Dorm 308

{ T H I R T Y }

Today is the last day of the first semester. Almost everybody who lives in the dormitory is starting to leave for the Christmas holidays. Even though the students are suffering the inevitable hangover of the concert party last night, the rustle and bustle of the people full of adrenaline rush can be heard going up and down the corridors from the door. The students seemed to be overly excited to leave and go home to their families.

We have a month of peaceful break, though some teachers left some incentive assignments and one of my teachers asked us to write down what happened day after day, before the second stressing semester starts. I'm already planning on what to do with my father for the holidays while I am home.

But amidst of all of this, Harry, who's casually watching some Marvel movies in the living room, is all cozied up, often whining about his battered up knuckles, in the black leather couch that I have taken refuged off. No bags packed, no plans of going home.

I haven't talked to him since last night probably because I was too busy comprehending what had happened. I realized as I lay on the couch last night that I should follow what Trevor said. Emotional Distance should do it.

"Are you not coming home for the holidays?" I inquisitively asked while looking for any signs if Harry had changed his mind. I keep roaming around the place to see if there are any belongings of mine that I haven't packed yet.

"Probably not." He tersely replied. I waited for him to elaborate his answer but he didn't seem to be in a chatty mood today. I ignored him instead than making a big deal out of it. Harry and I have been unbelievably close these past few days, though I'm planning to keep my distance a little away from him. Not because I hate him for liking someone but because I need to give myself sometime to think, more.

As I make my way back to the bedroom, where Harry moved some of his stuff aside to be able to place my stuff also, I heard Harry standing up from the couch followed by the soft patter of his bare feet hitting the floor. I felt Harry's looming presence near me before he was able to finish his question.

"Are you going to your house then?"

"Yes. My father and I either go out of town or cook and stay at home on Christmas Eve." I explained, plastering a small smile at him as I turned to look back at him over my shoulder as I neatly place my clothes inside my luggage.

"Um, do...d-do you mind if I-I co-come with you?" Harry nervously stuttered, his voice timid, which was a very unusual trait of him. His eyes are purposely avoiding eye contact while his lips are formed into a pout that is almost looking like a frown.

"Uh, yeah. Sure. As long as it's okay with you." I doubtingly replied. I don't think having Harry with me is good for my sanity. I just don't have the courage to reject him.

"Okay. I'll go pack then." A ravishing smile slowly creeps upon Harry's lips. His once timid eyes are now shining in delight. He suddenly looked like a kid on Christmas Eve.

It will be my first time to have a visitor for Christmas that isn't a relative. My grandparents, who are thankfully still alive, from my father's side visits us almost every year when I was little, but now that the distance between our states had increased and so does their age, they are rarely visiting us now. The past few years, it's always us who tried to visit every year but due to my father's unpredictable working schedule, we aren't able to make plans to visit them.

"How many days are we staying there?" Harry asked as he started to pull out his duffle bag from his chest drawers. He starts to heave clothes from his wooden wardrobe like he's planning to bring all of his clothes with him. Harry didn't even check if his clothes are neatly place inside his bag, he just puts them inside and place another towering pile.