Valentina Finds Her Voice | A Blushington Book

Chapter 7

It appeared that once fall arrived all of the holidays were fast approaching. Once Halloween ended all anyone could talk about was Thanksgiving break. Some of the girls, like me, were going home and some were staying and planning a friendsgiving at Blushington.

At first I couldn't imagine anyone wouldn't want to go home, but I quickly realized not everyone had the option. For some of the girls Blushington was more than just a school it was a boarding school and they wouldn't see their families until summer.

Thankful that my family lived nearby and I was able to go home; I packed eagerly. Jalissa said she'd see me when she got back; she was spending the week in Sweden with her parents. I told everyone goodbye and found my parents waiting for me in the parking lot.

It didn't seem like a whole month had gone by since the festival but I was ecstatic to see them again and couldn't wait to see all of our relatives who'd come in from out of town. Being an only child has its benefits but it also has its share of loneliness. So time spent with cousins was amazing.

When we got home I didn't let dad pull into the garage; I asked to be let out and ran onto the porch and hugged the banisters. I said hello to every room of the house while mom and dad brought my suitcase inside.

"The house is glad to have you back too," dad said with a grin, "although it hasn't been as messy since you left."

"No need to worry house I'm a Blushington woman now and I run a tidy ship," I said with a salute.

I took my bag upstairs and said hello to my room. I told it how much I missed it and how even Blushington couldn't compare to its charms.

We spent the week together getting ready to receive family and on Thanksgiving Day Mom called me downstairs to help with the food. Both Grandmas arrived with loads of food and hugs. I told them all about school, my new friends, my classes and my strange but lovable roommate.

As more and more family poured in we got to my favorite family tradition, crafts. Every year the women made something together while the men watched the game. It could be a paper wreath, a thankful tree, a small quilt or something we'd use to decorate the house.

But this year mom bought everyone a small easel and a paint set. The paint set had their names written in calligraphy and a small golden brush attached. She said Blushington inspired her to excel in beauty this year.

I laughed and we all got to work. Later my cousins and I hung out in my room, listening to music, dancing and catching up. We decided to see a movie later and stayed up so late when we awoke we were sprawled everywhere.

It was the best Thanksgiving we've had in a long time. I needed to be around my people this week and when it was time for it to end I felt like I needed one more day.

Buoyed by the past week I headed back to Blushington determined to finish the semester strong. I walked back through those big wooden doors with a gusto I didn't know I had. But when I walked back into my room one side of the dorm was completely empty.

Thanks for reading!

X B

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