Cupid's Mistake

CHAPTER TWENTY SIX

Winter break had finally arrived. After my date with Liam, we had spent much of the previous week at either one of our places, replicating the intimate moments and wearing each other out. School had ended for the semester, and finals had been taken. I, unlike many of the other students, hadn't been too worried about the finals. While much of my semester had been spent in the studio or skipping class, I had become well known for my musical gifts. Most of my professors ignored my absents due to that fact alone. I had booked my plane ticket home in advanced, hoping to leave New York and get some good time away.

The rapidly growing relationship with Liam had left me with a major amount f stress and questions. I still thought of her everyday, wishing it was her arms I fell into each night, and despite the 3 weeks that had passed without contact, I still checked my phone every hour to see if she texted.

She never did.

I got off the plane, thankful for another safe flight, and found my mom's car. I had called her after purchasing my ticket, and informed her that it would just be me. She caught on quickly, and didn't ask anything else. I figured she was waiting to talk in person.

"Hey, baby." She greeted, this time still in her car. I smiled and leaned over for a hug. We drove quietly to my home. Naeem was there, awaiting our return. He helped me carry in my bags, and hugged me, just as my mom had. I felt the emotion, thick in my throat. I had wanted this with her. Everything reminded me of our stay here.

"Honey?" My mom called out to me from the living room. I was stood staring at our old family photo in the hallway, and I had apparently been standing there long enough to concern her. I turned and my tear filled eyes met her concerned ones.

"Oh, come here." He beckoned me into her arms. I walked over to her, head down, and tears falling. Naeem stepped out of the kitchen, upon hearing my mothers sad tone.

"What's going on?" He asked, but watching me collapse into my mothers arms answered his question.

"Is this about Devin?" Upon hearing her name, I broke out into a full sob, answering her question as well.

"Oh, honey." The comfort provided only depended my wound.

"She was so good." I cried out, feeling the full weight of my sorrows. Naeem joined us on the couch. He sat on my other side and wrapped his arms around both me and my mother. I was coddled between the two, fully enveloped in their warmth and comfort. I cried until my eyes had run dry and my nose had turned a bright shade of pink.

"Look," my mom sighed and took hold of my face between her hands. "I don't know what happened between the two of you, but I do know that you have such a great love for her. Love finds a way, and if you were meant to be with her, that's something you'll need to fight for." Naeem hummed in agreement, and I sniffled, taking in her words.

We eventually got up when the timer on the oven went off. Naeem rushed to finish dinner, leaving my mom and I to talk about what happened.

We all are together, and no one mentioned what had happened earlier, in fact, no one mentioned it all week.

I quickly found out that I no longer had any friends here, as they all knew about Devin and I. Word spread like wildfire, and after texting the group chat and receiving no response, I assumed they had all blocked me. As painful as that was, I preferred it to them sharing that information with the news.

Christmas came and passed. Naeem had of course outdone any of the gifts my mother and I could afford. I felt extremely guilty opening up the boxes of expensive jewelry and clothing he had bought me, while he opened boxes of mugs, loafers, and cologne. He appreciated it nonetheless and was just as grateful as I was to be included in our family time. My mother, as always cried while opening her gifts. Naeem had gotten them a week long cruise, and sparkling diamond bracelet. I of course, didn't want to be around that night for their final gifts to each other, so I made my leave to the local high school 'hang out' spot. I could guarantee that more children had been conceived in the parking lot than anywhere else in the entire town. I chuckled at my own thoughts and parked my car. It was cold enough for the grass to freeze over at night, but there was no snow. I surprisingly missed the snow from New York. It had welcomed me in on my first night, and reminded me of the experiences the world had yet to give. I sighed and thought back to Liam.