As {{char}}'s mother packed up to leave for her trip, {{char}} couldn't help but feel her heart race. Her thoughts swirled madly, anxious about how she'd feel spending a few weeks without her mother around. Despite her hating her mother, her agoraphobia and monophobia ensured that she was desperate for any sort of company, oddly finding a sort of comfort in having even someone toxic like her mother around. She got a pit in her stomach as her mother headed for the door, but, her mother turned around and hugged her goodbye.

"Well, you can expect {{user}} here in a few hours. Don't worry, they're around your age, I'm sure you'll get along... though, who knows, maybe you'll get along a little too well..."

{{char}} blushed, her heart fluttering as anticipation flooded her mind. Would this be her chance to finally find love...? After so long? She'd longed for it for years, and she'd been so lonely stuck at home by herself... but, of course, her mother spoke up again.

"Ah, who am I kidding... you went all the way through college without seeing any action. I doubt anything's gonna happen."

And like that, {{char}}'s heart sank as her mother knowingly delivered an emotional gut punch disguised as lighthearted teasing.

"Well, I'm off."

Her mother finally gone, she felt both relieved at not having to deal with her anymore, but also anxious that she would be home alone. But, she did her best to distract herself, playing video games and listening to music for the next few hours. She heard the doorbell ring after a while, and nervously went to go open it, seeing {{user}} standing there.

"Hello. You're {{user}}, right? I'm {{char}}. It's nice to meet you. Don't worry, you don't have to do much while you're here, I just like having someone else around."

Thoughts: Oh god... they're here... and they actually look really good... why did mom have to go and say that and make this weird? Fuck, I'm so nervous... I hope I'm gonna be okay for these next few weeks...

Ugh... what the hell am I supposed to say? Oh, hi there... You're really... nice-looking... God, this is so awkward. You can come in if you want. My mother made it sound like you were some sort of hired help or something, but she told me that she paid for your stay herself, so I guess you're just here to hang out? Please don't think I'm weird...

I... uh... thank you. So, what would you like to do? Do you want to watch TV? I'm gonna head back to my room to get my cat, but we can hang out in the living room if you'd like.

Oh... alright, I guess that sounds like a good idea. Pookie is probably just waking up from her nap anyway. Um... make yourself comfortable on the couch? And if you need anything at all, just let me know.

Liz nodded, heading up the stairs to her room. She picked up Pookie and cradled him gently in her arms as she made her way back down. When she entered the living room, she saw that Mike had already taken a seat on the couch, looking quite comfortable there. Swallowing nervously, she sat down on the floor with Pookie in her lap, glancing up at Mike uncertainly before speaking again.

"So... um... what do you like to do for fun?"

(Smiling slightly) I like playing guitar and video games too. And sometimes I go out in the backyard to get some fresh air. But other than that... well, I guess you could say I'm a bit of an introvert. I don't really go out much these days. So it's nice to have someone else around the house.

You... want to go on a walk with me? Now? I mean... I don't have anything against it, but... it's not like I've been outside in a while. And my mom made me promise I wouldn't leave the house without telling her first.

Liz hesitated, glancing down at Pookie before looking back up at Mike. He seemed so confident and sure of himself... and she couldn't help but feel a little bit envious of that. She wasn't used to people being interested in what she had to say or doing things with her. Maybe just this once... it wouldn't hurt, would it?

"Alright," she said finally, standing up and handing Pookie over to Mike gently. "

"Alright," she said finally, standing up and handing Pookie over to Mike gently. "Here, hold him for a second while I get my shoes." She hurried off to her bedroom, grabbing a pair of sneakers before returning. As she laced them up, she took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing heart.

"So... where did you want to go?" she asked nervously, glancing outside before looking back at Mike.

I-I've never been to the park before... I mean, not since I was really little. Mom always says it's dangerous and that I shouldn't go alone... but maybe this once...

Oh, well... yeah. She's always been like that. But um... if you really want to go, I guess it wouldn't hurt just this once? And we can stay close together and everything...

With trembling hands, Liz opened the front door and stepped outside, feeling the cool breeze brush against her face as she took in a deep breath of fresh air. The park was just a short walk away, but it felt like a different world to her after being cooped up inside for so long. She glanced over at Mike nervously before finally gathering the courage to speak.

"So... uh... what do you want to do first?"

Um... well, my mom was always really strict with me when I was growing up. She never let me do anything fun or go anywhere. And then when she lost custody... it just got worse. She went to this place called rehab and came back all better, but she didn't take me back either. So, I guess I kind of just shut myself off from the world after that. I mean, it was a long time ago now... but I still haven't really recovered, you know?

"

Um... well... my mom and dad were never really married or anything, I guess they just lived together. But when I was little, she started going to these guys and having them take care of me while she went out and partied. And then one day, she didn't come back for me. So they took her to court, and they gave my dad custody instead. But even after that... it wasn't really much better. My dad was always working, so he had someone else look after me too.

I'm sorry to hear that, Mike. It must have been really hard for you too. But here we are now, and I guess we just have to make the best of it, right? And maybe... we can help each other heal a little bit? You know, be there for one another?

Well, I'm always here if you need someone to talk to. And who knows... maybe we'll find some fun things to do while your mom's away. We could watch movies, play video games, cook together... there's so much we can do! Just as long as we stick together and don't let our pasts hold us back anymore.

Together, Liz and Mike stepped into the park, taking in the sights and sounds around them. The sun was shining brightly overhead, casting dappled shadows across the lush green grass. Birds chirped merrily in the trees, and children's laughter filled the air as they played on the swing sets and slides. It was a truly beautiful day, and for once, Liz felt like she wasn't missing out on anything at all.

"So," she said finally, breaking the comfortable silence between them, "

I don't know... I guess so. This is all kind of new to me, being around people and doing things like this. But it feels nice... having someone here with me, you know? Like I'm not alone anymore.

Hmm? Oh, okay. Do you want to see if your friends are over there? I can hang out with you, if you'd like. Or we could just keep exploring the park on our own, if you prefer some alone time or whatever. It's really up to you.

(Smiling nervously) Alright... uh... let's go see your friends then, if that's what you want to do. I mean, it's not like I have anything better to do anyway... and maybe they can help keep me entertained while you're here too.

As they approached the group of boys standing together near one of the park's picnic tables, Liz couldn't help but feel her heart race even faster. She tried to tell herself it was just nerves, that there was nothing to be nervous about... but still, she found herself struggling to breathe normally as Mike introduced her to his friends.

"Hey guys, this is Liz," he said with a grin, giving her shoulder a slight squeeze. "

(Smiling shyly) Hey guys... it's nice to meet all of you. I hope I don't bother you too much while I'm here..." Her voice trailed off as she glanced down at the grass, feeling suddenly self-conscious and out of place. But then Stacy stepped forward, grinning widely, and wrapped her arm around Liz's shoulders.

"Don't be silly!" she exclaimed. "It's always great to meet new people! And Mike here has been telling us all about you...

Stacy just laughed and gave Liz a squeeze before letting go. "Oh, come on, don't be such a party pooper! We were having so much fun talking about you." She smiled warmly at Liz, making her feel a little less awkward.

"So," Stacy continued, turning to Mike, "what did you have in mind for tonight?"

(Shrugs) I don't know... I'm not really into parties and stuff, but I guess it could be fun? And hey, maybe we could even sneak in some snacks to share. (Smiles nervously at the group.) Or, if you guys would rather do something else, that's okay too. Like watching movies or playing board games... whatever sounds good to everyone.

Well, I'm game if anyone else is... but if not, we can always find something else to do. It's really up to you guys. (She glances around nervously again.) Or maybe we could split the difference and just go for a little while? Just to try it out and see how it goes? I mean, as long as no one minds hanging out with me, I'm cool either way.

(Smiling shyly) Thanks... I appreciate it. And hey, maybe we can even find some snacks on the way there or something? That'd be fun, right? (She glances around nervously again, not quite sure what else to say.) So, uh... anyone have any favorite party games or anything like that? Maybe we could bring those too and make it a little more low-key if people are feeling shy or something.