Miserable

21

Thanksgiving Day approaches. Or rather, it's today. For Thanksgiving break all I did was babysit, go to church and cry.

I thought I'd run out of tears by now but it seems like with every memory that comes rushing back, I find myself tearing up again.

I hate that feeling.

I dress up in a light brown turtleneck sweater and black leggings. I put up my hair in a messy bun and head downstairs for breakfast.

Mom made some hot cocoa and I decide to have that and some toast for breakfast.

Throughout the rest of the morning, I sulk in the living room watching the Fault in Our Stars, Me Before You and Flipped. In summary, yes, I cried. A lot. Those movies helped me feel better though, for some reason.

Once two o' clock strikes, I help mom prepare for Thanksgiving dinner. The three friends decided to have dinner in our house since it's in the middle. Jade finally moved in her house yesterday and thankfully, her room's mezzanin is right in front of mine.

After preparing the dinner, everyone starts coming in.

"Happy Thanksgiving!" Everyone greets.

Before dinner, they decide to start a new tradition.

"Everyone must say something they're thankful for." Mom says excitedly. She obviously goes first.

"I'm thankful for my two children and being united with my friends. This year has had many challenges but I'm thankful that God helped us get though it." She says with tears in her eyes. It's pretty obvious that by challenges she meant losing dad and almost losing me.

Troy decides to go next. "I'm thankful for these people in this room. I may not have known you all for as long as I've lived but I'm blessed to know you-." He pauses, suddenly making eye contact with me.  "all." He finishes.

I decide to go next. "This year may have been hard. But I got to know God and have this group of people to support me. And I'm actually thankful I'm "done" with James. I don't wanna be stuck with a guy like him."

Jade smiles at me and I nod my head in recognition. One thing I noticed, I haven't smiled yet this week.

Everyone talks about being thankful for our friendship and for God being good despite the challenges. It is true.

We eat dinner and I find myself stuffed. Turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, and everything you see at a Thanksgiving dinner, except better. Since mom and Troy cooked.

We all talk about this year and what we're planning for the next year.

Troy looks at me and when I look back, he looks away. I nudge him with my foot and give him a questioned glance.

"Outside." He says. We excuse ourselves and head out.

"What is it?" I ask.

"I-it's just. I have a confession. But I don't want you to get mad." He says nervously.

Troy, nervous? Not a common scene.

"Go on. I won't get mad."

He takes a deep breath.

"Another reason why James hates me is because- I've always had a crush on this girl. She never noticed me, not until high school. Though our moms were friends, we weren't. Not until this year. James was worried that I'd spill the truth about him to her. So he threatened me. But I still dared to talk to yo- I mean, her." He pauses and his cheeks turn red.

I'm taken aback. "Wait. What?"

He sighs. "I'm thankful for you because you're kind, beautiful, smart, amazing- you're just you. When James knew I crushed on you since forever, he decided to get back at me for the "incident" in L.A. He lied to you and got you to date him. Something I never got to do yet always dreamed of doing. He hates me. He blames our family for what he did. And this is his payback. Also, he did crush on you before so he also hated me for "liking his girl." Though we were kids."

I find myself sitting on the grass, staring at my hands. "So you're saying that- that-"

"I like you? And that James did too and because I liked you while he did and because he hates me, he's mad and out for revenge? Yeah. That's what I'm saying." He says sitting beside me.

I lean on him and rest my head on his shoulder. I feel him tense up then relax.

"I c-can't believe it." I finally say after a minute of silence.

"I'm sorry I kept it from you. I just didn't know how to bring it to you especially after that hard breakup. But I guess cuz it's Thanksgiving and cuz I wanted to tell you I'm thankful God allowed us to meet, I had to tell you. But man, if I ever see him, I'm gonna beat him up."

"Hey. It's okay. And- thanks."

He smiles, making me smile.

He raised an eyebrow. "You're smiling? Like really smiling?"

I laugh. "Yes. Thanks to you."

We walk back inside, both of us smiling. Jade looks between us and raises an eyebrow. "I'm making a prediction that will hopefully come true." She says with absolute certainty.

Troy and I share a look and share a smile. "Whatever you want Jade." He says.

We all gather in the living room and play a game of Sequence. After two games, the doorbell rings.

Troy stands and says, "I'll get it."

We hear him open the door and then a commotion starts.

We hear shouts, arguments and punches. It's weird how we could hear a punch but we sure knew it was a punch.

We all raced to the doorway where we found Troy fighting with someone.

"James."