"I'm not ready for you to leave me. This will be the first holiday without you" Emily groaned as she placed my clothes into the suitcase. I nod my head with a small pout. I wasn't exactly ecstatic to head back home either. I wasn't on the best terms with my parents. "I'm going to miss you" Emily cried as she hugged me tightly.

I chuckle and push her away, "It's only a week. I'm sure I'll be back to celebrate New years with you guys. No promises though."

The blonde nods her head. "So are you going to tell me where you got that hickey?" she pokes my chest. I regret wearing a v-neck shirt now. I groan and roll my eyes remembering the encounter I had yesterday with Casey. I still hadn't heard from her so I was sure she hadn't reached her destination yet.

"It's from Casey" I admit. Emily rolls her eyes, "Well duh. I was hoping for more details."

Of course she was. But was I ready to tell my best friend I had in fact let her student finger me yesterday? The more I overthought it, the more disappointed I felt in myself. "She fingered me" I spit as I continue to fold my clothes. I don't dare glance at my best friend as silence sets in around us. There was nothing more to say. I just hoped she wouldn't make this any more awkward for me than it already was.

We continue packing. It's when we move to the restroom when she speaks up. "How was it?" she questions causing me to eye her, hard. She laughs and raises her hands, "It's only fair. I told you about my first time with Sophia."

I groan, knowing she had a point. Plus, I was dying to tell her. I bite on my cheek, "Amazing. But it only lasted for 10 minutes then she had to leave. I'm so sexually frustrated it's killing me but she's not even here."

Emily smiles proudly and nudges my shoulder. "My best friend has crossed the line."

"Oh shut up!" I laugh as I push her lightly. Before our conversation could continue my phone rang, scaring both of us. I chuckle before exiting my restroom and grabbing my phone from the bed. I frown at the unknown number but answer anyway.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Kathryn" Casey's groggy voice is heard. Immediately the sound of her voice causes me to smile widely. I had no idea I was missing her this much. It hadn't even been 24 hours. "Sorry I didn't call you. We made a detour because Duke thinks he knows everything and then I fell asleep."

"It's fine. How are you?" I could hear the girl yawn, "Better now that I got to hear your voice, what are you doing?" Emily raises her brows, silently asking who was on the phone. I turn away from her, ignoring her, knowing if I told her it was Casey she would tease me. "Nothing, just packing."

"Packing? Are you going somewhere?"

"Yeah, I'm going to visit my family this year."

Before she could continue the conversation, I could hear her name being called. I frown, not wanting to part from her soothing voice. I hear her sigh before giving me her attention once again. "I've got to go. We're about to go eat. I'll call you tonight."

"Yeah, of course," I say trying not to let my annoyance be heard. Before Casey ended the line a line slips out of my mouth that I regret saying. I instantly feel awkward when she doesn't reply and hangs up instead. I groan and throw my phone on my bed before shoving my head into the bed.

I hear the bed shift, meaning Emily was now on side of me. "Did you just tell Casey you love her?"

I shut my eyes, "Shut up! She's going to avoid me now. I'm such an idiot" I groan. The blonde laughs causing me to glance up at her to see what was so funny. Did she think my misery was hilarious? Because it absolutely was not! "It just felt natural to say. God, I hate myself sometimes."

The woman laughs again before rubbing my back. "I would stay here and tease you about your word choice but I've got to go. I promised Soph I'd buy takeout and we'd have a movie night together." I groan knowing I would be left alone until tomorrow morning. "Don't worry, you'll see me bright and early tomorrow morning." That's all that's left to be said as she exits my apartment.

I sigh and lay in my bed. Casey probably wasn't going to call me later now that I think about it. Not after that. Fucking great!

I wake to the sound of banging on my door. I groan in annoyance as I head to the living room in confusion. I open the door, coming face to face with Emily. "What are you doing! Your flight is in less than 30 minutes!" she spits.

I furrow my brows before realization hits me. I groan as I realize I had immediately gone to sleep once she left. I didn't set my alarms nor was I ready to leave. "Kathryn, let's go" she snaps her fingers, bringing me out of my daze. I nod my head and rush into my room to gather my belongings.

Once I'm dressed and sure I have everything, I leave the apartment with Emily. We head to her car, which was still running with Sophia in the passenger seat and Cane in the back. I get in and greet the two. Emily gets in and as soon as we get out of the parking garage she hits the gas in order to get me to the airport.

"You should be ashamed! Is your phone dead or something? I've been calling you all morning" Emily spits sounding like an angry parent. I glance at my phone and press the side button. And of course, it was dead. What did I expect? I didn't even put it on the charger last night. Emily fusses at me all the way until we get to the airport.

"Be careful over there" Cane smiles as she hugs me quickly. I nod my head and hug Sophia next. Emily exits the car and enters the airport with me. "Please tell me you already checked in" she groans. I nod my head, that was the only good thing I did. She smiles and engulfs me in a bear hug. "I'm really going to miss you, Kathryn. Call me when you get there, alright. And be careful, I don't need you coming back scared."

I chuckle at my friend and nod my head. "I love you" she smiles before waving and leaving me to the security check.

Luckily I get onto my flight just in time. I smile as I remember that this flight had assigned seating, which meant I'd still have my window seat. I head to my seat and place my bag in the overhead compartments before squeezing between the pair of legs to sit down. Just two more hours until I would arrive in a familiar state.

I sigh and open the window and being blinded by the bright rays from the sun. I didn't want to go back home. I didn't want to see my parents.

- - - - -

I groan as I exit the gate. Immediately, I spot my brother and his wife. He approaches me with a big smile and hugs me. "Ah, I've missed you so much, Kathryn." I don't say anything as I hug him back. His wife smiles widely, "So you're Kathryn? You look much lovelier than the pictures let on."

I smile at her compliment, "Thanks."

Josh glances behind me, "Thomas didn't come with you?" he questions. I clear my throat, I forgot they didn't exactly know my personal life. "We broke up a while ago."

The boy smiles. I knew he was happy to hear it. The rest of the family would feel the same exact way. That was the main reason I didn't like keeping in touch with my family. They were pretty conservative. They swore they weren't racist but the moment anyone in the family got together with a person of color, it was the end of the world. And by 'anyone in the family' I mean me.

Oh and to add to that, they were homophobic. I let out a breath as I remember all the reasons I didn't particularly like my family. Josh and his wife, whose name I still didn't know, guide me to their car. Josh places my luggage into the trunk and we get in. I didn't want to go home. I really didn't.

"Oh, I'm Sarah by the way" the woman in the front seat introduces. I nod my head, "It's nice to meet you, Sarah."

Conversation is short and dull and I find myself missing my friends already. Within 30 minutes we make it to my parent's house. It hadn't changed one bit. Everything was the same as I left it 6 years ago. Josh grabs my suitcase and we head into the home. Instantly, I'm met with the aroma of pumpkin pie. For some odd reason, it reminds me of Casey.

Or maybe I just miss her.

"Kathy!" my name is called from different directions. I groan as I'm approached by several bodies. "I missed you so much" Abby; my oldest sister cries. I smile warmly, taking in her new appearance. I greet all my siblings before my mother's soft voice is heard. The others back down as my mother approaches me. I looked nothing like this woman.

I'd remember hearing all my life how I was a replication of the woman and now that I was looking back at her fragile frame, I begged to differ. "Hey, mom" I force a smile. She pulls me into a gentle hug! "Oh baby, I have missed you dearly."

I roll my eyes before realizing my father standing behind her. Damn, I'm caught. Once I hug my father, I'm allowed to get settled in. But my relaxation is cut short as I'm called back into the living room for a family catch-up sesh.

"Thomas and I broke up months ago" I sigh, having to give that information out twice in one day. My mother smiles, "That's great. I disliked that man anyways, he always looked so...aggressive. Which reminds me, do you remember Alexander Tilson, the boy you had the biggest crush on when you were 7?"

I frown. I definitely remember he had a crush on me. I just nod my head, not wanting to get into it with my mother so early in my visitation. "He recently became single! Since we knew you were coming we agreed to have dinner with his family Wednesday night."

Fucking great. My mom was about to play matchmaker but I was already in a relationship. The thought of Casey reminded me about my dead phone. I stand from the couch, "Give me a moment, I forgot to charge my phone. I'm sure Emily is blowing my phone up by now" I excuse myself.

"You're still talking to her?" my father questions. I ignore his question as I head back to my room. I plug my phone up and sit on the bed, waiting for it to charge a bit. After a few minutes, I turn my phone on. I cringe at the several missed calls and messages. First things first. I call Emily, knowing that if I didn't, she'd have my head.

She answers after the 3rd ring. "It's about time" she groans. I roll my eyes, "I miss you too. I want to go back home already."

"That bad?" she questions followed by a pitiful chuckle. "Not really, but I know it's coming. You remember Alexander Tilson?"

"The one who had a huge crush on you?" See! She gets it. "Yeah, the exact one. My mom reserved for us to have dinner with his family Wednesday night." "Oh god no. Is she playing matchmaker?"

I laugh, Emily was like a mind reader. We continue talking until there's a knock at my door. I hang up with her, not wanting my folks to say anything about it. "Since you're home, what would you like for dinner?" my mom questions.

I eye her and shrug my shoulders, not really feeling hungry. She nods her head and leaves me be, not bothering to close the door. I roll my eyes and decide to text Casey instead of calling her. I knew for a fact someone would be eavesdropping in on that conversation.

I stop as I notice her unsaved number had already texted me. A smile is planted on my lips as I read her text message. 'I'm not really ready to say the L-word, but I do like you a lot. Like to the moon and back.'