Page 24 of Tis The Season

I trudged home trying to hold back tears.

“Home so early, huh? Must’ve been a bust—” Anna was watching TV and cut off her rant when she looked up and saw my tear-streaked cheeks.

“What’s wrong? What happened?”

“He…he didn’t show,” I hiccupped and stumbled a bit as I tried to take off my coat.

“Didn’t show? He stood you up?” Anna ran over to wrap me in a hug. “You’re freezing. Let’s wrap you up in a blanket.”

She led me over to the couch and wrapped me up like a burrito before laying me down and snuggling in next to me. As a younger student, Anna’s scent was still suppressed so only smelling the clean blanket was heavenly.

“I don’t know. Maybe something came up? Or he got sick?”

“He should’ve let you know! Not let you waitoutsidein thefreezingweather for him!” She was working herself into a rage, and it was so soothing to see such loyalty right now.

“I don’t know what to do,” I pitifully admitted. I always knew what to do, but right now I was struggling.

“You’re going to lie here with me for a bit watching people bake unfairly perfect Christmas desserts, and then you’re going to march your butt over to his place and demand an explanation.”

“Okay,” I sighed, and cuddled against my sister, too drained to do anything except agree.

“Good, now pay attention, this week is pies.”

Two episodes and too many Christmas puns later, I was feeling more like myself. Who wouldn’t laugh at aMerry Crust-masjoke during a pie baking show? Not me!

“Okay, I’ll head over to Grant’s dorm and talk to him. I’m sure there’s a reasonable explanation. He’ll apologize, and then we’ll move past this.”

Anna gave me a look that said she wasn’t quite on board with the second half of that plan, but thankfully she kept that opinion to herself right now.

“Do you want me to go with you?” she offered instead, helping me back into my coat.

“No, I can do this. It’ll be fine. Right? Yeah, it’ll be fine.” I turned and left before my sister could reply.

While I had thawed out at home with Anna, being back in the cold so soon was more awful than usual. It was like the weather knew I was upset and joined in my misery.

I hustled to Grant’s dorm, but when I got there, his door was already ajar.

“Hello?” I offered as I slowly pushed the door further open. I was met with silence, so I stepped inside.

“Hello?” I tried again. “Grant? You here?” Again, nothing. When I walked around the corner to his bedroom, I was shocked to find it trashed. His mattress was askew, and his bed was missing sheets. Drawers were open and empty.

What on earth had happened here?

Chapter Nineteen

Iwalkedbackoutinto the hallway and noticed Hunter was locking up a few doors down.

“Hunter! Hey!” I hollered. He looked up, surprised to see me and then glanced between me and Grant’s open door.

“Hey, Mia... What’s up?” His hesitancy was immediately unnerving.

“Have you seen Grant?” I pointed back into his dorm. “This seems odd.”

He looked around me to peek inside.

“Yeah... He, um, well. He left...”

“He left? What does that mean? All his stuff is gone! You mean, he left school?” I could hear the angry panic rising in my voice, but couldn’t help it. He was being evasive, and I needed answers. Thankfully he seemed to sense his own danger and started giving me answers.

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