For Senior Year

Christmas Break

Tatum POV:

I packed up the remainder of my things and closed up my singular carry on luggage. I said goodbye to my teammates, as I won't be seeing them again until after Christmas break, and then started my walk to Emily and Sienna's dorm building.

The cold brisk air nipped at my ears and nose so I pulled my hat down all the way to my eyebrows so that it was covering the tops of my ears. Thankfully I wore gloves on my hands because even with the gloves I could feel the faint cold sting on the metal handle of my luggage.

Emily and I purposefully booked ourselves on the same flight home. Not only does it make it easier because we only have to pay the uber to the airport once, but we also wanted to fly down together. Emily and I have been attached at the hip ever since we got back together about a month ago.  Which reminds me, I haven't told anyone that doesn't go to UConn that we got back together.

My parents, Weston, Hannah, Chesca, none of them know and I'm not sure that Emily has told Evan that we got back together either. Our family and friend reunions are going to be full of surprises.

Of course I've kept in contact with my friends and family but its hard when you go away for college. Suddenly your everyday conversations disappear and become the occasional 'how's life going?' or 'what have you been up to?' Its not the same and I definitely wasn't expecting that. I won't lie, moving away for college has been a bit hard on me. 

I arrived at Emily and Sienna's dorm room not long after. Sienna was already gone as she had an earlier flight home than Emily and I do. When I got there, Emily was struggling to zip up her luggage as it was overflowing with all the gifts that she bought her friends and family. 

"Let me help with that." I said with a laugh. Emily just sighed and moved out of the way to let me zip up the luggage. After I did, I stood up proudly but Emily just gave me a look. 

"What's wrong?" She asked and I sighed. I guess she could tell that I was still a bit distraught over my thoughts from the walk here.

"Nothing. It's just that moving away for college has been so much harder than I thought it was going to be. Everything is different between me and my friends now and I miss my family." I admitted.

"Well we are going to visit everyone now so its all going to be okay." Emily said with a sigh as she stepped towards me, rubbing her hands up and down my arms. "I'm sorry." She whispered.

"Sorry for what?" I asked confused. 

"I'm sorry that because of me you got dragged all the way out here for school. Maybe if I wasn't so irrational then-"

"Woah slow down." I said, quickly cutting Emily off from spiraling. "Nothing about our breakup was your fault. Both times it was all me. I made mistakes and I'm sorry for that. You have nothing to apologize for. And you don't have to be sad for me because I chose to move so far away. I chose to move here because no matter how hard it may be, you make it all worth it." I said.

Emily smiled softly and gave me a look full of love. She stepped forward and gave me a soft loving kiss and I kissed her back with just as much love.

How did I survive so long without her?

"I love you." She whispered as we pulled apart.

"I love you too. Now lets get going before we miss our flight." I replied.

"Tatum don't even joke about that!" Emily squealed. "It's bad ju ju to even joke about it because then you actually will miss your flight!"

"Okay! Sorry no more joking!" I said with a laugh as I held my hands up in surrender. I then grabbed both Emily and my bags because despite her protests that I know she can carry them herself, why should she have to? That's what I'm here for.