The First Cut is the Deepest

That same day during lunch, Chris turned to me and asked me a question.

"What are you doing for half term?" he asked. I stared at him blankly.

"Excuse me, what?" I asked and he laughed.

"You have no idea what I'm talking about, do you?" I shook my head and took a bite of my food.

"Nope. Not a clue."

"Okay, well, each school year is split up in three terms; Autumn Term, Spring Term, and Summer Term," he started. "Are you following so far?" I nodded.

"Yup. Go on."

"So there's a break between each term, but there's also half terms in each term. That half term is about a week of break."

"Ohh! That totally makes sense now what was written in the pamphlet for this school!" I exclaimed with a nod.

"Now, that you understand what it is, what are you doing for half-term?" he asked again. I shrugged.

"I don't know. Maybe I'll go back to California and visit my family. When is it?"

"It's half of the last week of this month and half of the first week of next month, November."

"Huh. It's October this month, so it'll be Halloween when I'm with my family. Sweet! I'm gonna go trick-or-treating with my brother!" I said excitedly. Chris laughed. And I swear I heard Will call me a child under his breath. I ignored that and asked Chris a question. "So when does the half term start then?"

"Well, it's starts today actually. Today is Friday, the 28th, and the last school day before the half term. And it ends the 4th of November, Friday. So we start school again on the 7th, counting the weekend."

"What?! Why didn't you tell me earlier?!" I said as I choked on my food. "If I want to go see my family, I have to get a plane ticket. And to get a plane ticket, I have to book one." I started packing up my bag and my lunch. "I gotta go. I'll see you guys in class later, alright?" I said to the whole table before I left for the PJY room. I didn't want to go all the way back to my dorm room just to go online.

After spending the rest of my lunch time on the computer trying to find a plane ticket, I finally found one. I pulled out my debit card and paid for the ticket online. I finished just in time as the bell rang. I finished up what I was doing and made my way to class.



When I got back to the room after class ended for the day, I pulled out my suitcase and got straight to packing. Throughout the day, I made mental notes of what I had to pack.

"Packing already?" Will asked. I nodded.

"Yup. I found a ticket during lunch. My flight leaves tonight," I said.

"Tonight?" Will questioned in surprise. "Why so soon?"

"It was the only one available so late notice. Plus, all the flights I saw were too late and they were full," I explained. Will nodded in understanding. "Oh, that reminds me, what are you doing for half term?" He shrugged.

"I don't know. Maybe spend some time with Annabella, you know."

"Oh, I see. Spend some time with her and do a little... something, something," I said with a wink as I packed more of my clothes. I saw Will blush. I don't know if I should have been thinking this, but it was actually kind of cute. Not Will doing the dirty and such, but the blush that just crept up on his face.

"Shut up," Will said.

"Why? Because it's true?" I asked with a laugh.

"At least I'm getting some," he said.

"It's not my fault I'm not easy," I replied. He hummed at me. I shook my head as I checked the time on my alarm clock. "Oh shoot. I was planning on buying some things at the store to bring back with me. Do you think Chris will give me a ride to the store?" I asked Will. He shrugged.

"Why wouldn't he? He likes you. He'd do anything for you."

"Oh, shut it. Why do you keep saying that? Are you just jealous that I spend more time with Chris than you?" I said with another laugh. He scoffed.

"Yeah right. As if I would be jealous of you," he said.

I laughed again and called Chris. He said he would gladly give me a ride to the store. I finished packing up all my things by the time Chris came to my room to pick me up. I kept in mind to leave room for the things I was going to bring back to California with me.



We spent about an hour and a half in town, just buying a bunch of things for my mom, my little brother and Erin. After we were done shopping, Chris drove us back to the dorms. He walked me to my room, carrying the bags of things I bought. I told him he didn't need to carry them, but he insisted, so I just let him. I opened my room door and held the door open for him, but he didn't budge forward.

"Aren't you coming in?" I asked and he shook his head.

"Nah. I have to go now. You're not the only one going to visit family tonight," he said with a smile as he handed me my bags. "I have to drive down to see my mum and dad tonight. They're expecting me." I nodded. "I'm sorry I can't give you a ride to the airport though."

"It's okay. I'll find a way there," I said with a smile. "So I guess I won't see you then until half term is over, huh?" I asked. This time, he nodded. I smiled at him and pulled him down for a hug. "Well then, have a safe drive and I'll see you in a week," I finished as I pulled away.

"Have a safe flight, okay?" Chris had a genuinely concerned look on his face. I smiled again.

"I will." Just when I thought he would turn to leave, he looked to the floor and then back to me. He leaned in and planted a quick kiss on my left cheek. I blushed as soon as his lips made contact with my skin.

"See you in a week," he said before he quickly rushed off to the elevator. I was momentarily stunned for a few seconds before I finally composed myself and closed the door. As soon as the door was closed, I heard someone clear their throat. I quickly shut my eyes in embarrassment.

"That was quite a show," Will said from behind me. I took a deep breath and opened my eyes. I turned around to see Will in the kitchen, eating ice cream from a bowl.

"Shut it," I said as I walked over to my bed and tossed my bags onto it.

"I didn't know Chris had it in him. That was pretty gutsy of him."

"Oh, be quiet. Stop making fun of him."

"I'm not making fun of him. I'm... commemorating his courage."

"His courage for what?"

"The courage to even kiss that cheek of yours." I rolled my eyes at him.

"Same old Will," I said as I packed up the rest of my things in my suitcase. I glanced at the clock. It was about time to head over to the airport for my flight. "Hey, Will?"

"What?" he asked.

"Do you want to do me the biggest favor ever?" I said. He narrowed his eyes at me.

"No," he replied simply.

"Come on! Please! I'll owe you one!" He glared at me one more time before he replied.

"What is it?"

"Can you give me a ride to the airport?" I asked, a hopeful look on my face.

"You gotta be kidding me..." he muttered as he finished up his ice cream and put the empty bowl in the sink.

"Please! The sooner you take me to the airport, the sooner I'm out of your hair. I'll be gone for a whole week," I said as I tried to convince him. By the looks of it, it was working.

"A week does sound good..." he started quietly as he thought. I smiled and nodded energetically.

"Yeah, and technically, it's more than a week if you're counting the weekend," I said. He stuck his tongue in his cheek as he thought about it.

"Fine," he finally said.

"Yay!" I cheered, jumping up and down.

"You better be ready to go now then."

"I am!" I grabbed my suitcase and my carry-on bag. I was all set. I was planning on picking up my plane ticket there.

"Fine. Let's go," he said as he grabbed his car keys. I dragged my suitcase to the elevator, my carry-on bag on my shoulder, and then to the parking garage to Will's car. Of course, he didn't help me, because he was a douche. That was another story though. I heaved my stuff into the trunk and then we headed off to the airport. "Do you have your passport?" I stared at him for a few seconds, thinking. I quickly checked my bag.

"Found it!" I exclaimed. Will cringed.

"Okay, don't yell," he said as he covered his left ear.



We got to the airport half an hour later. As I was grabbing my stuff from his trunk, I was having a bit of trouble. An older man saw me struggle and scolded Will.

"Ey, why aren't you helping out your girlfriend? I can tell that you know she's having trouble," the man said in a thick Irish accent. Both Will and I looked at each other in utter surprise.

"She's not my girlfriend," Will quickly said as he waved his hands in front of him. "Never in my life would I date... that," he said in disgust. I glared at Will before I faced the man.

"It doesn't matter, sonny. You should still help a girl out," the man said. Will sighed before he reluctantly helped me grab my things. "That a boy," the man said before he continued on his way.

"Wow. You won't even help a girl out unless some guy tells you to? You're such an asshole," I said. He glared at me before harshly dropping my suitcase onto the floor. I glared back at him and picked up my suitcase. I glanced at the airport behind me. "Well, here's the airport," I said stupidly. He rolled his eyes and went back to the driver's side to get back into his car. "Wait!" I called out before he got back into his car.

"What?" he asked.

"Aren't you going to say goodbye? I mean, I'm gone for more than a week," I said.

"So? Why does it matter?"

"It's polite, that's why it matters. Like I said, I'm gonna be gone for more than a week. You should be happy. The least you could do is say bye or some sort of farewell." He stared blankly at me before he got into his car. I stomped my foot on the ground before I turned around and stalked off towards the airport.

"Hey, yankee," I heard from behind me. I looked back and saw Will halfway out of his car. "Have a safe trip," he said with a small smile. I smiled back at him.

"I'll see you in a week," I said. "Have fun without me," I said with a laugh. He got back into his car with a chuckle. I turned back around and entered the airport, my luggage dragging behind me.



After about ten hours and forty minutes on the plane, I finally arrived back in California at around nine in the morning. I decided to surprise my mom and little brother, so I called Erin to pick me up. After about an hour of waiting at the airport for Erin, she finally arrived. She quickly got out of her car and hugged me.

"Oh my gosh! Nicole! It's so good to see you! Why didn't you tell me you were on your way earlier? I would have been already waiting for you here!" We pulled away from each other and I smiled at her.

"I wanted it to be a surprise. So... Surprise!" I exclaimed. Erin laughed.

"Come on, let's get you home. You must be tired from your flight." She helped me with my luggage and then she drove me home. On the way there, we just talked about my time in England and everything. I told her that not only was Will and I getting along quite fine, but Chris also liked me more than a friend. She nearly crashed the car when she heard that. "Whoa, whoa, whoa," she said as she swerved the car back into our own lane. "What did you just say?"

"Uh..." I started. "Chris likes me more than a friend?" I asked more than stated.

"Wow!" she exclaimed. "You've only been gone for about two months and you already have a new best friend and a guy liking you at the same time!" I laughed. After a few more minutes, we finally arrived at my house. "You're staying to hang out, right?" I asked Erin. She nodded.

"Of course," she replied. She helped me with my luggage and we made our way to the front door of my house. I rang the doorbell and waited a few seconds. I heard the shuffling of feet before the door opened.

"Hi, mom!" I exclaimed. My mom jumped backed in surprise, her eyes wide.

"Nicole! What are you doing here?" she asked in shock.

"I'm here on half term break and I wanted to surprise you guys," I said as I pulled her into a hug. She hugged me back.

"Eric is going to be so happy you're here. He's upstairs, trying on his Halloween costume." I nodded. Both Erin and I entered the house, my luggage dragging behind us. "I'm cooking right now, so I need to head back into the kitchen. It's so great to see you, honey," she said as she pulled me into another tight hug.

"It's good to see you too, mom," I replied.

"Eric, honey, can you come down for a minute?" my mom called before she disappeared into the kitchen. I heard loud thumps and a pirate clad Eric bouncing down the stairs. His big eyes grew even bigger when he saw me.

"Nicole!" he exclaimed. I bent down and he jumped into my arms. "What are you doing here?" he asked loudly. I pulled away from him and looked at him.

"I came to see you, of course," I said with a pinch of his nose. "And why are you in your costume already? Halloween isn't for another two days."

"I wanted to see how I looked!"

"Well, you look great," I said with a smile. "Guess what?"

"What?" he asked.

"I brought back candy and chocolate from England." He jumped up excitedly.

"I want! I want!" he said as he jumped up and down.

"Okay, let's go to the living room, so I can give them to you." I dragged my luggage behind me while Eric grabbed my hand and led me to the living room. I set my luggage on the floor and took out the candy and chocolate. I gave some to him and told him to give the other half to mom so she could keep it for later. "Don't eat all of it at one time, alright? Halloween is coming up and you're going to get lots of candy already." He ran away with his candy and I heard his light footsteps head in the direction of the kitchen where my mom was. Erin walked into the room and she sat next to me on the couch. "Here. I brought you stuff too." I gave Erin her share of things.

"Sweet! Chocolate!" she exclaimed while she ripped it open and ate it. "Thanks!" she said as she hugged me and ate her chocolate.

"No problem," I said with a smile.

"So what are you doing for Halloween? You don't have a costume, do you?"

"Oh shit. I don't."

"And you're going to go trick-or-treating with Eric, aren't you?"

"I am."

"You're screwed."

"I know," I said with a sigh. I made my way upstairs to my room, Erin trailing behind me. I looked through my closet at all the clothes I left behind. I threw some articles of clothing onto my bed, trying to throw something together. I saw an old red and white striped shirt that I used two years ago for Halloween. "Well, I guess I'm going as Where's Waldo again," I said with a laugh.

"Wow," Erin muttered as she laid down on my bed.



And so, I spent Halloween with my little brother and mom going trick-or-treating. And a tip if you're a teenager and you still go trick-or-treating: take a kid with you and you'll get more candy. A handy tip, I'm telling you. Before I knew it though, the small break with my family was over and I was back at the airport to get back to England.

"Don't go," Eric begged as he and my mom dropped me off at the airport.

"Aw, but I have to. I have to go to school," I said as I bent down to his level.

"Go to school here!" he exclaimed. I pursed my lips before I replied. I thought of what to say. I couldn't possibly say that the reason why I wanted to do schooling in England was because I wanted to get away from the people here in California. High school here in California was horrible. The people in it, they were vicious. They were mean. They were teenagers. They had no mercy. For all the years I had been in school, there was always that certain person who hurt me. Who hurt me so bad, I went overboard. As high school began, it only got worse. Jason was one of the many people who came to my mind when I thought of people who have hurt me and who I wanted to get away from. And even though he moved to England, I knew that he couldn't hurt me again. I finally opened my mouth to speak.

"I can't," I said. "You remember how I told you that education is very important?"

"Yeah?" Eric said. I glanced up at my mom. She nodded encouragingly.

"Well, England is good for my education," I said. "Do you understand that?"

"No..." he muttered. I smiled at him.

"Eric, let's just say that going to school in England makes me really happy. And like I said, I like learning there. But that doesn't mean I don't miss you or mom here. I always will. Maybe one day though you can visit me there."

"Really?"

"Of course. I'll buy you a bunch of chocolate." Eric's lips broke out into a huge grin.

"Promise?" he held out his pinky finger. I entwined my pinky finger with his.

"Promise." I hugged him before I stood back up. I hugged my mom next. "I'll visit again as soon as I can, okay?"

"Don't spend too much money though," she said as we pulled away from each other. I laughed at that.

"I'll try." I grabbed my luggage and made my way inside the airport. After a few steps, I turned around and waved at them. "Bye. I love you guys," I said with a small smile.

"Bye. We love you too, honey," my mom said.

"I love you, Nicole! Bye!" Eric waved wildly. I smiled again and turned back around and continued walking.



As I sat in my seat on the airplane, I thought about my family. Spending a week with them really made me realize how much I missed them. And leaving them again just made it harder to go. I know they missed me too, especially Eric. He was practically crying that I was leaving again. I wasn't lying when I told Eric that being in England made me happy though. Schooling there has possibly made me happier than when I was here. I wanted to go back to England, but I still wanted to stay here for a bit longer. I never noticed how much I missed my family until this little trip.

I sighed as we started take-off. I knew though that going to school there instead of here was better for me. It was better for my emotional health.