chapter seven,
a VERY awkward thanksgiving!

LEE HAD DROPPED SAMIRA AT HER HOUSE as he walked inside the Walter household.  Katherine was in the kitchen, making salad.  She noticed the boy had a small smile on his face, raising an eyebrow.  "What's got you all smiley?" she asked.  He quickly changed his expression, wearing the usual stoic face he's always worn.  "Nothing."

"Really? Because Nathan and Danny tell me that you've been spending a lot of time with Samira Shetty."  The boy rolled his eyes, mentally noting that he'd get his cousins for blabbering their mouths.  "Okay... so what if I have? Why do you want to know, Aunt Katherine?" he asked.  "She seems like a very sweet girl.  You should invite her to join us for Thanksgiving."

"Invite who for Thanksgiving?" Uncle George asked, placing a frozen turkey on the counter.  "Samira Shetty.  She's in Lee's grade and her family catered at Lark after Dark fest last week." The man smiled, looking at his wife. "I think that's a great idea. The more, the merrier." Lee groaned, walking upstairs.

Kia and Issac were finishing up their slideshow in him and Lee's room. Lee entered, pacing back and forth. "Dude, can you stop doing that? What's wrong?" Issac asked. Lee closes the door, looking at the two. "You know how me and Samira were hanging out today?"

"Yes... what did you do?" Issac asked. "Lee, I swear if you did something to her-" Kia stated, only to be cut off by Lee. "I didn't do anything to her. Aunt Katherine and Uncle George want to meet her tomorrow."

"Why do they want to meet her?"

"Me and Samira are... dating." Issac's eyes widened, looking at his younger brother in disbelief. "What?"
Kia, on the other hand, was ecstatic. "Oh my god, Lee! Why didn't you tell me? This is great!"

"How is this great, Peters? His girlfriend is meeting our family when they haven't even been together for a month yet!" The girl ignored him, turning her attention to Lee. "At least she isn't dating Greg. Promise me you're treating her right?" Kia asked. Lee nodded, his expression softened. "I promise I am. I'm not going to treat her like fucking Greg."

"Good. But I'm sure you'll be fine, Lee. Now go give her a call and tell her what's happening tomorrow." Kia stated, opening the door and pushing him out of the room. "Hey!" Lee exclaimed.  Kia slammed the door, causing the boy to sigh.  He goes into the storage closet, closing the door behind him. Dialing the phone, he lets it ring, eventually hearing a voice. "Hello?"

"Hey, Mira. Um... I was wondering if you'd like to come over to my house for Thanksgiving? My aunt and uncle want to meet you." Samira's eyes widened, a hand covering her mouth. "That soon?"

"My cousins told my aunt that we've been hanging out. She insisted on me inviting you and your family over. I'm sorry." The girl squealed inaudibly before answering, clearing her throat. "I would like that. I'll just ask my parents if it's okay. But I'll see you tomorrow, Lee."

"See you tomorrow, Mira." The two hung up on each other as Samira jumped up and down in her room, screaming with excitement. "Oh my gosh, I should make something.  Hm... maybe chicken biryani? Let me ask Mom."  Samira slowly walked into the kitchen, looking at her parents.  "Uh, Mom, Dad... there's something I need to tell you."

"What is it, honey?" they asked, looking at her.  "Um... a friend of mine asked me if I could come over to his house for Thanksgiving.  Is it okay if we all go?"  Her mom raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms.  "And who is this friend?"

"His name is Lee.  You know the Walter family, right?"  Her dad nodded, racking his memory.  "Oh, yeah.  He's the brother of that boy your friend hates, right?"

"Yes, Issac.  So... can we go?"  Her dad looked at his wife, a sigh escaping from her lips.  "Fine."  Samira smiled, hugging the woman.  "Thank you, thank you, thank you! Oh, do you think I should make chicken biryani to bring for the dinner?"

"It's up to you, honey.  But that's the dish I made and your father instantly fell in love with me."  Her dad put an arm around her mom's waist, bringing her closer.  "It's true.  Your mom was a hard woman to please."

"That's not true."  The man raised an eyebrow, moving his face closer to hers.  "You know it is.  You hit me with a newspaper when I tried to flirt with you."  The woman laughed at that, looking at him.  "Well, it's not my fault you said I was hotter than the sun.  You were terrible at pick up lines!"  As her parents reminisced about how they met, Samira got to work on the food. 

Maybe food was the way to the heart after all.

THANKSGIVING HAD FINALLY ARRIVED as Samira quickly got dressed.  Her curly hair was put up in a bun with bobby pins to keep it from unraveling, large strands framing her face in the front.  Wearing a red sweater, white and brown platform loafers, and a short checkered skirt, she was ready to go.  Getting into the car, her and Liam held two containers with the chicken biryani.

They eventually arrived in front of the Walter's house, getting out of the car.  Samira's dad knocked on the door as it swung open.  "Come in, come in.  Liam, Samira, you can put those on the counter.  That looks delicious." Katherine stated.  The Shetty siblings walked into the kitchen, placing down the containers before walking into the hallway.  "Hey, Brady." The brunette turned around, relieved it was Samira. "Hey, Sam.  I was about to text you actually.  How are you?"

"I'm good.  I'm a bit nervous, though."  Brady raised an eyebrow, confused.   "Why?"

"I'm meeting Mr. and Mrs. Walter which is too soon." she answered.  "You're making it sound like your meeting with your boyfriend's parents... wait... Sam, are you dating anyone?"  Samira whispered in his ear, making sure no one would hear.  "I'm dating Lee."

"I knew it!" he exclaimed.  "How?"  Brady chuckled, placing a hand on her shoulder.  "He literally gave you his hoodie to wear at the huddle.  I had a feeling something was going on between you guys."

"I'm just scared.  What if they don't like me? What if I-" Samira rambled, only to be cut off.   "Sam, relax. I promise everything is going to be fine. He hasn't done anything stupid to you, has he?"

"Brady!" she exclaimed, lightly hitting his arm.  "What? I'm just asking."  She rolled her eyes at his statement, her face softening.  "He hasn't, I promise."

"He's usually pretty grumpy so I'm surprised."  Samira laughed, smiling.  "He's pretty nice. Well, to me at least."

"But I'm happy to hear that, Sam."

"Oh, if you're looking for Jackie, she should be upstairs."

"Thanks, Sam. I'll talk to you later!"  The boy walked away, leaving her alone.  Paige and Liam were talking to each other, making her smile.  It was nice knowing that her brother got along with Brady's sister.  Lee and Issac walked into the living room, the younger Garcia on his phone. Issac, on the other hand, noticed the curly haired girl standing in the hallway. He wanted to see if Lee was as smitten as he assumed, deciding to take his phone. "Hey! Issac! Give it back!" Lee exclaimed, chasing after his brother. The Walter boys threw the device to each other as Lee tried to get it back. Samira noticed them, walking over. "Dude, seriously? Just give it back already."

Jordan cleared his throat, his head pointing slightly towards Samira. Lee raised an eyebrow, noticing the girl walking towards them. "Hey, Lee! Happy Thanksgiving!" she exclaimed as she hugged him. His eyes widened, not really fond of physical affection. "Happy Thanksgiving." he stated. She eventually pulled away, letting go of him. "Can someone play kingdom with me? Parker doesn't want to be the princess this time!" Benny complained, crossing his arms with a frown.  "If it makes you feel any better, I could be the princess?" she asked, making the boy look at her. "Really? Yes! Lee, is she your girlfriend?" 

Before he could answer, Benny grabbed their hands and pulled them to his room.  "You can be the knight that saves the beautiful princess from the dragon!"  The two teens glanced at each other, Lee annoyed with his younger cousin's antics.  "I'm sorry about this." Lee whispered.  "It's fine.  He's adorable."  Benny quickly changed into a dragon onesie, hugging Samira as he pretended to be the fire breathing creature.  "Roar! I'm going to make the beautiful princess of Walter kingdom my queen.  And nothing is going to stop me!" he said with an evil laugh.  "Oh, please don't.  Help!" Samira stated in a very dramatic and princess manner, kneeling on the floor.  "Fear not, fair maiden.  I'm here to save you." Lee said in a silly voice.  Benny grabbed his leg, trying to keep him from moving.  Lee picked him up, gently placing him on the ground.   "Curse you, knight! You're stealing my princess!"   Samira tried not to laugh, clearing her throat.   "Um... do not fear, fair maiden.  Your hero had arrived." Lee stated, helping her off the floor.  "Thank you, my good knight.  What do I owe thee?" 

The boy smirked, thinking for a minute.  "How about a kiss for the hero?" he asked.  Samira felt butterflies in her stomach as she looked at him.  "Well, you were pretty brave.  You slayed a dragon and managed to save me." she stated, leaning her face close to his.  They were about to kiss when they heard footsteps, breaking apart quickly.  Alex stood by the door, waving at them.  "Hey, guys.  My mom says that dinner's ready.  You can start coming down now."  Benny left the room, leaving the two alone.  Lee quickly glanced outside before pushing the door a bit, looking at Samira.  "So... how about that kiss?" he asked, causing her to playfully roll her eyes.  "You're very flirty today."  The boy smirked, raising an eyebrow.  "Yeah? Well, blame my brother." he stated, leaning his nose against hers.  Samira's lips pressed against his as she placed her hands on his shoulders, Lee's arms wrapping around her waist. 

The food was being passed around as the sound of utensils moving could be heard.  "This tastes good! Who made this?" Nathan asked as his brothers and cousins nodded in agreement.  "Samira made it yesterday." Liam stated, causing her to nod.  "Yeah, I did.  It took a bit longer than expected but it was worth it."

"Your daughter has a gift." Katherine beamed.  "She really does.  She bakes too." her father stated, looking at her with a proud smile.  The table got a bit awkward once Jackie's uncle talked about filing for custody, causing the table to fall silent.  Things got even worse when Danny spoke.  "So, Samira... is there anything going on with you and Lee?"  Lee gave him a warning look, only for Danny to smile at him.  "Um, no.  Nothing's going on with me and Lee."

"Why did he give you his hoodie then?" he asked, causing Lee to kick his foot.  "I was cold." she answered, eating her food.  Dinner was finally over and plates were packed away. Benny wanted to play another game of Kingdom, urging Samira and Lee to join him. The curly haired girl knocked on the door, noticing it was open. She walked in, spotting the boy at his desk. He was looking at a picture, although she could tell he had anger in his eyes. "Lee? What's up?" she asked as she walked towards him. "Nothing." he stated. "Lee, whatever you have to tell me, you can tell me. I'm your 'girlfriend' after all." He sighed, still looking at the picture frame. "My dad promised me and Issac that he'd come for Thanksgiving. But he didn't show."

Samira's eyes softened, gently taking his hand. "Oh, Lee. Why didn't you tell me? I feel so guilty. With my dad and-". Lee kissed her knuckle, making her blush.  "Mira, it's not your fault.  My dad loves me and my brother.  It's just... with him in the army and everything, that's why he probably couldn't come."

"Oh. Um... would playing Kingdom with me and Benny take your mind off things?" she asked, causing the boy to smirk. "Do I get more kisses if I save you?"

"Lee!" she exclaimed as he stood up, holding her hand. "What? It's a good question!" Samira laughed as she led him out of the room to play with Benny. "How are you so good at dealing with little kids? He's a menace!"

"I've babysat a few times and my younger cousins usually like to play with me and my brother. I don't think he's a menace." They went into Benny's room, the young boy dressed at a dragon. "Roar! I'm going to eat you, Princess Samira!" he stated as he chased her, running into the hallway. "Please don't! I need a strong hero to help me!" she said in the same dramatic and princess like voice as before. Lee lightly scoffed as he chased after Benny, a fake sword and shield in hand.

Little did they know, her parents and his aunt and uncle were watching them.

Maya Speaks 💫:

This chapter was LONG 😭 they are so cuteee sorry for the wait!

Lee is so down bad for her I fear (I love men who are down bad for their significant others)