37

The first two weeks of November flew by in a flurry of papers, class registration, and dodging calls from my mother.

Saturday morning, I had just settled in under a blanket on the futon to start reading The Bell Jar when my phone rang.

I sighed. "I just want to read this."

Flipping my phone over, I smiled. It was a group video call with Dad and Sierra.

"When are you two coming home for Thanksgiving break?" Dad asked as soon as I answered.

"Next Friday afternoon," Sierra said. I often forgot how much Sierra looked like our dad until I saw them together. They had the same brown eyes, and Sierra smiled just like Dad.

"I'll probably head over Saturday morning," I said.

"Pebbles can't wait," Dad said, reaching down to pet her. "She misses her girls."

"Good thing we're only going home to see her," Sierra said as I rolled my eyes.

"Funny." Dad also rolled his eyes as he pretended to laugh.

I stretched my legs out and dropped The Bell Jar to the floor.

"What about Tyeshia?" I asked.

"Saturday morning," We all heard Tyeshia say in the background. "I'll probably be over there a lot. It's my mom's week on."

Tyeshia's single mom was an overnight ER nurse at the hospital. She worked seven days on and seven days off. When Tyeshia was home from school, she often stayed at Dad's house during her mom's on weeks.

"We know the rules, Dad," Sierra said as Dad opened his mouth to speak. "Guest room only."

"Same goes for Tyler," he said, looking at me.

How did Tyler get brought into this?

"What do you mean?" I asked, confused.

"Were you not planning on bringing him?"

"I…hadn't thought about it," I said slowly, typing a message to Tyler.

Me: What are you doing for break?

Me: If you don't have plans, you can come home with me

"I'm sure campus will be lonely," Dad continued

"Yeah, without Lexi there," Sierra said and stuck her tongue out at me.

"Sierra, stop it," I whined.

Dad gave her a stern look and said, "Sierra, be nice to your sister."

How many times is he going to have to say that over break?

"Maybe you two should just stay on campus this year," he joked.

"No, Pebbles will miss this too much," I said.

He smiled, "Yeah, she would. We'll see you next week, girls."

We ended the call, and I saw a reply from Tyler.

Tyler: I was planning on staying here

I was typing out a response when I heard a knock on my door. Picking The Bell Jar up off the floor, I walked across the floor and found Tyler leaning against my door frame.

"Figured this was easier." He shrugged. "Your dad is okay with me coming home with you over break?"

"It was his idea," I said, standing on my tip toes for a kiss.

"I would love to then." He wrapped his arms around me and pulled me in for a deeper kiss.

I love you.

"Let's go get breakfast."