We walked back down stairs after… you know… Antonio looked like he was about to barf. He thought we were innocent, idiot.
"Carlos, our cousins and stuff are going to be here later so I hope you got all of that out of your system" Antonio whispered to me
"They're staying here?" I whined
"I'll keep him under control" Jenna assured Antonio
"You seemed as willing as him… so, I don't trust you either" Antonio said, nervously
"That was his fault, and I'm the one with the control here, I'll keep him under control. I promise" Jenna said to Antonio
"I won't…, I'll be under control" I said
"Alright…" Antonio said slowly and reluctantly
He backed away slowly and I pulled Jenna in for a kiss. She kissed me back but pulled away soon after.
"Control young Carlos, control" she said, smiling
"Why?" I whined "They aren't even here yet" I added
"We both need practice with refraining from each other, we had better start now" she sighed
"Does that mean you can't kiss me?" I teased
She answered by pressing her lips to mine gently. I tried to push farther but she wouldn't let me. She is the one with the control here. I need to gain some control. If I don't, we'll never make it through this family get together. It wouldn't really be good for my aunts and uncles to come for a visit and learn that their "sweet little Carlos" regularly does his girlfriend.
I brought Jenna over to the couch, if I couldn't do what I really wanted I was at least going to get some make out and cuddle time. Stupid family, why do they have to stay here? Oh well, there's nothing I can do about it.
"Carlos, control yourself" Jenna said as I kissed her
"I won't take it that far, I just wanna kiss you" I said and gave her the best puppy dog face I could muster
"Ok" she sighed and smiled "You and your stupid puppy dog face" she muttered playfully
"You know you can't resist it" I teased
"Yeah, I do and it's dangerous" she said and looked around "You better not use it for certain purposes" she said
"I won't" I promised "Now can we kiss?" I asked with a smile
She giggled and kissed me. We pulled apart and I started to tickle her. I know she's very ticklish so this is very fun for me. She laughed so hard she was crying and pleaded for me to stop. I would yell "NEVER!" and keep tickling her. I didn't even stop when I heard the door open and someone shout hello. I only stopped when I was tapped on the shoulder by my aunt.
"Hi Aunt Chris" I said with an apologetic look
"Hey Carlos" my cousin called from the door
"I believe that introductions are in order" my uncle said from behind my aunt
"Ok, everyone, this is my girlfriend Jenna, Jenna, this is my Aunt Chris, Uncle Steve, Kyle, Jeff, and Claire" I said
"Nice to meet you" Jenna said, holding her hand out for my uncle and aunt to shake
When they didn't shake her hand, she grabbed my hand and partially hid behind me. She started to get nervous and to tell you the truth, I was nervous too. I figured they wouldn't accept her but I didn't think they would be so rude about it. I stroked the back of her hand with my thumb, trying to calm her down. They pushed her into one of her clingy moments… great… We all just stood there awkwardly. Thank God Antonio walked in and broke the awkward tension. He ran up and hugged them all. They seemed really happy to see him, do they really not want me to grow up that much? I turned around and looked at Jenna. She looked worried.
"Don't worry, they'll warm up to you" I reassured her
"They hate me" she said
"They just don't know you yet" I said as I pushed some hair behind her ear
"I really hope you're right" she whispered
I kissed her forehead for longer than necessary. If they don't accept her… this is going to be a long week. They just need to get to know her, that's all. I hope.
Claire walked right up to us, she is two years older than me. She had a nice smile on her face. At least one person will give Jenna a chance. Claire just turned twenty and has had many boyfriends so she has lots of experience with our families hating the ones we love.
"So Carlos, you finally found a girl?" Claire asked me
"Hi, I'm Claire" she said with a smile, holding her hand out for Jenna to shake
Jenna smiled in return "I'm Jenna" she said, shaking her hand but still staying partially hidden behind me
"They just don't know you, they'll warm up to you" Claire said
"I hope so" Jenna whispered
"You seem really nice and you must be if Carlos likes you so they will definitely warm up to you" Claire said with a smile
"Thanks" Jenna said with a smile
"Hey!" Claire said, looking at Jenna's hand "Is that a promise ring?" she asked with a huge smile
"Yeah" Jenna replied shyly
"So you two aren't just dating, you're in love too?" she asked
"Yes we are" I said proudly
"That's great!" Claire exclaimed
I kissed the side of Jenna's head and she came out from behind me. "What about you? What's going on in the wonderful world of Claire?" I asked
"Well, college is hard but I found a guy, we aren't official yet though" she said
"What's his name?" Jenna asked
"Jake, he's a really sweet guy" Claire replied
"How old is he?" I asked
"Twenty-one" Claire said
"What's he look like?" Jenna asked
"He is six foot five and has black hair and lots of muscles" Claire said dreamily
"Sounds hot" Jenna said with a smile, I shot her a hurt look "Oh you know I love you" she said, hitting me lightly in the chest
"Worried she'll leave you Carlos?" Claire asked jokingly
"She wouldn't do that, would you?" I asked Jenna
"No, of course not" Jenna said sadly
"Oh you two are too cute!" Claire said laughing "Are you keeping him in check?" Claire asked Jenna
"I'm trying my best" Jenna said with a smile
"Good, look, I gotta go say hi to your mom" Claire said to me before leaving
"At lease she likes me" Jenna said sadly
"Babe" I sighed before pulling her into a hug, kissing her forehead
"No, I'm serious, the rest of them already hate me" Jenna said against my chest
"Don't worry about them, I love you and that's all that matters" I said, pulling her chin up so she would look me in the eyes
"I love you too" she said before kissing me sweetly
"Nobody can some between us, it doesn't matter if they love or hate you, I'm going to be with you and there's nothing they can say or do about it" I said
She hugged me and tucked her face into my neck "You're mine forever" I whispered
"Are any more of your relatives coming?" Jenna asked against my neck
"Sadly, yes" I sighed
"Are they going to hate me too?" she asked
"I don't know" I said
As if on cue, the doorbell rang and more of my relatives rushed in to find me hugging Jenna. Unbelievable! I reluctantly let go of Jenna again and she went back to holding my hand.
"Who's the slut?" one of my cousins asked
I gave him a menacing glare "That slut is my girlfriend, so shut the fuck up" I said back
"Sorry Carlos" he said halfheartedly
"Hey kid!" my cousin Andrew said, coming up to man-hug me
"Hey Andrew" I said and then I introduced Jenna to everyone, once again, they didn't shake her hand. Andrew was the only one who was nice to her out of my Aunt Jen, Uncle George, Kevin, Amanda, or Sarah. I am really hating my family right now!
"So, how long have you two been together?" Andrew asked
"Over a year right?" I asked Jenna
"Yup, somewhere around there" she said and smiled
"Really, that long?" he asked
"Yeah, and we will be together for a long time so can you tell them to back off?" I asked, pointing to his direct family
"Long time? What makes you so sure?" he asked
Jenna showed him her promise ring "Someday, we're going to get married" she said
"You crazy kids" Andrew teased
"So are you the same age or older than Carlos?" Andrew asked Jenna
"Actually, he turned eighteen before I did" she said with a smile
"Really? Wow… Look, I know my family doesn't like you yet but I'm sure they'll warm up to you" Andrew told Jenna
"When?" she asked
"Hard to tell, Kevin may take until the last day we're here because he's a stubborn little son of a bitch" Andrew said and laughed, I laughed a little too, knowing it was true
"That makes me feel so much better" Jenna muttered sarcastically
"Don't worry about them, we're all just protective of this little kid" Andrew said, playfully punching my shoulder
"Thanks" I muttered "You do know that I'm not a kid anymore" I said
"I do… but they don't" Andrew said, jerking a thumb over his shoulder, pointing to the rest of our family
"Do any of them like you?" he asked Jenna
"Claire does, but other than that, nope" she replied sadly
"Well, I like you!" Andrew said happily
Jenna's face lit up "Thanks" she said
"No problem kid" Andrew said back
I kissed the side of her head and wrapped my arm around her waist instead of holding her hand as Andrew walked away. She sighed and we sat down on the couch. She snuggled up next to me. I wanted her to sit in my lap but I decided not to ask, not wanting my family to hate her even more. I kept my arm securely around her waist as she wrapped her arms around my waist and snuggled up against me even more. I could feel my family's eyes on us and I could hear them whispering but I couldn't tell what they were saying. I decided to ignore them and focus on Jenna. I hope she doesn't take my family's rude behavior to heart. She's too important to me to get pushed away by my family.
Kyle ended up coming over and sitting next to Jenna. She looked at him and gave him some more space, clinging to me. He smirked at the TV.
"Hey Kyle" I said
"Hey Carlos" he said, looking right over Jenna and not acknowledging her at all
"Whatever" I grumbled and pulled Jenna off of the couch with me
I told Jenna to head up to my room so we could get away from my family. I was going to get a drink before going up myself.
-Jenna's POV-
I was on my way to the stairs when I bumped into someone. It was Jeff. He knocked me over and I landed on the hard wood floor with a thud.
"Sorry Jenna!" he said, helping me up
"It's ok, I guess I should watch where I'm going" I said, looking at my feet
"You know, I don't actually hate you like most of the people here" he said
"You don't?" I asked, looking up at him
"No, I don't, I think it's wrong for them to all hate you without getting to know you first" he said
"Thanks Jeff" I said back
"You remember names, good, that will get you somewhere with these people" he said smiling
I smiled back "I hope I can get somewhere, I don't like it when people hate me" I whispered
"Tell me about yourself" Jeff said, changing the subject
"Ok, to start, I am in love with Carlos" I said, getting that out of the way "But I can be a little unstable" I said, embarrassed
"How so?" he asked
"Well, I can't handle it when people yell at me and I have abandonment issues" I said with a small voice
"Why?" he asked, genuinely curious
"Don't go spreading this around to everyone here ok? I don't want to be a charity case" I said
"I completely understand, in fact, come with me" he said, grabbing my hand and pulling me into a bedroom "Ok, now tell me"
"You aren't going to tell anyone?" I asked
"I promise, I'll let you tell them if you want to" he said
"This is pretty personal, but I guess since we are going to be family eventually…" I started
"I won't judge or tell anyone" he said seriously
I was about to tell him when I got a text from Carlos. "Hang on, sorry" I said
"No problem"
Carlos asked me where I was and I replied. Then I asked Carlos if I should tell Jeff what I've been through and he said it was a good idea.
"Ok, so, my dad used to verbally abuse me as a kid" I said, Jeff looked concerned "The day I turned fourteen, he packed up and left without a word. That's the basis of my problems" I said
"Is that it?" he asked
"No, ok, as you've probably noticed, I'm unhealthily skinny" I said
"Yeah I did notice" he said
"I don't have an eating disorder or anything but over the summer, my dad decided to come back into my life. He showed up at my camp and kidnapped me during the night. He locked me in a jail looking warehouse and beat me every day. At first, I tried to fight it but I gave up. He never gave me any food except for one apple and a bottle of water. He starved me for eleven days. I was near death when Carlos, Logan, Kendall and James found me" I said
"You're kidding right?" he asked
"No, I'm not, look" I lifted my shirt and showed him one of my scars that was on my stomach
"Oh my God!" he said
"Yeah, so… that's pretty much my life story" I said shrugging
"Did Carlos like you before that?" he asked
"We were already in love before he knew about any of my problems" I reassured him
"I have never even experienced anything remotely that bad in my twenty- six years" he said
"Yeah, my life has been pretty shitty" I sighed
"I see" he said, running a hand through his hair
"Now, if you'll excuse me, I am starting to feel clingy so I have to go find Carlos" I said before walking out the door
I walked through the mob of people in the living room and found Carlos. I attached myself to him. He smiled and wrapped his arms around me tightly. We let go and he pulled me up to his bedroom. Antonio shot us a warning glance as we left and Carlos shook his head, meaning we weren't going to do anything. He laid down on his bed and I laid down next to him. He pulled me on top of him and I snuggled into his chest. I smiled as I pressed my face into his chest. He kissed the top of my head and smiled.
"How'd it go with Jeff?" he asked, stroking my hair
"Pretty good, he told me that he never hated me in the first place and when I told him my story he really felt for me y'know?" I said
"I'm glad, see, I told you that my family would warm up to you" he said
"Three down, a bunch to go" I sighed
"Don't worry about it" he said
"I love you" I said
"I love you too" he said
We cuddled for about an hour when someone came up to find us. Too bad it was Carlos' Aunt Chris, not someone who actually liked me.
"Get out from under that bitch and come down and be with your family" she groaned to Carlos
"What makes you think she's a bitch?" Carlos asked
"She's probably just using you" she grumbled and left the room
My eyes started to water with the tears that were threatening to fall "No, I'm not" I said to her assumption but it came out shaky and tear filled
"Baby please don't cry" Carlos whispered
"Sorry, that last one hurt. I am not using you, I could never do that" I whispered
"I know, she just doesn't understand how we feel about each other" Carlos sighed
"I know and it sucks" I said, wiping my tears away
We sat up "Baby, come here" Carlos said, opening his arms for me. I snuggled up against him "Let it out babe" he said, kissing the top of my head
"I shouldn't be crying over this, it just hurts, they act like it's wrong for me to love you" I said and sniffled
"I know babe, I know" he said, snuggling his face into my hair
"Why don't they understand? Why?" I asked
"I don't know babe, we probably never will fully understand them"
I stopped crying and Carlos wiped away all my tears. He kissed my forehead and took me to wash my face. When I was satisfied and it didn't look like I had been crying, Carlos and I went downstairs. He held me close to him and glared at his Aunt Chris as we passed her. I kept clinging to him as we passed more of his family and I received many glares and angry grumblings. The words I could make out were always along the lines of "bitch" "slut" or "whore". I'm not a bitch, slut or a whore! Why are these people so mean to me?
a/n… well, drama within the family… whatcha think?
Jenna