It is confirmed that Clara's charm is effective on everyone in the Taylor family. Mum and dad seem to adore her, and family dinner soon became an invitation that was unconditionally extended to Clara too. By the time she left, I wasn't sure who was more in love with her, me or my mum.

Clara texts that dinner with her parents has been scheduled for Friday night, in three days time. I idly wonder what to wear, what her parents are like and what the hell they'll think of me. I have no idea what they're like and find myself envious of Clara.

At least she somewhat knew my parents from coming round to see Kia.

My thoughts are disrupted by Saskia as she throws her sock at me from the hallway. I turn on my bed, grimacing as I catapult my own sock at her face.

She waltzes in and sits at my desk, twirling around before fingering the little blue box that still sits there.

"What's this?" She asks and I sit up, my expression sheepish.

"Clara's Christmas present." I admit and Kia laughs.

"Already? Or do you mean from last Christmas?" She asks and I raise an eyebrow, flopping back down onto my bed. The idea that I am that prepared for Christmas is laughable.

She nods and tries to peek under the lid without disturbing the ribbon.

"So what have you got for her birthday?" Kia asks and I bolt upright once more.

"What!?" I ask urgently, my eyes bugging out of my head.

"Yeah, it's this Friday. Don't tell me you didn't know." She says, laughing at me.

I groan, leaning my head into my hands as I desperately wrack my brain for what to do. This was completely unknown territory, what does a boyfriend get his girlfriend for her birthday? Is it different if they are your soulmate?

"Wait, this Friday? Her parents have asked me round for dinner on Friday." I state and Kia shakes her head, laughing all the more.

"Oh man, now you have to do double good or her parents will hate you." Kia says and I scowl at her. She's still fiddling with Clara's Christmas gift and I snatch it away, walking over to my chest of draws and tugging open the bottom one.

I go to throw it in with the others when Kia stops me.

"What are all of those?" Kia asks, pointing to the little wrapped parcels, each in different paper.

"Nothing." I mutter, trying to close the drawer.

"Are they all for her?" She asks, pulling the drawer back open again.

I sigh, watching her dig them out.

"Well, ever since I knew about her, I wanted to get her something every year. It just...felt nice, I knew I wasn't going to give them to her, but it felt like I was actually doing something...for her." I mumble awkwardly, knowing how utterly ridiculous it sounds.

Kia smiles softly, turning the parcels in her hands.

"Give them to her. All of them." She says quietly.

"No, they're stupid." I say, trying to grab them.

"No. They're evidence. Evidence that you've been thinking about her, loving her for all this time." She says, smiling at me. She places them gently on my desk and nods, walking towards the door.

"Make sure you get her one for this year too, though!" She calls and I sigh.

Why can't it ever be simple?

I glance at my piano and realise, that actually, it's exceedingly simple. I smile, get out a new, blank piece of manuscript paper. I try and make my handwriting as neat as possible and when I'm done, I grab a spare photo frame and replace the standard paper with my finished composition.

I wrap the gift and start on her card.

My pen taps against the desk, wondering just what I am expected to write. What do I want to write?

I take a deep breath and try and keep it simple, not too much, just enough.

I worry about my gifts and presents for every second until Friday.

When it does eventually roll around, I am up an hour earlier than normal. I try and dress immaculately, spending forever preening over my hair until I'm satisfied. I then grab the little cupcake that my mum and I had made her, package it up carefully in a box and set off to school.

I anxiously loiter by the front gates, desperately trying to avoid the stares I'm getting. She's worth it, she's worth it, she's worth it.

And she is, indeed, worth it. She appears looking just as angelic as ever and when she spots me, she comes running.

I laugh as we collide, my arms wrapping around her tiny torso.

"Happy Birthday, sweetheart." I murmur.

She pulls back, her expression slightly dazed.

"Kia told me." I explain and she rolls her eyes.

"It's not a big deal." She says as I shake my head.

"Yes it is." I say, dipping down to kiss her.

People watch, completely enthralled as if there isn't anything more interesting to do. I ignore them, which is easy enough to do when your girlfriend looks like mine.

My hand curls around Clara's as we walk inside.

The day goes by horribly fast. Clara is delighted by the cupcake and I even smuggled in a candle which we managed to light and blow out before anyone noticed. Kia gives her a present of something dance-related, but a quick glance at Michael confirms that we are both none-the-wiser as to what it actually is. Some article of clothing presumably?

I fidget and watch the clock all day, dreading the time passing.

Kia and Clara head off for dance rehearsal after college and I traipse home to shower and hopefully gather some courage.

I dress in black trousers and a deep orange and white plaid shirt. It looks autumnal and makes me look a little less scary, I hope. I fuss over my hair even more than this morning, gather my presents and card into a bag and wait anxiously by the front door.

I watch the clock, my fingers twisting and intertwining painfully as I try and breath normally.

"Kit, honey?" My mum says quietly, her hand gently resting on my shoulder.

I startle, not even noticing that she'd snuck up on me.

"It's going to be okay. They're just people, and if it helps, you already have something in common with them." She says softly.

"What is it?" I ask, frowning as my knee jumps up and down impatiently.

"You all love Clara." She says, giving my hand a squeeze.

That's a nice thought, I hadn't really thought about that. Today isn't about me, it's about the people who love Clara coming together to be with her.

"Thanks mum." I murmur, my knee stilling as I squeeze her hand back.

Kia tumbles through the front door and I take that as a sign to leave. Clara will have already gotten home and changed by now.

I stand up and shakily smooth my hands down my shirt. I do it at least ten times, my mind obsessing over every wrinkle until I'm satisfied.

Kia gives me a big thumbs up and eventually pulls me in for a hug. I do my best to return it. I check that I have my phone, my keys, my bag of presents three times over. Check, check, check.

All that's left to do is leave.

My mum taps me on the shoulder and hands me the two huge bouquets I'd bought this afternoon. One for my girl, and one to try and butter up her mum. What if her dad is offended I didn't get him anything?...

I stand in front of the door, breathing in and out slowly. After another moment of hesitation I shake my head and wrench the door open, closing it firmly behind me and forcing my feet to walk in the direction of Clara's house.

The walk doesn't take long, but it's enough time for me to start obsessively overthinking. What if I'm too overdressed? What if Clara and her parents hate orange shirts? I like it, but still. I fiddle with my keys in my pocket, trying to relax.

What if they think all of the presents are stupid, I should never have brought all of them. What if they read the card? I mean, it's nothing bad but it's private, personal. Oh god, what if both of Clara's parents are chatty?

I take deep breaths in and out, only focusing on the next step. The next step is just to get to Clara's house. I can do that. I can do that.

My feet find their way to their destination far too quickly and all of a sudden, I'm faced with step three. Ring the doorbell.

It might all be too much for me.