Drowning With You

CH. 22 ❄️

WINTER'S POV

"I'm sorry honey, work called, and I need to head out for the week," my mom says, her voice full of guilt. "You can still come home if you want, if you want to spend some time at the house, y'know, somewhere more familiar maybe?"

"Oh, um," I pause, not sure how to respond. I know she is busy and know she wouldn't go if it wasn't important, but it still hurts. "Yeah, I think I'll just stay here. It's okay. Not much reason to head home by myself." I try to word it as best as possible, so I don't make her feel bad, even giving a little laugh at the end.

"But don't worry, I'll take the whole summer off, and we can travel. Wherever you want. I'm serious. You and me—I'm sorry." Her apology is unnecessary, I know her job is stressful, and I know she works hard for us; for me.

Spring break is only a week, I'll be fine. Sure, I was excited for once, but I love her. I guess I'll just stay here while everyone is going home for the week.

Do they even feed us? I don't know what happens on break if you stay on campus. I've always went back home to my mom.

I look at the bags I'd just finished packing, too tired to unpack just yet. Maybe too upset as well.

Finding my dorm room lonely with the knowledge that I am stuck here for the week, I decide to go for a walk instead. I need air. Many people are out and about, bags in hands and heading near the edge of campus to get picked up.

I feel out of place, no plans to leave here anytime soon. We didn't have full crazy adventures on our list for the week, just hanging out together and watch movies, but it's been a while since I've seen her. I really miss my mom.

I was never forced to be at boarding school, but it was better than the public schools in my old town that had terrible education. Mom and I decided that with her hectic schedule, and the opportunity of financial aid, this would be the best option.

I've now been here since freshman year, and it's been great. Of course, I miss my mom, but it works for us. Swim team is great, too, something I wouldn't have been able to pursue if I had stayed in my hometown. The people here are a bit iffy—probably due to my attitude—but they weren't great at home either.

"Winter! Leaving soon?" Maya asks, one of the girls in my math class.

"Yeah, later," I reply, not wanting to tell her that I'm staying here because I have nobody else other than my mother and even she is now unable to hang out with me.

I don't even have any friends I could tell this to, no friends to ask if I could stay with them—although I wouldn't just be able to invite myself to their trip anyways. This is only a depressing string of thoughts.

"Well, I've got to head out. Have a great break!" she tells me, then waves at me before walking away, her suitcase rolling behind her.

This will suck, I've already accepted that.

I take a long walk, giving myself time out of my dorm room. With no homework this week, what else could I do here?

I guess I could watch movies on my laptop?

The couch in the lounge is empty, so I sit at one of the ends, putting my feet out in the middle and pull out my phone. I feel so stupid here, alone. This isn't what I expected. I'm wallowing, I know, but who can blame me? This is sad.

"The lone snowflake," someone says across the room, to which I quickly recognize as Louie. "Alone as usual." She fakes a sad frown, as if she feels bad for me.

"I'm not—" I'm not what? Alone? I am alone, though. "I'm not always alone." I try to counter her last statement, but we both know I have few people, if any.