Not the Same

Chapter nine

The week seems to pass by relatively quickly. I spend most of it basically crying over work because my professors all decided it was a good idea to assign papers this week. Don't you just love when that happens? Said no one ever. Hailie is back to normal; acting as if she was never sad in the first place, which I guess in some ways is good. The curious part of me really wants to know what my idiot brother did, but I know that if she wanted to tell me, she would. I have to respect that.

Pretty soon it's Friday. Tomorrow morning starts the beginning of family weekend. Originally, I was planning on just staying in this weekend and eating a ridiculous amount of candy while watching as many Disney movies as possible like I did last year, but my plans have changed. All week I've been too stressed and busy to think about family weekend, but now that I've finished my work, I have time to think.

So I've been freaking out since I finished class this afternoon.

I know I'm not really dating Cameron, but meeting your boyfriend's parents is a big step, regardless of whether it's a real relationship or not. I've only been in a relationship once and had the most awkward time when meeting his parents. Long story short, I thought his mom and dad were his grandparents.

They were not pleased and never let me forget it.

"Hailie, can you help me?" I ask her desperately, while staring into my closet. I'm usually not someone who cares too much about looking nice, but I'll make an exception for this weekend.

"Finally" Hailie cheers, throwing her arms up in the air and staring at the ceiling. "Thank you God; she has finally come to her senses and realized that she should put some more effort into her appearance!"

Hailie jumps off her bed and runs over to my closest. After a few minutes of tossing my clothes around the room, she pulls out a floral romper and a jean jacket. She pairs the outfit with brown sandals and some gold bangles.

"Wear your hair in braids tonight so it'll be wavy tomorrow," Hailie instructs me. I stare at her hopelessly. "Oh yeah, I forgot you had a very tomboyish childhood and don't know how to braid. I'll do it."

Back when Adam and I were close, I detested anything and everything girly. My mom was not pleased about it. She used to force me in dresses and put my hair in pigtail braids, which I would always ruin. Eventually, after years of soiled dresses and messy braids, she gave up.

Hailie and I spend the rest of the night talking and watching old Ellen videos on YouTube. At around one in the morning, Hailie closes her computer, telling me to get some sleep because I'm in store for a long weekend.

I wake up to the sound of my phone chiming. Groggily, I check it to see that I have a text from Cameron.

Cameron: I hope you're up. My family will be here soon. Meet me at the food court in a half hour.

I sleepily get out of bed and start to get ready. I pull on the outfit Hailie picked out for me last night and take my hair out of the braids. Next, I walk into the bathroom and apply a light amount of makeup. I check my phone to see that this took about twenty-five minutes. I stare at myself in the mirror; I guess this is as good as it's gonna get. Sighing, I grab my room key and head towards the food court.

The campus is filled with happy families visiting their children. I try to shake the longing feeling that comes when I see them. Deep down, I always wished my family could be like that, but I know that isn't possible.  Too much has happened between us.

Come on, snap out of it, Avery.  Now's not the time to be sad.

Cameron is waiting for me by the door of the food court. He nods at me when he sees me.