Side Dishes and Football

One Shot ❤️

It's the last day of classes before Thanksgiving break and I can't believe how this day is dragging on. I look up at the clock and swear it's moving backwards. I shake the cobwebs out of my head and try to concentrate on what my professor is saying, but it just goes in one ear and out the other. Finally, sweet relief as he dismisses us. I grab my laptop, bag and practically run back to my dorm.

I'm halfway across campus when I am struck with a fit of yawning. Coffee. I need coffee. I make a short detour to the dining hall and curse the line up. After what seems like an eternity, I grab my coffee, take the first sip and let out at long satisfied sigh. I take a minute to savour the caffeine jolt, put my ear buds in and head back to the dorm. I'm almost at the door, when I feel a hand on my shoulder. I almost jump out of my skin, spilling coffee down my jacket. 'Oh my god Y/N. I'm so sorry.' I turn around to see my best friend Joanna. 'I was trying to get your attention for two blocks, but I swear I didn't mean to scare you.' 'It's okay. I know you didn't mean to.' I smile, as I try to wipe the coffee off my coat. 'You excited for break?' she asks, as we head inside. I shrug, 'I guess.'

The halls are filled with sophomores and juniors getting ready to head home for a week full of food and family. I however, was going back to a cold, empty house as my parents were in Minnesota at my brother's hockey tournament. 'I doubt it will be as bad as you think,' Joanna says, trying to cheer me up. 'Maybe Tom will come home and surprise you.' I chuckle, 'You are ever the romantic, Joanna. But I don't think he can. He's in Atlanta filming right now.' 'Dare to dream, sweetie.' Joanna says, smirking. I laugh and shake my head. 'Don't forget to come sat goodbye before you leave,' I say as I open my door. 'You got it!'

I walk in and am struck by utter chaos. My roommate must have already left, leaving a path of destruction in her wake. There are clothes every where. She must have opened her closet and thrown every piece of clothing she had around the room trying to pack. I let out a aggravated moan and start cleaning up. Twenty minutes later, I have piled a mountain of cloths on her bed and sigh. I would kill to have a wardrobe like that. I grab my suitcase and open my closet. I pack enough for a few days and grab a duffel to bring some laundry home, looking forward to not having to feed the washer with quarters for a change.

I run through a list in my head to make sure I have everything. Confident I haven't missed anything, I fall on my bed, grabbing my phone. I check my emails, fire off a quick text wishing my brother good luck, when my phone pings with a text.
        I hope you had an amazing last day of classes before break. I miss you so much and wish I could spend Thanksgiving with you 😥❤️
My heart breaks with longing. I want Tom to be here with me about to head home for the holiday. I love that he has found something he loves to do, but I hate when he away filming. I can feel the tears welling up. I text Tom back telling him I love him and I miss him.

I look at my alarm clock and groan. It's after 6pm. A three hour car ride from Chicago back to Wisconsin in late November in the dark, great. Just great. We'll done Y/N. I get up, grab my bags, lock the door, say goodbye to Joanna and start the three block hike to my car.
                                  
Three harrowing hours later, I pull into the driveway of my parent's place. I get my bags out of the trunk and dig around my purse to find the house key as it starts to lightly snow. I thank my lucky stars I didn't have to drive home in a snow storm. I open the door, drop my bags, turning on the hall light. I take a deep breath, thinking how big and lonely this house is when it's just me. I head towards the kitchen, turning up the furnace and grabbing a bottle of water. I bring my things up to my room, head to the bathroom and run a bath.

I light some candles, get undressed and sink into the bubble bath. I let the warm water wrinkle my skin as I wonder what it is that sad, lonely people do on Thanksgiving. I can barely cook an egg, let alone a turkey dinner. Maybe I'll get some Chinese takeout, a bottle of wine and find something cheesy on TV. Just as I am about to doze off, I get up, dry myself off and head to bed. With my favourite pajamas on, I crawl into my bed. I grab my phone and send one final text before drifting off to sleep.
         Goodnight Tom. I got home safe and sound. I love you and I miss you more than anything xo