Shooting Stars

Chapter 56: The Familiarities of Home

{Ally} 

 I slam the top of my suitcase shut. 

 That's the last one. 

 I zip it up, and wheel it to where the stairs are in my home, reminding myself not to forget it on the way down. 

 I don't need nearly as much luggage as I did on my last trip to The Windy City. 

 And, yes. 

 Today, is the day. 

 Monday, December 15. 

 I leave for Chicago, today. 

 I am going to be in Chicago from today until Sunday, January 4. 

That's a solid two and half weeks. 

 It's going to be amazing. 

 I have pulled through the entire first semester, and it has finally come to an end.

 Finally. 

I finished my last exam on Friday, December 12. 

 Right after I finished, I grabbed a coffee from the corner coffee store right by the University campus, and then drove home. 

 I slept. 

 For two days straight, pretty much. 

 I ate lots, too. 

 I hadn't been feeding my body in the right ways since exam week had started. 

 I was so stressed, weak, and exhausted that the thought of finally returning to Chicago in a few days didn't even excite me as much as it should. 

 It didn't feel real. 

 After my last exam on Friday, and as the weekend progressed, the reality started to sink in. 

 My stress began to fade, and the thought of being back in Chicago once again... 

 It finally hit me. 

 And as soon as it did, I immediately started crying. 

 Tears of joy, of course. 

 I was seeing Jonathan again. 

 I was seeing Jonathan in a few short days. 

 I began packing, and scrambling around like crazy. 

 I have been waiting this entire semester to see him. 

My heart has been aching and longing for his presence since August.

 And the day has finally come. 

 Nothing could get me down right now. 

 Absolutely nothing. 

 So much has happened over the past four months, and all I want is to be back in Chicago with the people I trust more than anything. 

 All I want is for Jonathan to hold me in his arms once again.

 I want that security. 

 I shake my head out of my thoughts and glance at the clock in my room. 

 10:30 AM. 

 Shit! 

 I'm supposed to be leaving right now! 

 My flight is at 12:15 PM out of Buffalo, and I should be in Chicago around 1:30. 

 The flight is quick, thankfully.