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Hunter

As we board the plane to JFK, I take Mel's hand in mine and give her a reassuring smile before leading her to our seat in first class. She has been quiet since I picked her at her dorm this morning to drive us to the airport, and I could tell it was a result of her nervousness.

If I was being honest, I was nervous too. I had never brought a girlfriend home before, although I don't even know if that is what the two of us were as I have yet to get the balls up to ask her officially. It felt like we were dating, going on dates, seeing each other every day, and spending each night together in my room, but I knew well enough that girls liked to be officially asked. I wasn't waiting because I didn't want to be with her, I wanted to be with her all the time, but more because I was worried that a label like that would change us in some way. It was an irrational thought but my fear that I would fuck up an amazing thing in my life seemed to be getting the better of me. Maybe that is why when I told my parents I was bringing someone home for break I just said it was a friend and left it at that. Hopefully, it would be a pleasant surprise for them.

I had no doubt in my mind that my sister would love Mel, I mean how could you not, but my father can be very uptight and I was worried he would use the excuse that she didn't come from the right background to insinuate that she isn't good enough for our family.

I, of course, didn't share any of my apprehensions with Mel, knowing she was already nervous as it is and that she didn't need more to stress about, but instead I grabbed her hand and said, "It is going to be okay sweetheart, there is no need to be nervous."

"Me nervous? Not a chance." She was not at all convincing as she said it but she tried her best to put on a smile.

— — —

After arriving in the city, we made our way out of the airport only to find my name printed in bold on a large paper in the hands of our family driver, Charles.

"Charles, you know you didn't need the sign, I've known you for years," I chuckled as we approached the middle-aged man in a pristine black suit. He gives me a curt nod in response but I catch a small smile emerging as he grabs Mel's bag and begins walking outside.

"Always stimulating conversations with that one," I whisper to Mel as we follow.

"I can't believe you didn't tell me you had a driver," she half-whispered back, stopping abruptly as she noticed that the car we were headed to was a black limo. "Is this how you always travel?"

"Nah, it is more for my parents but it does come in handy sometimes," I explain as I move in front of Charles to open the door for Mel.

The entire ride back from the airport is filled with an astonished Mel pointing at things out the window and talking about how amazing she thinks the whole city is. It is weird for me to look at it that way, it is my home and really all I have ever know, but it is adorable to watch the excitement in her eyes as she takes in the city.

Before I know it we are pulling up to my building across from Central Park and Charles has opened the door. As I step out into the New York City street all of the sounds and sites of the city rush back to me and it suddenly hits me just how much I miss being home.

I guide Mel to the door and up the elevator to the top floor where our is penthouse is situated. "Are you ready?" I ask, squeezing her hand as the elevator doors open.

Before she has a chance to answer I hear my mom yell "He is here!" I step out into the living room to find her walking toward me with arms open. I give her a quick hug before turning around to grab Mel's hand and pull her back toward me.

"Mom, remember I said I was bringing a friend home? This is Melanie."