Is this such a good idea? ~Raseri~

Hallie Croft.
That first step is always the hardest

Stirling and I had been together for what felt like a lifetime, it wasn't a bad thing though, it was like being reborn again. While I still wasn't the most confident girl in school I had achieved a level of confidence and happiness that I hadn't ever had before. Being with Stirling had changed me for the better, it had opened so many doors, and while some of the kids still teased me at school most of them didn't try and pull anything while she was with me. After the original incident that left one of the Careers with a broken nose and a bruised pride, people didn't try and mess with either of us too much.

Of course while things in school were improving, and our personal relationship grew stronger...neither of us had met the other's parents. The question is who would make the offer first, it had taken Stirling enough just to admit she was dating me to the school, I couldn't imagine her extending the invitation first. Then there was my family, a terrible home of neglect and abuse, how could I bring her there and expect my family to accept her?

Even though I knew Stirling was more than capable of taking care of herself I couldn't help but picture her being abused both physically and mentally in my home. They needed to know though, they needed to know that I had proven them wrong and found that special someone, despite what they had always told me. Would the risk pay off though, I had taken the risk that fist day by trying to get close to her and it had payed off...would this? My family wasn't exactly the greatest in the world, and they weren't that understanding either. Sure, my mom had tried to help me out in the past, but as I grew older our relationship deteriorated. It was like as I grew older and my personality grew more defined I was just...I wasn't what she wanted. It would be a lie to say it didn't hurt at first, but slowly I just separated myself from them.

My family will always be my family, and I'll always want their acceptance, but I can't let it hurt me that they don't...because they won't. I had it easier than Stirling did though, at least my family knew that I had been searching for my princess. She has kept me a secret for the most part, just the school knowing seems to have taken a lot out of her. I could only imagine her parent's reaction when I walked through the door, hand in hand with their daughter. In truth even I don't think I'm ready for that, it would be easier if they had some idea of my existence but as of yet they didn't.

Be that as it may though, we came down to the point where we had to make a decision, or rather I had to make a decision. It wasn't a decision to be made hastily, but I already felt like I knew the answer. I had to take Stirling to meet my parents, maybe then she would have the courage to tell her parents about me, and invite me over to her house. That's why when our final class for the day was over I would pull her aside and ask her if she wanted to do that. A cursory glance at the clock on the wall told me I didn't have much longer to wait before the bell rang, and that would be my chance to find her in the crowded halls of the school.

As soon as the piercing sound of the bell reached my ears I jumped up from my seat and scrambled to throw all of my loose papers into the satchel that hung over my shoulder. A few of my former tormentors brushed past me without a word, which was a good sign, and as I ran out the classroom I gave a nod to my teacher. All the other students at the school were filling the halls, but I only had eyes for one person, Stirling, and I scanned the halls for he, waiting for that first glance, for the moment when I could run into her arms.

lyrics