As Thanksgiving approached, the campus of Kent Madison College quieted down. Most students had already made plans to leave, heading home or visiting friends for the long weekend. The usual flurry of activity between lectures had slowed, leaving behind an eerie silence that Ella found both peaceful and unsettling.
She had a lot on her plate—assignments for her pharmacy course were piling up, and she felt it was best to stay on campus and get ahead with her studies. But as the days went by, she began to feel the weight of the loneliness settling in.
On a Tuesday evening, Ella was hunched over her desk, books scattered around her, when her phone buzzed, pulling her out of her work. She glanced at the screen. It was Leo.
"Hey Ella, heading back home for the break. What are you up to?"
Ella hesitated for a moment, fingers hovering over her keyboard before replying. "Staying on campus. Too much work to do."
Leo's message came quickly. "If you change your mind, you're welcome to come to London with me. It's going to be a quiet holiday, but I'd love for you to meet my family."
Ella blinked, her stomach doing a little flip. She wasn't sure what to make of the invitation. Leo was sweet, and she'd been enjoying their time together, but spending the holiday with his family felt like a big step. She thought for a moment, biting her lip.
Before she could reply, her roommate, Tessa, came in with a bag of takeout. Tessa, the one who always seemed to know how to make everything seem less complicated, dropped the bag on her desk.
"You've got that look on your face," Tessa said, grinning as she sat on her bed. "What's going on?"
Ella glanced at her phone and then back at Tessa. "Leo invited me to spend Thanksgiving with him and his family."
Tessa raised her eyebrows. "Really? And you're just sitting here? Ella, you've been eyeing him since you met. This is your chance to make something happen."
Ella chuckled nervously. "I don't know, Tess It feels a bit... much. I mean, meeting his family on Thanksgiving?"
"Exactly!" Tessa said with excitement. "You're not going to get another shot like this. Ella, go for it. It'll be a great way to see how he really feels. Plus, it's a holiday. You need a break."
Ella bit her lip, feeling torn. The thought of spending Thanksgiving with Leo's family was both thrilling and terrifying. She had been enjoying their time together but wasn't sure if she was ready to take that leap.
"You really think I should go?" Ella asked.
"I think you'd be silly not to," Tessa said with a wink. "I mean, if you don't go, you might regret it. This is a step, but it's also a chance to get closer."
Ella hesitated. She was about to type a response to Leo when a sudden memory from earlier that week popped into her mind. The incident at the café—a brief moment of tension between Leo and Chloe—made her pause. Chloe had been acting distant, throwing Ella glances that made her wonder if there was more between her and Leo than he was letting on.
It wasn't much, but it made Ella uneasy, even if she tried to brush it off. After all, Leo had been kind and attentive toward her, and she couldn't imagine him getting caught up in anything with someone like Chloe, who was clearly a bit... possessive.
Tessa noticed Ella's hesitation and leaned forward, giving her a knowing look. "Still thinking about the café incident?"
Ella's gaze flickered to her phone. "I guess... It's just that Chloe thing. I don't know. It felt weird, you know?"
Tessa eyes narrowed. "Yeah, I noticed. But Leo doesn't seem like the type to entertain anyone else when he's with you. Don't let it mess with your head."
Ella smiled weakly, grateful for Tessa's reassurance. "You're probably right."
After a deep breath, Ella finally made up her mind. She sent a text to Leo. "Okay, I'll come with you."
The message was sent, and almost immediately, Leo's response came back, full of enthusiasm. "Awesome! I'll pick you up at the station Friday."
Ella smiled to herself, excitement and nervousness swirling inside her. She couldn't back out now.
The days leading up to Friday passed in a blur of final assignments and study sessions. Ella and Sophie spent late nights reviewing notes and trying to wrap their heads around their coursework, though Ella's mind often wandered to the upcoming trip. Would it be awkward? What would Leo's family think of her?
On the day of departure, Ella found herself standing at the station with her suitcase in hand, her heart pounding in her chest. She had texted Leo to let him know she was there, and within minutes, he arrived. The sight of him calmed her nerves a little.
"Hey, ready to go?" Leo asked, his smile warm as ever. He looked effortlessly handsome, as always, in a casual jacket and jeans.
Ella nodded, trying to mask her anxiety. "Yeah, let's do this."
---
The train ride to London was smooth, and they spent most of it chatting about their plans for the break. Leo talked about his family with affection—his mum and dad were both lively and caring, and his younger brother, Tom, was a bit of a troublemaker, but he clearly adored him.
"Are you sure I'm not intruding on family time?" Ella asked, feeling a little uncertain as they approached the station.
"Not at all," Leo reassured her, flashing a grin. "My family's going to love you. They've heard all about you already."
Ella smiled nervously. "That's a lot of pressure."
"You'll be fine," Leo said with confidence. "Just be yourself."
---
Upon arriving in London, Ella was struck by how different it felt compared to Kent Madison. The pace of the city was faster, and as they made their way to Leo's home, the hustle and bustle of the streets became a distant hum. His family's house was nestled in a quiet part of the city, far from the crowded center.
When they arrived, Leo's mum, Rachel, greeted them at the door. She was warm and inviting, her smile genuine. "Ella, it's so good to finally meet you!" She gave Ella a friendly hug, which instantly put Ella at ease.
Leo's dad, Martin, was in the kitchen, preparing something for dinner. He greeted Ella with a firm handshake and a hearty laugh, making her feel welcome immediately. Tom, Leo's younger brother, was a bit of a handful but quickly warmed up to Ella, teasing her about her accent and asking all sorts of questions about her life at Kent Madison.
Dinner was an affair full of stories and laughter, and Ella soon found herself relaxed in the company of Leo's family. It was different from the intense and competitive atmosphere of Kent Madison College, but in a way, it was comforting. There was something about the way Leo's family interacted with one another that made Ella feel like she was part of something bigger, even if it was just for the weekend.
---
Later that evening, after dinner, Leo took Ella outside to get some fresh air. The chill of the London evening hit her skin, but it was refreshing.
"Feeling alright?" Leo asked, hands stuffed in his pockets.
"Yeah," Ella said, a smile tugging at her lips. "Your family's lovely."
"I'm glad you think so," Leo replied, his expression softening. "I wasn't sure what you'd think, but I know my mum especially was looking forward to meeting you."
Ella met his gaze, warmth filling her chest. "I'm glad I came."
Leo stepped closer, and Ella's heart raced as their eyes locked. There was something between them, something more than just friendship, but neither of them had fully acknowledged it. As the night went on, Ella couldn't help but feel like this was the start of something deeper.