"Have fun," my sister smirks.
I offer my dad a smile and he heaves a sigh. "I need another drink," he grumbles and my mom rubs his back. Taking advantage of the shuffle in the kitchen, Dominic and I leave.
"What did he say?" I ask once we exit the house. He offers me a slow head shake.
"He said that he's always liked me and trusts that I'll treat you right," Dominic explains, which earns a nod from me. "But he also told me that he knows what guys my age think about. Then he told me to never try anything like that with you...ever. And he said he'll kill me if I ever think about touching you."
"Oh man..." I mumble awkwardly. We sit in silence for a few seconds as he starts the car.
"So...do you want to go back to my place?" he asks with a suggestive grin. A smirk breaks onto my face and I nod.
"Yeah, let's go," I insist. We drive to his house, where I notice his parent's cars sitting in the driveway. I turn to him with a flat look and he offers me an innocent smile.
"It is their house," he replies.
I push all thoughts of celebrating his survival out of my mind. We exit the car and he opens the front door of his house, which earns an excited bark from the small pup across the room. I spot Nox on the couch and let out a little coo.
"Hey, Mr and Mrs. Pierce," I greet Dominic's parents. I tap my thighs and call out Nox's name. He leaps off the couch and bounds over, jumping at my ankles. Not wasting a second, I quickly lift him into my arms just as Dominic grabs my shoulders.
"Guess what?" Dominic prompts a conversation with his parents. I look up at him curiously to find him grinning at his mom and dad. What's he doing?
"What?" his parents ask as I absentmindedly rub the puppy's stomach.
"Nova has been upgraded from best friend to girlfriend!" Dominic announces and I feel my face redden. So much for telling them at dinner. His mother smiles widely at me and his father chuckles proudly.
"Congratulations," they say as Dominic scoops Nox out of my hands.
"I know!" Dominic replies. "I've liked her for forever."
"We know," his mom comments as she winks at me.
"Anyway, we're going to go play some video games upstairs," Dominic excuses as he carries Nox with him.
"Leave the door open," his mom instructs as she brushes a strand of blonde hair out of her face. Dominic stops dead in his tracks and turns to her with a slightly confused look.
"Huh?" he asks.
"The door- leave it open," she insists and Dominic stumbles over his words slightly. I decide to pick up for his slack and nod at her.
"Will do," I respond before guiding Dominic upstairs with my hands on his back.
"What the hell does she think we're going to do?" he asks me once we reach his room.
"You and I both know what she thinks we're going to do," I retort. It is also what I hoped we would be doing before I discovered his parents were home.
"They're right downstairs! That's gross...and weird," he cringes. "Plus-," he holds up Nox, whose tongue hangs from his mouth as he pants excitedly, "why would I bring him up here with us?"
"She's a parent," I dismiss. "They say things like that."
"I'm 19 years old," he responds. "I don't need my mom telling me to leave my door open when I have a girl over. I'm literally in college! What do they think I do? Leave the door open when you're in my room there, too?"
"It is their house," I remind him as I pet Nox's dozing body.
"It's not even like they'll notice if it's closed. See? Look," he remarks as he gets off the bed.
He pushes the door shut and barely two seconds later, his dad's voice booms up the stairs. "Open that damn door, Dominic," he demands. Dominic quickly opens the door and looks around awkwardly.
"I mean, the room could use some circulation anyway," he mumbles as I laugh loudly from his bed.
It's hard to tell who's more excited when Tuesday comes around- me or Dominic. I would have to say my boyfriend, seeing as he decides to make Tuesday a very special day. He asks me out on a lunch date, which I obviously agree to. He insists I dress extra cute before clarifying that I regularly look good; he just needs me to look even better. When he arrives outside of my house, I join him in his car and give him a quick peck on the cheek. He grins broadly as he heads in the direction of whatever restaurant he picked out. "I see you took my advice," he compliments, which makes me smile.
"Extra cute enough for you?" I ask as I glance down at my yellow sweater. I'm told it brings out the melanin in my skin and makes me look like I'm glowing.
"I knew you could do it," he winks.
"So what's the occasion?" I ask him when I see that he also decided to dress up a bit. Knowing that I'd choose a vibrant color, he went for a white based outfit.
"Pictures," he answers.
"For?" I ask with a quirked brow.
"So I can post them later and let all of my followers know that we're officially dating," he replies as if it's obvious.
"All 2,000 of them?" I ask with a smirk.
"Yup," he answers, matching my expression. "I'm going to show you off." I grin at him as I fight off a blush. He opens his mouth before I can speak. "Let me guess: 'I hate you, Dominic.'"
"No," I respond with narrowed eyes. "I was going to say that I love you."
"Really?" he asks as his head snaps in my direction.
"Yeah, but you ruined it," I reply with a disappointed head shake.
"No, no, no, you can say it," he responds.
"Nope," I decline with crossed arms. I have to look out the window to hide my growing smile.
"I'll just say it over and over again until you have no choice but to say it back," he retorts. "I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you."
I let him continuously say it for two minutes before he starts to get louder. "Dominic," I press as I cringe away from the noise.
"I'll scream it to the rooftops," he cuts off. "I love you! I love you!"
"Fine!" I retort. "I love you, too."
"That's all it takes to make my day," he coos with a grin so large his eyes disappear.
We sit through lunch with him constantly taking pictures of me. At one point, I get fed up of not being able to eat without being worried about being caught off guard. I simply put my middle finger up in hopes that it'll stop him but it does not. "Ah, yes, Nova in her natural habitat. Keep it coming," he replies with an entertained smile. I glare at him behind his phone.
"If you post those pictures, I will hurt you," I hiss. "Everyone will see them and think I'm mean to you."
"You just threatened me!" he chuckles as he locks his phone and puts it down.
I narrow my eyes before pointing my fork at him. "I meant it, too," I snap.
Dominic practically leaps in the car when it's time to meet up with his friends. "Wait," I insist as I turn my camera to him. He immediately grins in his photogenic nature and I take a few pictures. I reach out and grab his face in my hand, cupping his chin. He gives me a flat look but the smile is there.
"Don't post those last couple of pictures," he insists once I remove my hand from his face.
"Why? Are you going to hurt me?" I ask teasingly.
He gives me a glance as he starts the car. "No, you may want to hurt me but I would never hurt you," he replies as he starts in the direction of the meeting place.
"Now you're just making me out to be a bad person," I retort, which gets a laugh from him.
"Can I hold your hand while I drive or will you attack me for not using two hands?" he asks. I extend my hand and he takes it, lacing his fingers through mine.
"I'm so excited," Dominic expresses as he speeds down the road. "They're not going to believe it."
I stare at him with a large grin. My best friend. My boyfriend. "Me, too," I confess.
"You're not nervous?" he asks as he glances at me.
"No," I reply with a smirk. "So whose house is it at again?"
"Adrian's," he responds with a chuckle. "I kind of want to record it. There's no way we can see everyone's reaction at once."
"I'll watch West. You watch Adrian," I chuckle and he laughs.
"Should I punch him in the face again when I say it?" he asks, which gets a hearty laugh from me.
"No," I answer him.
"Have you told Eli yet get?" he inquires as if suddenly hit with the thought. I told Kat and she was very, very happy for me.
"No," I reply before I'm have a realization. "Do you want to know something...kind of funny? You'll find it funny at least. It's more embarrassing for me."
"Yes," he responds.
"Okay, so do you remember when we got into the argument about how I wouldn't tell you the real reason Eli and I called things off?" I ask.
"Yes," he continues, growing intrigued.
"Well..." I start, feeling my face redden. "Do you remember what he and I were doing when he called things off?"
"His hand was in your pants, yes," he answers.
"Well...I kind of...sort of..." I trail awkwardly. This is much worse than I anticipated. Why did I think bringing this up would be a good idea?
"Spit it out," he insists.
"I moaned your name," I blurt, which gets a slow smirk out of him.
"That's amazing," Dominic says with a large grin on his face.
"I felt horrible," I confess.
"No, I get it. I probably would have teared up if I was in his shoes. But it's amazing for me," he clarifies. "Good to know that I was on your mind at a time like that."
"It was embarrassing," I grumble. "Eli and I laugh about it now but I don't think he'll ever get over that."
"Jeez, now I get it. You were a piece of shit to him," Dominic laughs loudly.
"I know," I join in.
We eventually reach Adrian's house and it appears as though we're the last ones to arrive. Dominic turns to me. "You ready?" he inquires, to which I nod eagerly in response.
We enter Adrian's house and he redirects us to the basement. "I have to go to the bathroom," I tell Dominic, who points at a door down the hall.
When I finish up, I find that the front door is now closed and the living room is empty. I venture to the basement door and slowly skip down the steps, looking around for a seat. I'm completely shocked to find that Raven and a few of her friends are here. Dominic is staring at me with slightly wide eyes and I glance at my phone and see that he tried to text me a warning while I was away.
My eyes scan over the guys and I nod appreciatively when I see that they're all here. It's kind of a plus that Raven's here. Now I have to ditch the plan to let Dominic announce our relationship and do something flirtatious to show her that we're together. Just as I go to sit in the seat Dominic saved for me, Adrian cuts across the room and takes it.
"That's Nova's seat," Dominic informs him and he glances down before looking up at me.
"This was your seat?" Adrian asks curiously.
"It's fine," I assure him as I back up and lean against the wall. The only other empty spot is near Raven and I don't want to sit next to her and end up fighting her before we break the news. She glances at me and I notice her annoyance. I guess I wasn't the only one surprised by someone's presence.
Adrian taps the very small spot between him and Dominic. "There's room over here," he insists and I glance at it. There's no way my hips are fitting there, nor would I want to be that close to him. I just laugh in response and he leans back in his seat. "I hear my lap is pretty comfortable."
I stare at him with a slightly wrinkled nose. "Adrian-," Dominic starts, sounding irritated.
"No," I cut Dominic off. "It's fine."
"You can sit here," he says as he stands up to give me his set.
I walk over and lightly push him so he falls back into a sitting position. Daringly, I drop into his lap, which earns a quirked brow from Adrian. The other guys laugh loudly at the blatant disregard. I don't bother listening to them tease Adrian and instead, glance at Raven, who rolls her eyes and whispers something to her friends. I want to ask what she said but decide against it. I lay back against Dominic's chest and he wraps an arm around my waist.
Adrian stares at us with slightly narrowed eyes before starting a conversation. "I forgot how close you guys are," he comments absentmindedly. A smirk falls onto his lips and I'm flashed back to high school. I can tell what's coming. "How is he in bed?"
"Adrian-," Dominic starts but I stop him.
"It's okay, Dominic," I reply dismissively. "You know, Adrian, I was hoping you'd ask that."
"Really?" Adrian retorts as he stares at Dominic behind me.
"Yes because I can finally provide you with an answer," I retort, which gets a confused chorus of 'huh's from the onlookers. "I know you've been wondering for a very long time. For your information, he's actually very good. Talented- 100/10 if I had to rate him." Dominic laughs loudly as his arms come around my waist in a backwards hug.
"What?" I see Raven mouth from across the room.
I give her a small frown and head shake. "You know, it's a shame you never got a chance. Or should I say that he never gave you one? You definitely put yourself out there...a lot," I reply in a forced sad tone. She gapes at me and blinks slowly.
Dominic lets out a muffled laugh as he shakes his head. "Surprise..." Dominic says as he peeks around my shoulder. "We're a thing now."
"Wait a minute!" West yells. "You're hickey girl?"
I give him a slow nod and Jack also comes to a realization. "So all those times you guys were 'cuddling' with the door locked..." he trails.
"Sorry," I reply with a small smirk on my lips. Dominic tips his head back and laughs loudly. I revel in the noise as I shoot Raven another dirty look. She stares with an annoyed look on her face, which only makes me smirk wider.
"Am I the only one that did not see that coming?" West suggests. "I thought you were going to curve him into a deep, dark depression, Nova."
"I'm not that surprised," Jack mumbles. "Not after the night she drank."
"Who knew you had already seen his goods?" West mumbles and Dominic narrows his eyes at him.
"Please don't refer to any part of my body as 'goods,'" Dominic remarks and West just lets out a laugh.
Adrian just sits there with a slightly bitter expression on his face, which gets a large grin from Dominic, who leaves a light kiss on my neck. I sit back in satisfaction as the conversation picks back up. Eventually, the event comes to an end because Adrian's parents tell him they're coming home soon so we slowly exit the house.
"How long have you been waiting to say all of that?" Dominic asks as we get out to the car.
"Such a long time," I confess. I grab his hand and swing it lightly as we walk to his car. I glance over my shoulder and see Raven and her friends staring at us. "Look who it is."
He glances back and laughs. He catches me off guard by lightly grabbing my chin and kissing me for a few seconds. I revel in it, grabbing his shirt and pulling him close to me. I smile into the kiss and he laughs when he pulls away. "You're a jerk," I whisper in an amused tone.
"Don't act like you didn't want to do it, too," he replies as he leaves a light kiss on my forehead. He opens the door for me and I grin at him and get in. I stare at Raven, who gets into the passenger side of her friend's car, slamming the door noisily. Dominic gets in and grins at me. "Do you think she saw?"
"I think so," I reply with a matching grin. He grabs my hand after starting the car and smiles at me.
"I love you," he tells me. I bite the urge to tell him to shut up so instead, I go with the words I've held back for a long time.
"I love you, too."