Misunderstandings (Woodfalls Girls 2)

“Three and a half weeks,” I corrected, trying not to smile. She was right, though. I was over the moon about spending the next few weeks with Justin without any interference. No studying, no exams, no classes, and no deadlines. My classes over the last few weeks had consumed every waking hour, including the majority of my sleeping hours. Every second was spent preparing for finals. The last exam had ended sixteen hours ago. I celebrated by stumbling across campus in a fog before crashing into my bed for fifteen hours of much-needed sleep. Finally, I no longer resembled a zombie and could be accepted back into humanity. More importantly, I was ready to spend time with Justin. Seeing him for only a handful of hours during the last few weeks had sucked. If I didn’t miss him so much, I might have been concerned at my growing codependency on him. Either way, I was shocked at how well our relationship had been progressing. Since our blowup three weeks ago, we had grown even closer. Now, almost two months into my longest relationship ever, I couldn’t help feeling almost giddy.

“You don’t think it’s too forward?” Melissa asked.

“Not at all. Asking him to come for New Year’s is the best of both worlds. You’ll get to spend Christmas with your family and New Year’s with your boyfriend.”

“Good point,” she squealed, pulling her phone from her pocket. Her tears dried up as she hastily called Rob. I had done my job.

Shaking my head at her quick rebound, I headed to the bathroom to get ready before Justin arrived to pick me up. I could hear Melissa’s excited chatter through the door. By the sounds of it, Rob was obviously receptive to her invitation. Pleased with my good deed, I switched on the shower, grabbing the cashmere-scented gel from the Bath & Body Works gift basket Melissa had given me for Christmas. She knows me so well, I thought as I inhaled the heavenly scent.

By the time I returned, our room was empty. I found a note from Melissa on my desk wishing me a happy holiday and instructing me to text or call if I needed anything. She was sweet. I pulled out my suitcase from under my bed. After many back-and-forth texts, Justin had convinced me to spend the holidays at his house since my building would be closed to students for the break. My original plan was to sublet a room off campus from a friend who was going home for the holidays. It was a win-win situation for her. Spend the holidays at home, while she earned a little spending cash by renting her room for a few weeks. It would have put a strain on my cash surplus, but spending the entire three weeks with Justin and his family bordered on crazy. Eventually, he wore me down. I couldn’t deny I was happy about my decision. Honestly, the idea of rooming with some other poor sap who didn’t have the funds to go home for the holidays held little appeal.

It took less than an hour to finish packing. Knowing I needed to eat a little crow, I decided to call my mom before Justin arrived to try to make amends for not coming home for the holidays.

She picked up the phone after one ring, like she had been waiting for my call.

“Hey, Mom.”

“Brittni, why did it take this long for you to call me?” she said shortly.

“I know, I’m sorry. I just had a lot of loose ends to tie up before they lock this place down,” I said, pacing the floor.

“Sorry enough to fly home to your poor lonely mom?” she sniffed.

“I would if I could, Mom, but we discussed this, right? I’m seriously behind in some of my classes. If I want to keep my grades up, I need to buckle down.”

“Why are you behind? Have you met someone?” she probed.

I closed my eyes, counting to five before answering. “No, Mom, I haven’t met anyone,” I lied. “The classes I’m taking are just very time-consuming.”

“I just don’t see why you can’t work here. Honey, it’s Christmas and I haven’t seen you since summer break.”

“I know, Mom, but that would mean me lugging all my textbooks home and all my study materials. I have everything I need here, including the library if I need anything else.”

I could hear her long sigh of acceptance. I felt guilty lying to her and almost changed my mind.

“Besides, Mom, I wouldn’t be any fun holed up in my room the whole time. I’d just wind up feeling guilty.”

“I would understand,” she said halfheartedly.

“No, you wouldn’t, and I wouldn’t blame you. That’s why it’s best if I just stay here.” She remained silent for a moment. I couldn’t tell if she was crying or just trying to think of something else to say to try to convince me to come. “Look, Mom. It’s not like college will last forever. Maybe I can come home for spring break.”

“No maybes about it. You will come home for spring break,” she insisted. “I guess maybe I could go see Suzie and Steve in Arizona,” she finally conceded.

“I think that’s a great idea. Why don’t you give Suzie a call now?” I said, relieved we had reached a compromise.

“Are you sure you’ll be okay all alone during the holiday? I feel bad at the idea of my baby alone on Christmas.”

“I’ll be fine, Mom. I’ll be so brain-fried from schoolwork I probably won’t even notice. If I get lonely, I’ll see if a few of the other students sticking around want to see a movie or something,” I said.

“You’re sure?”

“Positive. Now call Suzie,” I ordered.

“Fine, but I expect calls from you nightly.”

“Mom,” I warned.

“Fine. Every couple of days, so I know you’re okay.”