Don't Stand So Close (completed)

Chapter 11*

After my last class on Wednesday afternoon I went straight to the clinic for my exam and STD test. It went by quickly and uneventfully. Harry had his test on Monday. I couldn't wait to see him after dinner on Thanksgiving. It affected in me butterflies for days in a row. When I met up with Starla for coffee in between classes on Tuesday she mentioned how happy I seemed, despite working so much. I just told her that it was nice to save money but I was also looking forward to my dad getting two new servers. Which, he'd finally put the ad out to hire. I hoped we'd get responses quickly. I needed a break from the work so I could focus more on finals coming up. And have more time to see Harry.

Starla was officially dating Paul. The kind of official where they're not boyfriend and girlfriend but they are exclusive. She told me all about him, how kind and smart and interesting he was. I was happy for her. I kept wanting to tell her about my own love life but I couldn't. I'd have no one to talk to about it. But I was in such a good mood at the notion of seeing him again that I barely gave it too much thought.

I went to my parent's after my exam and test. The restaurant was closed Wednesday and Thursday for the holiday. My mom, dad, and I prepared some of the food we'd be eating on Thanksgiving while we listened to music and fooled around. We drank too much wine and watched holiday movies together. I love Thanksgiving. It's always so relaxing and being able to look forward to all the good food was the best part. But this Thanksgiving was different. Yes, I would look forward to all the good food but I was mostly looking forward to seeing Harry. I was antsy to have him again. To be near him. Kiss him, talk with him in person. He'd called me while we were preparing the brine for the turkey and I asked my mom and dad to excuse me as I ran to my bedroom and closed the door, answering his Face Time call in haste.

There he was, my man, so sexy and smart and fun. Dimples digging into his cheeks and that deep, raspy voice.

"Hi babe. How're you?" he asked right away. I put my airpods in so that my parents wouldn't hear his voice and settled onto my bed.

"Good. Just getting some stuff ready for dinner tomorrow. It's fun. I like Thanksgiving. How're you?"

He sighs and rubs over his face and I see him sit down on his couch, "Eh. I'm okay. Just looking forward to seeing you tomorrow. Makes me feel a little bad that I'm looking more forward to seeing my girlfriend than my daughter." He chuckles and I respond with a snicker. I know he loves Starla but he and I haven't had a lot of time together since we decided to be together.

"I know. But you'll get tired of me soon enough. Then you'll go back to only missing Starla." I laugh, half joking but Harry scoffs.

"Don't think so. I'm quite taken. I miss you so much and I like you so much... I just don't think I could get tired of you. Never." He smiles warmly at me.

We talk about how our day is and Harry doesn't really celebrate Thanksgiving being from England so he's just going to have a salad and soup and a beer tonight. Not that he doesn't like Thanksgiving, but it's just not something he has ever cared about enough to celebrate it, except with his daughter.

We repeat our plans for the following day and say our goodbyes. When I return to my mom and dad, they're dancing together cutely, a little wine drunk maybe. I hope to one day be so happy and in love with someone like that. I wonder if Harry and I could ever be free to love one another in such a way. We eventually settle in for a movie all squished together on the couch with blankets and pillows. The night before Thanksgiving is always my favorite.

Thanksgiving morning is casual and calm. I tell my mom and dad that I'm going to meet up with some friends that evening and that I won't return but that I'll be at the restaurant on Friday as planned. They don't seem too concerned but they do mention that I'm leaving them alone on Thanksgiving with way too much food to eat on their own - trying to guilt me but they're mostly joking.