She tried not to pace out of nerves. Failing at that, she tried to convince the butterflies in her stomach to settle. That didn’t work either. so she concentrated on steadying her breathing. There was no reason for her to be nervous about a friend coming over — well, except that she didn’t /have/ many friends, and mostly they didn’t come to her place. She sat down and picked up Helios, rocking him on her lap.
Some time later, he mustered up enough courage to knock on her front door, hoping and praying that he’d gotten the address right. It would be just like him to get the wrong place and he’d be all embarrassed about it and leave, too ashamed to pursue a friendship with someone who’d more than likely end up hurting him eventually.
“It’s open,” Summer called, then had to clear her throat and say it again, louder, so he could hear her through the door. Helios writhed and squirmed to the floor and bounded over to the door to twine around Isaac’s feet, purring. “Hi.” She got up, more slowly, and lifted a hand to touch his shoulder before remembering and tucking it behind her back.