Love Is a Bunch of Stupid Decisions

Chapter 12

I never really understood why people got so excited for Christmas. Sure, when you were a kid, you got time off from school and presents. But now I was an adult, which meant that I was the one buying gifts, and I just felt obligated to spend time with family that I had no desire to see. Saying goodbye to the cast was the worst part, especially Ben. Knowing that he was going home to see his loving family made me want to hide in his suitcase and go with him.

"I know you're not excited, Char. But they're your family! You haven't seen them in months. At least go for a few days, and if worst comes to worst, get an early flight back to Chicago. Or to Lorton, because you're always welcome." Ben says, giving me a comforting hug. I hadn't said anything to prompt him, which means that the dread must be written all over my face. Ben handed me the bag of mine that he had carried through the airport for me, and I slung it over my shoulder.

"Only a week and a half. I can do this."

"That's my girl," Ben responds, smiling down at me. I smile weakly back at him, setting my bag on the ground to give him another hug.

"I'm gonna miss you," I sigh, hugging him as tight as I could.

"I'm gonna miss you too," He says, kissing the top of my head. "But I don't want you to miss your flight, so you'd better go." I nod, trying to swallow the lump in my throat. "I love you, Char."
"Love you too, Cook."

My flight back to Michigan was uneventful. I mostly stared out the window, trying not to think about what was to come. Once I land, I'm luckily able to find an Uber home (I forgot how uncommon Uber was here), since my parents never offered to pick me up from the airport.

I stand in my driveway for what might be too long. Everything looked the same, but at the same time, it looked completely different. There was no real way to describe it.

A deep, shaky breath escapes my lungs, and I walk up to the front door, making my way in. Between my suitcase and two bags, I make a ton of noise as I enter our house, but I'm only met with silence.

"Hello?" I say, knowing from the lights on in the living room and the faint hum of our TV that someone's here.

"Hey, Charlotte." It's my mom's voice, grey and dreary as always. "Come on in."

Something about my oh-so-warm welcome feels like a kick in the gut, and for a moment all I can think about is how Ben and I were greeted when we got to his house. His mom opening the door before we were even up the driveway, hugs and smiles and 'it's so nice to see you's. Meanwhile, my mom didn't bother to get up from her seat. You would have thought I'd just come back from grocery shopping rather than from spending months away from home. This week and a half might be harder than I thought.

And for the next few days, that's exactly how it was. Stale and empty dinner conversations about 'that boyfriend of yours- Blake? Brett? What's his name again?' and FaceTiming Ben as much as I possibly could.

"How is the Cook clan?" I ask Ben. I was currently hiding away in my room, having told my parents that I had another important 'work call' to take.

"They're doing good, how about your family?"

I groan, which pretty much says all I need it to. "You know. Average."

Ben pouts. "Well, it's already been four days, you're almost halfway through. Besides, the day after tomorrow is Christmas, and no one can be sad on Christmas."

"Well, there's a first for everything, isn't there?" Ben glares at me through the camera, and I realize how pessimistic I'm being. "Ugh, I'm sorry. It just sucks being here when I'd rather be with you, and your family."