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“So, are you guys going home for Thanksgiving?” Jason asks us.
Caleb lights up. “Absolutely! I can’t wait. I miss home. All of my friends and family, it’s going to be such a good time.”
It’s adorable how excited he is. He must have a great home life. I can almost picture it. The white picket fence house with the ideal parents and their two perfect children. He just seems like that type. Now that I think of it, that’s probably how Holden’s home is too.
“What about you, Kayleigh? You excited to go home?” Jason questions.
I can feel my anxiety spike. “Oh, no I’m just gonna stay here.” I mumble.
Holden’s hands stop massaging my shoulders instantly. Jason looks at me confused, while Caleb frowns. I think Holden can tell I’m about to start panicking, because he randomly asks Jason about the homework in their Chemistry class. Luckily, it works and the attention is immediately taken off me. I lay my head back on Holden’s chest and smile up at him. He winks at me and continues his conversation.
Yeah, he’s not the worst.
I DON’T KNOW WHEN I managed to fall asleep, but I awaken to the voices of Holden and Caleb. I keep my eyes closed, wondering why they’re talking in hushed tones.
“Wait, you mean to tell me that you two aren’t dating?” Caleb asks in disbelief. “She’s been basically living here for like two weeks.”
“I know.” Holden chuckles. “But we’re just having fun.”
Caleb hums in acknowledgement. “Is that what you want or what she wants?”
“What do you mean?”
“Don’t play dumb. I’ve seen you with plenty of girls the past three years. None of them have had the kind of effect on you that she does.”
Holden sighs. “I don’t know, man. She’s different. I can’t explain it.”
“Well, if the way she looks at you is anything to go by, she feels the same way.” Caleb says as Holden lightly runs his fingers through my hair while Caleb continues. “So why aren’t you two together?”
He’s silent for a moment, perhaps thinking about why. “She knows what I’m like - the things that I’ve done to other girls, Bree included. I won’t put myself in the place to do that to her, not that she would even let me.”
“She turned you down?!”
“Twice. I mean, I didn’t exactly ask, but she could tell where I was going with it.”
Caleb snickers. “Damn, she really is different.”
“She’s my best friend.”
BY TWO IN THE morning, the events of the night begin winding down. Holden wakes me, lightly rubbing his hand over my arm and softly saying my name. I stir, opening my eyes to see his green eyes looking down at me. He kisses me quickly and then helps me up.
I look around to see that everyone is clearing out. Those who are too drunk to drive – which is more people than you’d expect – are falling asleep on any comfortable surface they can find.
Holden and I retreat to his bedroom. I change into one of his t-shirts, finding them more comfortable than my own. When I’m done, I climb into bed and he gets in behind me. The conversation I overheard between him and Caleb replays in my head. It’s almost feels as if I dreamt it, but I’m sure I didn’t.
I scoot back against him, cuddling as close as I can. He wraps his arm around me and pulls me closer. I start to wonder if I should bring up what I heard, but I can feel that I’m still buzzed – meaning Holden is definitely drunk. Maybe it’s best to wait until another time.
“Kayleigh?” He whispers.
“Yeah?”
“Why aren’t you going home for Thanksgiving?”
I sigh, knowing I’ve been dreading this question since Jason brought the topic up. “My mom and stepdad are going on vacation. Bree should be going home though, so I’ll be able to stay in my dorm.”
He hums, letting me know he heard me but it’s clear something is on his mind. I turn in his arms to face him.
“What’s wrong? If you’re worried about me being alone, I’ll be fine. It’s only a week.”
