Home for the holidays

Chapter one- Ava

Throwing my suitcase on my bed I sighed. The worst part about going back home at Christmas is that I need to pack. My clothes are in a jumble on my bed with random unneeded clothing. Rummaging my way through the pile of scattered clothes trying to find my winter ones I want to give up, or scream. Or shout that I don't want to go home for Christmas, not because I don't love my family I do I just hate the small suburban town that is home. Returning my thoughts back to the clothes I wonder if this job would be easier If I hadn't dumped basically my whole wardrobe on my bed; I don't think I'll be needing a bikini in winter for one. Finding a few jumpers and jeans I shove them into the case not even caring to fold them. Pushing my hands down hard on the top on my suitcase I manage to get the zipper going with it making a squeaking sound and another few protests. I'm only staying for two weeks so I'm hoping these clothes will see me through. Other than the abundance of jumpers I packed I also added one dress for the towns annual Christmas party. 

Hearing a snicker at my doorframe I look over to see Wayne my roommate, "Why do women always pack so much?"

"Isn't that a bit of an outdated gender stereotype?"

His hand scratches along his jaw rubbing against the stubble, "Hmm I suppose so. Anyway are you planning on meeting a bunch of hot chicks? If there's any straight ones please feel free to give them my number." Wayne added a wink at the end which made me want to laugh at the attempt. 

"Oh my god Wayne you're such a douche!" Reaching onto my bed I grab a pillow managing to project it far enough to hit him on the head. 

"Dude chill or you won't know what you've started," he teases while sauntering over to me a malicious glint in his eyes. 

He holds up the pillow right near my face, yes the smart thing would be to move right now but instead I freeze. Thats fight or flight syndrome for having the worse reflexes in a pillow fight, "Don't you dar--" before I can get the whole sentence something collided against my face. This goes on for a few more minutes until we're both out of breath. 

"As fun as that was I'm meeting some mates in fifteen minutes and now need take a shower," Wayne said a smile plastered on his face. He heaves himself up from off the floor walking out of the room. He believes he won but as there wasn't a spectator who's to say it wasn't me? I met Wayne in college and we got along instantly-- he's straight so I was paranoid at first to tell him I'm a lesbian because you never know how straight guys will react. Turns out he was fine with it and even tried to help me pick up girls at bars. When we had to choose new accommodation we decided to live together, some of his friends thought it was weird he was living with a woman he can't hook up with but we just clicked. Plutonic soulmates is what I'd call it however if you ask him he'd say I'm just a weirdo he can't get rid of. Despite him saying such things he's been here for me a lot especially when I get panic attacks, he was with me during my first one and instantly tried to do what he could. Now I'm on medication and it's better but not totally fine. He stops in the doorframe and looks at me, "Hey are you ok?"

I give him a tight smile and say that I'm fine before he looks at me dubiously before nodding. Once I hear the click of the bathroom door I exhale and go to finish packing my stuff. To be honest I am nervous about going home. My family is ok with me being a lesbian we just don't really talk about it and if we do its kind of awkward. But they know they have to accept that I'm an adult and one day I will hopefully come home with a girlfriend. Despite dating a few women this year none have really worked out and I somehow always manage to fall into the friend zone for them. It's been so long since I've had sex that Wayne has been teasing me to just invest in a really good vibrator (he doesn't know I already have one). But it's not the same as feeling physical touch or the way her lips would caress against mine. The whole situation makes me feel like a failure, I'm an adult I'm supposed to have my life together. At least thats what my parents think. To them I should already be in a good settled relationship and not be twenty five with a roommate. They've been nagging me even more about getting my life together since my older sister (by two years and eight months) is already settled down with a husband and a baby on the way. At this point I've barley thought about moving out let alone marriage. Whenever I try to picture my future I come up blank, I used to imagine a quaint little house with a wife and a cat-- if she's a dog person then it's a deal breaker I'm a cat lesbian through and through. 

Managing to zip up my suitcase I drag it to a standing position getting ready to move it to the front door. Taking my coat I drag it along shouting a quick bye to Wayne who is currently blaming the Wicked soundtrack so I doubt he heard me. Getting into the cab I pre booked I make my way to the airport. 

***

My luggage gets checked and everything is fine. The crows to the airport are busy as I try to manoeuvre my way through the cluster of people. As I'm moving through I collide into a woman holding a cup of coffee. 

"Shit! Watch where you're going asshole," she curses looking down at her now coffee covered hoodie. Rolling her eyes she walks off before I can even muster a sorry. 

My pulse rises on instinct embarrassment and guilt hitting me like a truck. I watch as she storms off with her small carry on suitcase going in the exact direction I need to go. Theres no way we'd be on the same plane though besides she looks like the type of women that'd fly first class. Her brown hair was done up into the perfect messy bun and although she was flying she was still wearing a full face of makeup. She was stunning-- though I only got a glance at her beauty before met with full rage. Sighing I continue walking desperately trying to avoid anywhere she could be. 

*** 

Getting onto the plane I try to relax as I can't see coffee lady anywhere. Its only a four hour flight so I brought a book with me and downloaded a movie on my phone. My plan is to just settle as much as I can. However that plan goes to ruin when a few rows in front of me I spot the woman I spilt coffee on. I can just about see that she's taken off her sweatshirt but from where I am hopefully she won't see me. Trying to distract myself I gaze out the window wishing longingly that this flight was already over. Scratch that I wish this day was over. Since waking up I've managed to humiliate myself in front of a stranger and ruin her sweatshirt not to mention she's on the same plane. If there is a god can he please give me a break just for today or my stay with my family. Getting settled I manage to distract myself by the book I'm ready just enough to not want the ground to swallow me up. 

***

Landing I gather my luggage trying to ignore everyone around me. Heading out to the front of the airport I wait for my perfect sister and her perfect husband to pick me up with their perfect baby. I love my sister I really do but I know this whole stay will be about how great her life is progressing while mines stuck with a shitty job. Don't get me wrong I love being a bartender but the company I work for is overbearing and I want more for myself-- maybe do something including my degree. 

My sisters car rolls up her husband driving them. 

"Hey Stacy! Damien good to see you," I greet my sister with a hug noticing the way her bump has gotten bigger since I've last seen her. She should be around five months by now. Damien waves at me from the window watching me struggle as I try to shove my luggage in the trunk. 

"Are you excited to come home?" Stacy asks glowing. 

Instead of answering her question I instead respond, "It's good to see you." Getting into the car I gaze out my window as Damien drives away seeing a glimpse of someone with a messy bun in the corner of my vision. Before I could see who it was we were off like nothing was ever there. As we drive away I try to prepare myself for going home. 

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Hi I hope you like my new story. Its a bit different then my regular but nevertheless I hope you guys enjoy.