Chapter Fourteen
T he weeks after Kelsey’s play fly by in a blur of classes, study sessions, and time spent with Ryan. Before I know it, midterms are upon us and Thanksgiving break is just around the corner. I’m sitting in the student center between classes, staring out the window at the falling leaves—the trees more bare than not, thinking about how my first semester of college is almost over.
It’s hard to believe how much has changed in just a few months. I’ve made new friends, found a passion for journalism, and started a relationship with an incredible guy. I feel like I’ve grown a lot and changed in such a short amount of time. But with Thanksgiving break approaching, I’m starting to feel anxious. The thought of going home to Arizona and not seeing Ryan for two weeks makes my stomach churn. My mother’s texts about my flight and all the activities she has planned for us to do together increase my anxiety.
Just as I’m lost in my thoughts, Ryan slides into the seat across from me, his presence instantly bringing a smile to my face and making me forget the anxiety of being overscheduled back home.
“Hey, beautiful,” he says, leaning over to give me a quick kiss. “What are you thinking about so hard?” He leans over and rubs at the deep v between my eyes.
“Just how fast this semester has gone by,” I reply, taking his hand and placing it in mine. “And how weird it’s going to be to go home for Thanksgiving and not see you.”
Ryan’s eyes soften as he squeezes my hand. “I’ve been thinking about that, too. But, you know, there’s always another option.”
I raise an eyebrow, intrigued. “Oh? And what would that be?”
“Well,” he says, a playful smile tugging at his lips, “You could always stay here and come back with me to my parents’ farm. You can meet them and see where I’m from. I’d love to show you around. You could learn what farming is all about and maybe even get some ideas on some stories about farming in America for the paper.”
My heart skips a beat at the thought. I hadn’t even dreamed about going to his parents’ farm. “Really? You want me to meet your parents?”
“Yes,” Ryan says, his eyes serious. “I’ve been thinking about it for a while now. I want you to be a part of my life, Hailey. And that includes meeting my family. You’ll get to see where I’m from.”
A rush of warmth spreads through me. “I’d love that, Ryan but I don’t know. Are you sure your parents wouldn’t mind me tagging along for Thanksgiving?”
“They’ll be thrilled,” he assures me. “It’ll be a nice break. What do you say? Doesn’t everyone want to spend their vacation at a working farm?” He gives me a cheeky grin.
“I don’t know,” I say, but it sounds more like a yes than a no. “My parents already bought my plane ticket, and my mom already has a ton of plans. I’ve never been away from home on a holiday before—and I’ve not seen them since school started…”
“Think about it.” He tugs playfully on a lock of hair. “Open invitation for when you decide to skip the sun for a cold farm with me.”
I laugh. “Well, how could I ever say no to that?”
“Don’t worry,” he leans in, “I’ll keep you warm.”
My heart skips a beat and I can feel my face getting flush. “I’ll think about it,” I promise.
Despite the fact that I said I’d have to think about it, we spend the next hour talking about his family and the farm. Ryan tells me about the horses they raise, the fields they tend, and the small town nearby. It’s clear how much he loves it, and his enthusiasm is contagious. I can’t help but feel a deep sense of contentment. This is where I want to be, with Ryan, experiencing new things together. The thought of meeting his family and seeing where he grew up makes the anxiety I have about going home seep away.
I don’t know if it’s his positive energy and excitement for going home or the idea of escaping all of the commitments my mother has for me back home but I no longer need any time to think about it. I even interrupt him mid-sentence. “Yes, I’d love to go home with you.”
Ryan smiles. “I’ll let them know. My parents are going to love you.”
Later, as we walk back to the dorm, Ryan wraps his arm around me, pulling me close. The crisp air is filled with the scent of fallen leaves, and the sky is painted in that orange light turning dark blue of night settling in around us.
“Thanks for agreeing to come with me,” Ryan says softly. “It means a lot.”
“Of course,” I reply, resting my head on his shoulder. “I can’t wait to see the farm and meet your family.” I groan. “I do dread calling my mom, though.” “Do you think she’s going to be upset?” he asks.
I shrug. “I don’t know. I don’t think it’s about money—more about the fact that I don’t really tell them no.” I sigh and plaster a smile on my face. “But I don’t care about that. I want to go with you and that’s what I’m going to do. They’ll have to deal with it.”
The arm around me gives me a soft squeeze. “It’ll be fine. Then we can relax. You’ll love it, I promise.”
We reach my dorm, and Ryan walks me to my room. Before I open the door, he pulls me into a tender kiss, his lips warm and soft against mine. The world seems to fade away, leaving just the two of us in this perfect moment.
“I have one more midterm tomorrow morning and then if you want we can cut out early. I don’t need to be here Friday and today was your last one, right? ” he asks, his forehead resting against mine.
“Right. Today was the last.”
“Ok, let’s leave after that. Pack warm clothes. It gets pretty chilly out there.”
I nod, a smile spreading across my face. “I’ll be ready.”
As Ryan walks away, I feel a flutter of excitement. This Thanksgiving is going to be different from any I’ve ever had, and I can’t wait to see what it brings. Now to just tell my mother I’m not coming home in two days.
Forty-eight hours later, I’m up early, packing my bag with warm clothes and essentials. Kelsey, still in her pajamas, watches me with a curious expression.
“So, you’re really going to Ryan’s farm for Thanksgiving?” she asks while eating a Pop Tart in bed.
“Yeah,” I reply, folding a sweater and placing it in my bag. “It’s exciting, right? I’ve never seen a farm.” She gives me a look. “Okay fine. I’m nervous. Jittery. Nervous jitters of excitement.”
“And you broke the news to your mom and dad?” she asks, eyeing my movements.
I flinch thinking back on the conversation I had with them the other night. It required a video call with both of my parents. My mom of course cried like I knew she would, but my dad was understanding. He told me to go off and have fun and get the college experience . My mother’s scoff could be heard for miles. She even used the line, I’m not upset, I’m disappointed. She had stopped crying before we ended our conversation so I was taking it as a good sign that she wouldn’t be disappointed forever.
“Yes. I told them while you were out the other night.”
Kelsey smiles. “That’s awesome, Hailey. I’m happy for you. I know you were stressed out about going home. Just promise you’ll relax and take lots of pictures and tell me everything when you get back.”
“Promise,” I say, zipping up my bag. “What about you? Any plans while you’ll be back home?”
“Just hanging out with my parents,” she says. “I’m sure I’ll catch up with some of our friends but that’s about it. My mom is trying to rope me into going to her law office Friendsgiving dinner but since I’m not their friend I’m trying to bail on that.”
“Yeah. I don’t blame you for not wanting to go.”
She leans up and dusts the crumbs off of her pajamas. “I think I’m going to tell my parents I’m changing my major.” .”
My hands freeze on the phone cord I was tying up. “Oh my god! Kels! Are you serious? You’re really going to do it?” I ask her in shock.
She nods slowly. “Yep. I’ve given it a lot of thought. I’ve talked with a lot of the people in the drama department and all of them agree that I have something. I could feel it when I was up on that stage. I felt… alive. And I’m not willing to let that feeling go. I’m not willing to trade something that I think I could be good at for something that my parents have told me I would be good at for years. I love law but I’m not in love with it like I am acting.”
I drop the phone cord onto the bed and rush over to hers to hug her. “I’m so proud of you.”
Kelsey laughs through her tears. “Well I haven’t told them yet, but thanks.”
I pat her on the back trying to provide some type of comfort. Before I have a chance to say anything else there’s a knock on our door. I give her a jokingly wide-eye look before going over to the door. When I open the door, Ryan is standing there with his suitcase standing by his feet.
“Hi,” I lean forward and give him a quick peck on the lips. I move the door wide for him to walk in. He lifts my bag and puts it beside his in the hall.
“I’m only a text away if you need me,” I tell Kesley before heading toward the door with Ryan.
She waves goodbye to us before we head to the door as she shouts, “Happy Thanksgiving!”