Chapter Fourteen
Going back to schoolwas harder than Reagan would have expected. Grant had spent all day Thursday cooking the food he’d picked up earlier in the week. Reagan helped where she could, but she wasn’t as good at it as he was, and neither of them would let Luna near the kitchen since she was their guest. There was a turkey breast, potatoes and gravy, rolls, green beans, cranberry sauce made from scratch, and store-bought pies for dessert. Though Grant was an excellent cook, he couldn't bake for shit.
Friday was spent doing laundry and going through the last of Reagan’s belongings. She didn't think she needed to bring anything else to school, but she ended up taking a few t-shirts she liked to sleep in, one of which was Grant’s. It had holes in it and he’d been about to throw it out when she stopped him. She’d forgotten about its existence, but it was one of her favorites. Then, she and Luna hit up a few stores after lunch and picked up a handful of Christmas gifts.
It reminded Reagan that she still wanted to get a job. Her meager savings was starting to dwindle, and she already felt like she freeloaded off of Davis. He insisted on paying whenever they did anything and grew indignant when she tried to turn him down. Still, she paid her own car insurance and gas, plus buying her personal products. She was about to be broke.
Saturday was spent cuddled on the big couch watching Christmas movies. They talked a lot when there was nothing on the television. Grant was interested in Luna’s stories about her internship, especially since he could pick her brain about what it would be like when Reagan got far enough into school to do the same thing. Grant talked a little about his job, but he wasn't as comfortable talking when the subject revolved around him. Sunday was hard for Grant and Reagan as she prepared to leave. She had to drive for three hours and wanted time to get unpacked and prepared to go back to school on Monday. They left shortly after breakfast, and Luna was surprised to see Grant crying as he hugged Reagan.
“Take care of yourself, do you hear me?” His voice was gruff and even deeper than usual.
“You have to do the same, you know.” She sniffed and buried her head further into his chest. He was practically strangling her with his death grip around her back, but she didn't care. She hated to let him go.
“I do, I promise.”
“You work and don't have any fun,” she accused him. “Date somebody, fall in love. Make me an aunt.”
“Watch your mouth.”
She laughed.
“I love you, Ray.”
“I love you, big brother. I’ll see you in less than a month.”
He looked up at Luna. “Are you going home for Christmas? You're more than welcome here.”
Reagan pulled away from him to look at Luna, and she held her arms out to her friend. Luna joined them for a threeway hug.
“I’ll go home,” she said as she pulled away. “I haven't seen my parents since the summer. I’ve been saving up for the trip.”
“Okay.” Reagan wiped her face. “We really should go.”
Now Reagan sat in Hudson's class feeling devastated. She hated being back there in that place. She missed Grant, she missed his hugs, and she missed the time they’d spent with Luna. She wasn't happy to be in Hudson’s class while she looked like shit. Her eyes were red and there were circles underneath them. He, of course, looked good enough to eat. He hadn't shaved his face in a few weeks and the beard he grew occasionally was back. She shivered as she thought of that beard and how it had felt against her sensitive skin.
They were heading into final exams and spent most of the classes in the month of December going over the exam subjects. Reagan knew she would do fine, especially in his class, but she was overall unprepared. She felt like she was out of sorts, unfocused and easily distracted. She chalked it up to missing her brother, but Luna told her she was acting like she was lovesick.
“I thought you said there wasn’t anybody in your life.”
“Why would you say that?” Reagan looked up from her spot on Davis’s couch where they had been studying for the past hour.
“You’re mooning over someone. You need to get laid.”
“Youneed to get laid.”
“Yeah, you know I'm right, especially since you’re so sensitive about the subject. Who is it?”
“Luna, leave her be,” Davis spoke up. When she saw him for the first time after coming back, Reagan had been surprised to discover how much she missed him.
“Ugh, can we drop it?” Reagan frowned as she attempted to look back down at her notes. Of course, Davis knew who her crush was, but he’d promised never to tell Luna.
“You know who it is!” Luna accused Davis.
“Nope.” He kept his head down as he pretended to read a book, but Luna knew him too well. She was hurt that he knew, but Reagan hadn't felt like she could share it with her.
“Okay, fine.” Reagan slammed her book closed. “If I tell you, no judging, and then can we eat? I’m tired of studying.”
“Fine by me,” Davis said. “As a matter of fact, I’ll go order pizza while the two of you talk.”
