This Is How It Goes

Chapter Twenty Five: Katarenia Had a Little Lamb

"You'll call me when you get back? I don't like you being on the roads at this time of year, there's always accidents." Mom says, smoothing a piece of my hair and giving me her worried Mom act.

"Yes Mom." I mutter. 

"Okay, well I guess you better get going before the traffic gets really bad." She holds my face in her hands and squishes it a little. "Call more."

"I will." I manage to get out through her iron grip.

She releases me and I flex my jaw. 

My car is packed, I've said goodbye to Lachlan and Tabitha and Darren is out golfing with an old college chum. I'm ready to go. But I'm not ready to go. 

"I guess this is it till Christmas." I say.

Mom nods. Tabitha looks only at the ground and Lachlan checks his phone for the millionth time. I raise my eyebrows in his direction and he notices. Good.

"Claudia wants me to meet her at nine. I'm just keeping an eye on the time." 

"Well I'm sorry to keep you then little brother." It was meant to sound lighthearted, sarcastic at most but it came out twisted and raw.

"No," he objects. "I just don't want to stand her up."

"I was only kidding." I say punching him in the arm. "I love you guys."

"And we love you." Mom says giving me one more hug before I get in my car.

The keys get stuck in the ignition and I have to twist them four times before the car comes to life. I hit the gas and hot air hits my face, I relish it because in no time it'll stop and it'll be freezing in here. Waving to my family I pull out of our driveway, or rather Darren's driveway because that house sure as hell isn't my home, and speed off down the street. It's not that I have a led foot or anything, but this car only goes two speeds. Slow and fast.

The drive back to college isn't too bad. The traffic isn't as horrendous as I expected and no one stops to breathalyze me. I stop to get a burger when I'm a half hour away from Cornell. The bun is dry but the cheese and patty more than make up for it. 

It's weird, I thought I'd be more reluctant to come back to school after Thanksgiving but I'm oddly excited. 

When I arrive I check my phone for messages, I have one from Natalie. And two from Isaac. 

I'm back from break. Tell me when you get here so we can eat.

I reply quickly to Natalie’s text telling her I just got back and I'll meet her in ten minutes.

I open Isaac's text, my hands slightly jittery.

When do you get back? :)

Let's do something when you get back.

I can't help but smile. 

***

I have lunch with Natalie and Isaac. As I'm eating I begin to feel tired. I try and blink away the heaviness but it lingers. I give in and get a coffee, double espresso. 

I set the coffee down carefully and fall into my chair. "So, did you guys have a nice Thanksgiving?"

Isaac nods, "Yeah, I studied mostly but it was nice."

"Mine was good too. Shame it was over so quickly." Natalie says, a big smile on her face. My eyes flicker down momentarily and I notice how stiff her neck is, I could almost swear I see one of her veins pulse.