Rain. Alex was not a creature of the darkness, dampness, dreariness, and most of all rain. He hated anything that was remotely wet or cold, unless it was the shower. Tom was just the opposite, the yang to his yin, but ultimately his soul mate and match in life. Everything about Tom Alex wanted and loved. That's why he was so nervous about meeting the two most important people in his life: mom and dad. All sorts of thoughts rushed through his head; he wanted to make a good impression on them not only for himself, but mostly to not disappoint Tom. It would be very difficult for Tom if his parents disapproved of Alex.

They were riding in a cab to Tom's house for the long Thanksgiving break that they had. Neither of them spoke much to one another on the ride, well not Alex anyway. Tom was very excited and was clinging onto Alex's smaller hand, squeezing it to death. He didn't let on though that he was nervous, because he didn't want to put a damper on Tom's great mood. Tom was just beaming and happy all around, and Alex wasn't going to take that from him just because he decided to get nervous. Tom's blue eyes usually were the first thing that caught Alex's attention when he looked at him, then his Greek God-like body, but today his eyes caught Alex in a deep trance; his deep shades of blue sparkled and glimmered like jewels. Then Tom began to talk at about 200 hundred miles an hour, which snapped him out of the trance. He was spewing out information out of every facet, overwhelming Alex, making him even more nervous then he already was. Alex didn't speak, he just smiled and nodded softly in compliance, trying to take note of everything Tom was saying.

The cab was beginning to come to a stop, which caused a knot to develop in his gut and he got a little dizzy. His face began to flush, and he wanted to vomit, but he didn't, he held it in for Tom. He took a deep breath and readied himself for meeting the parents, he would be no good to anyone if he was going to make himself sick. Tom must have not been paying attention, or Alex was really getting cooked, because from the second he paid the driver to the second he was out of the cab was lightening quick, unnaturally quick. Tom was a half-vampire, and his reaction times, strength, and speed were much more enhanced and faster than a humans. Alex gulped, watching his boyfriend wait for him outside of the warm, dry cab, and he got out, slowly looking at Tom's house. As he pulled his second foot out of the car, he slipped on the slick pavement, nearly falling. He caught himself, and hoped that no one noticed.

Tom's house was different than the others around it, a lot different. Alex scanned Tom's house, and the rest of the neighborhood fairly quickly, deciding that Tom's house was very unique. It looked warm and cozy, something a loving family would live in, unlike Alex's 'home', if you could call it that. Alex just smiled, looking at Tom, giving his boyfriend a reassuring wink, hoping to keep the charades going. "Cute house babe." He said softly, trying to keep his cool for was long as he could. He made his way over to Tom, holding on to the travel bag he took with him inside the cab, he still needed the stuff in the trunk.

Then, just when Alex thought he was calmed down enough to actually be himself, two figures came out of the Oleander house hold: Tom's mother and father. His mother squealed, staying at the door, which Alex knew why. His father on the other hand rushed out of the house; he was a very cheery man. He came and greeted Tom and Alex, making a reference to Alexander the Great, which Alex knew about. "Haven't conquered any Empires, but thanks." He said softly, extending his hand to Tom's father, which was appropriate for a proper greeting. Tom's father had helped them gather their things from the cab, and they made their way to the house where Tom's mother was standing. He bowed his head lightly to Tom's mother, "Nice to meet you Mrs. Oleander. I'm Alex." He looked up at her smiling, hoping that he was making the right decision. He looked to Tom to make sure everything was still OK, because he was very nervous still.

Mrs. Oleander smlied at Alex, giving him a very reassuring pat on the shoulder. "Welcome Alex! Tom has told me so much about you, please, come in, come in!" She was all too kind, which made Alex feel good and a little more comfortable, and a little less like vomiting. Tom's parents ushered them in the house, "Well Tom, take Alex up to your room and get him situated, dinner will be in about an hour, I'll call you." Tom's father said cheerfully. Alex smiled, and followed Tom up stairs to his room. Alex looked behind him to make sure Tom's parents weren't around, "How am I doing babe?"