During the first week of the mid-semester break, Seth and I spend plenty of time together whether that be as a group or alone time in either of our rooms and today was one of those nights. Seth and I were settled in his bedroom in the frat house, cuddled closely together on his bed despite the bed being queen sized. My head was resting on his chest and I revelled in the feeling of being this close to him without the scrutinising eyes of others.

Since it was Seth's turn to decide which movie we watched, he had settled on the thrilling action movie 'I am Legend,' and it was safe to say that there was more than one reason why I am huddled so closely to Seth. "I swear to God, I don't care how many people die in this movie, but if that dog dies I can't make any promises that I won't cry." The beautifully coloured German Shepherd made the movie and with how precious and loyal he was, I would be severely pissed if he didn't make it.

Seth becomes tight-lipped and remains silent regarding my rant and I immediately know that angry and emotional Lily would be coming out tonight. Not too long after I've made my comments, a scene begins where Will Smith's character gets caught in his own damn trap and I can already foresee the coming events.

"What an idiot. Like what the fuck. How stupid can you be!" My voice portrays my rage and I have the sudden urge to rip my hair out of my head in annoyance. Minutes go on and the infected people come rushing out to stand along the line of the pavement which has a remaining sliver of sun, protecting Will and the dog. The only thing keeping them safe and it's slowly disappearing as the sunsets behind the city buildings. The poor dog attempts to save Will to the best of its ability before being bitten by one of those evil bloody monsters and that scene alone brings tears to my eyes.

"Motherfucker," I try to say it with spite but my words come out garbled because those brimming tears have overflown and my throat is thick.

"Are you seriously crying right now, it's just a dog and it's just a movie?" He chuckles as he pulls me even closer into his arms—as if we weren't already past the point of closeness—letting me cry into his shirt even though he'll get stains. "There, there. It's okay, I'm sure he'll go to doggy heaven."

I scoff and smack his chest but thinking about the movie also reminds me of my own German Shepherd and just how much I miss having him around.

As if reading my thoughts, as per usual, Seth tentatively brings up a topic I hadn't ever thought we would discuss: Meeting each other's parents, or guardians in my case. "So I've been thinking, and it's totally cool if you're not okay with the idea, but I thought it would be good since our guardians since they don't live very far from campus. If you'd like, I thought you could come to celebrate my little brother's birthday with me and meet my mum, we could also drop in a see your aunt and uncle, oh and Zeus." As he awaits my answer he nervously wrings his hand around the back of his neck, his eyes downcast.

Even though the idea of meeting the people who mean so much to him and trying to make a good first impression frightens me, I respond with, "I'd really like that."

His expression changes almost immediately and he beams, brushing my last tears from my eyes as he places a feather-light kiss to my lips before returning his attention to the movie.

"Oh, and my mum said we stay at hers while we're visiting and sleep together in my old room. She's really excited to meet you."

"Wait, what." My mouth drops in shock as he grins cheekily, once again saying nothing. "I'm beginning to think you're trouble, King."

"But you like trouble." He spares a glance to wink at me.

"Yeah, maybe I'm beginning to..."

#

The 12thof June arrives and Seth and I load our individual duffle bags into the boot of his Jeep and set off towards his childhood home. I found it off that as a child, I had lived in the same neighbourhood as him, and yet I'd never seen him around. I would have at least expected to have seen him around primary school unless I just don't remember, which is extremely likely, I forget everything.

I know it's about an hour and a half drive to reach Hillcrest and though it's not extremely long, it's already beginning to feel like one of those days where I just feel exhausted for no reason. It might be because I'm subconsciously dreading the upcoming events but I take the drive as an opportunity to have a nap.

When we arrive, Seth nudges me awake from my sleep and I vaguely detect him murmuring the words "we're here."

I stretch in my seat, unbuckling my seatbelt before reaching into the back to retrieve the present I bought for Seth's little brother, Levi. The trip to Target to find the perfect present for a nine-year-old was not an enjoyable experience for someone who can't even pick which toothpaste she should buy. Searching the aisles, I had been under a lot of stress and even though Seth had told me that I didn't need to bring a present, I thought it was only fair if I was going to be there on the day.

Levi could either think this was the best or worst gift in the world and it had taken a lot of deliberation on my part, but for some reason, I had settled on a toy firetruck with a picture of a suited-up firefighter in the window. Somehow, I found it ironic out of all the toys in the aisle this is the one I'd picked, one that related closely to my parent's death and my anxiety.

Seth and I hop out of the car and unload the boot and make our way towards the front door. I hadn't even taken the time to notice the house in front of me but it felt, homey to say the least.

It was a colonial style house that had been rendered a light grey tone with a bay window. Leading up to the house was a stone pathway surrounded by garden features from small trees to Calla Lilies and I find myself laughing. Before we even reach the porch, the front door opens and a boy, almost a mirror image of what I imagined Seth to have looked like as a child, rushes up to Seth who drops his duffle in enough time to catch the boy in his arms and swing him around.

The sound of a childish giggling fills my ears and brings a smile to my face and reminds me of how it felt to be so carefree and happy.

"Levi Alexander King, you stop mauling your brother right this instant. I did not raise an animal." My eyes meet those of who I'd assume to be Seth's mother, Evangeline. She was absolutely stunning for her age with her dirty blonde hair and ocean blue eyes sparkling with laughter at her two sons. She was dressed in casual blue jeans and a floral top peaking behind the turquoise apron she wore.

Nervously, I wring my hands together and take deep breaths, reminding myself to keep calm because there was nothing wrong with meeting Seth's family. Having finally placed Levi back on his own feet, Seth comes to stand beside me once again, Levi in tow.

"Mum, I'd like you to officially meet, Lily. Lily, this is my mum, Evangeline and this little runt here is Levi." With that, he rubs his hand over Levi's curly mop of hair which he pretends not to enjoy.

"Seth! I'm not a piglet, I'm a human boy." He crosses his hands over his chest and faces away from Seth, his lip turned in a frown, but it's not long before he's returning to his brother for another hug.

Evangeline steps out of the threshold of the door and extends a hand towards me in greeting, "Angie is fine, Evangeline seems so formal these days." I tuck Levi's present under my left arm and shake her hand with my right.

"It's nice to meet you, Seth talks about you all the time. I hear you're a great cook." I recall Seth telling me his mum makes the best lasagne and roast in town, if not the world. His words exactly of course.

"The same goes for you, I feel like I already know you," she smiles and it reminds me of Seth's. "Now come in, it's cold out."

We make our way inside and I'm placing my coat on the rack when I feel a tap at my side. I turn and notice Levi staring up at me in curiosity before he points to this gift tucked under my arm, "Is that for me?"

"Oh yes, would you like to open it now? As long as you're mum's okay with it." I hand the present to him and resist the urge to bring my hand to my mouth and chew my nails. "I didn't know what to get so I hope it's okay."

"Anything you get would be more than perfect, relax." Seth comes to my side and takes my itching hand within his and secures it in his hold and I'm instantly grounded.

With a nod from Angie, Levi tears into the 'Happy Birthday' wrapping paper and pulls out the toy. I feel Seth squeeze my hand as Levi exclaims, "It's Daddy!" I'm instantly confused because when I gaze around the room I see no one there.

Seth leans in closer to whisper into my ear, "How did you know?"

"Know what?" I blink up at him in confusion.

"My dad was a firefighter before he died. Levi was really young when he died, but he loves things that remind him of the kind of person dad was. You literally got him the best gift."

Just as Seth is telling me this, I feel a small body slam into my legs and arms wrap around me. "Thank you, thank you." He screams the words over and over before running over to Angie and showing off his present with so much glee evident in his voice. "Look, mummy, look!"

Angie smiles and leans down to kiss Levi on the forehead as Seth comments, sighing, "Well damn now my present is going to pale in comparison."

Levi's attention is immediately transferred back to his brother as he wonders about another gift. Angie walks towards the garage door and pulls out a poorly wrapped object that looks strikingly like a bike.

After Levi tears apart more wrapping paper it is revealed that Seth has gifted Levi a bicycle with training wheels with a spider-man theme.

"Fudge-sticks that's awesome, I want one!" I comment, admiring the bike from my position.

Levi beams, thanking Seth, "I really, really love it. Thank you."

"Now, I thought we could play a game of monopoly before dinner if that sounds good with the two of you," Angie comments as she places all the wrapping paper into a bin under the kitchen's sink.

"Sounds good with me," Seth states before turning to me and boasting, "I'm kind of the running champion in these parts."

I roll my eyes. "We'll see about that after I'm done with you."

#

During the game, Levi and I had decided to form a team to strike against a common enemy and in the end, became the first to reach the aim of the game and become millionaires, owning the most properties. Seth, the sore loser had threatened that a rematch was in order as he had been cheated but Levi and I swore that was fair was fair and he had just lost.

Despite the first few seconds of awkwardness, and the dread I had been feeling earlier, I was actually enjoying myself. Levi was such a sweet kid and it was obvious how much he looked up to his older brother and it was clear with how Seth spoke to his mother he really cared for her.

Angie had made the famous lasagne I'd heard about from Seth as it was apparently Levi's favourite and sitting around the dinner table, Angie decided to fill me in on embarrassing stories of the two of them.

"Oh, Seth would hate for me to tell you this, but I'm going to tell you anyway. One day I was out hanging close on the line and Seth and my husband, Alex, decided it would be a good idea to 'clean' the house for me. So, Alex is picking up Seth's stray toys and handing them to him to put away and after an hour he turns around thinking everything is done, only to find that Seth had been placing all those toys back on the ground behind him.

Not only that, but Seth had been wearing his rubber boots which were covered in mud, so you can bet there were footprints all over the house. Thank god, we've ripped up the carpet now and replaced it with timber flooring, but at the time it was not easy to clean. Seth found it hilarious though," she laughs and I along with her as I think of Seth in all his glory making trouble. "Oh and have I mentioned yet that he wet the bed until he was thirteen, the poor guy."

With that, I burst into even more laughter, tears brimming in the corners of my eyes with how much fun I'm having.

"Thanks so much, mum. I can tell how much I mean to you." Seth rolls his eyes, but I can tell he doesn't mind Angie telling stories at his expense, as long as she's happy. Since it gets closer to Levi's bedtime, Angie brings out a birthday cake, once again 'spider-man' themed and in unison, we sing 'Happy Birthday' before stuffing our faces.

I find myself feeling thankful that I'd agreed to come and celebrate with Seth and experience family celebrations as I didn't anymore.

"It's getting late, mum. I think we'll head upstairs. Do you want me to tuck this little man in?" He gestures his head towards Levi who is in his arms, having fallen asleep on the couch while we watched 'Family Feud'.

"That'd be great, honey. If you don't mind I'll go up as well, old age and all that. Everything is all set in your old room. It was really nice to get to know you today, Lily. I'll see you tomorrow."

As Seth puts Levi to bed I enter the room he'd said was his and immediately notice that there was only one bed set up. I had figured that Angie would set up a makeshift mattress on the floor, but I guess not. However, I do find a note on the chequered quilt cover.

Seth, whilst I know you are a grown man and can make your own decisions, while you are under my roof you will follow my rules. That means no hanky-panky or whatever you kids call it these days.

My lips tip up at the corners and when Seth enters the room several seconds later I show him the note. "Hanky-panky? No one has ever called it that."

We both take turns changing into our pyjamas in the adjoining bathroom and I go second. When I exit, I notice he's already under the covers and he lifts up the quilt to his side and taps the empty space in invitation.

Without much encouragement, I settle beside him, turning on my side to face him and he does the same. "Thank you for today," I begin, "I had a really good time and I'm grateful you convinced me to come out."

"It was nothing. I'm glad you enjoyed it, I know mum and Levi had a blast. They don't get a lot of opportunities to let loose so I'm happy they got the chance with you today."

A yawn stretches my face and I find my eyes wanting to close shut, the day's events catching up to me. Recognising how tired I am, Seth takes my hand in his, bring it to his heart, before saying, "Sleep tight, Doe," and I find myself lulled into sleep by the steady thud of his heart against my palm.