Adam curled more into his bed and groaned.
He was hit with homesickness and didn't feel like going to class or doing anything for that matter. It had been almost three months since leaving Canada and it just felt weird not seeing his mom or dad for so long.
The distance sucked and at times he wished he could just drive to his parents place and see them for a little bit. Phone calls weren't enough. He had no idea how Drew survived the first year being away.
His phone vibrated and he knew it must be Becky as he hasn't texted her this morning. She had come over last night for just an hour before going back to her place.
Leaving his home country was a good idea as his relationship with Becky was in a great place but his family was back in Canada.
"How you feeling today?" Rico asked Adam when he entered the kitchen.
"I'm okay. Skipping classes today." Adam confessed.
He had mentioned to both Rico and Brian that he missed it back home and they both understood. Brian had transferred with him just this year and felt the same pain he felt, but he had a few family members in the state. Rico was going through his second year and still could relate to being away.
Sometimes you just needed to go back home.
A few hours later, Becky showed up to the apartment. Adam had given her a key to the apartment and to his door.
He had texted her how he was feeling and she felt bad. She didn't really know what he was going through, as she had never been apart from her family for so long. The only reason he had left was because of her.
"Baby?" She called out once opening his bedroom door just a bit. She saw his figure under the blanket and realized his was sleeping when she heard his soft snores.
A smile was on her face, as he seemed at peace.
She crawled in beside him as best as she could to not wake him.
She ran her fingers gently down his arm and sighed to herself. She was glad he was at peace now, but when he wakes up she knew he would be sad once more. She didn't know he would struggle with being so far away from his family and blames herself for his sadness.
The body next to hers began to shift as her nails now ran along his bicep. His arm stretched out over her as if subconsciously he knew she was there. Looking at him now, she couldn't help but think of how she can't completely blame herself.
He chose to be here to be with her. They made each other happy and she would help him in any way possible to cheer him up.
::
"Ah, ha! Told you I could win!"
Becky cheered and poked her boyfriend's arm. Adam smiled and sighed as his girlfriend had defeated him at Super Smash Bros.
"I know your tricks." She shifted to straddle her lap as the game controller was pushed aside.
They held each other's gazes as Adam spoke, "And now I know yours." He grinned and looked down to reach for her hand.
Rico walked through the door and greeted them both. He wasn't surprised to see Becky there, much so on Adam's lap. It was a regular occurrence to run into her.
"How you feeling, man?" Rico grabbed a banana and plopped down on the beanbag chair.
Adam shrugged as Becky moved off him to sit beside him. "I'll deal. I'll see them soon enough." He settled his head onto Becky's shoulder as she caressed his hair.
They soon watched television together as Becky continued to comfort her boyfriend to the best of her abilities.
::
"Why didn't you buy me a ticket?" She asked in confusion.
Adam sighed and leaned over the kitchen island. They were in her house, a rare occurrence. He had come over to tell her the news in hopes she'll react well.
Becky stared at him as he tried to reach for her hand but she pulled it away, she didn't want to be touched as a single touch could easily make her forgive him.
"I just want to be with my family, Becks. You can be with yours and I'll be with mine." Adam began to explain.
Winter break was coming up in the next week and Becky had told him beforehand that she wanted to go with him as they had never spent Christmas together in almost the four years of being together.
She squinted her eyes, not understanding. "So what? You just don't want to be around me? Is that it?"
That's all she could concur from his explanation. "No. Just, your parents said no s-"
"My parents?! Really, Adam? I'm almost 21 years old; I will do what I want to do. What's the real reason?" Becky pushed for his answer and he seemed to be sugar coating it.
He sighs and rubs the back of his neck while he continues to stay silent.
Becky doesn't tolerate it as she stands and tells him to leave if he isn't going to talk or explain anything. She walks away from him but he follows her.
"Baby, my parents are se-parating." His voice cracks as he finally says the truth. She had her back turned to him so when she faces him, she notices sadness in his face.
The same sadness he's had for the past weeks. He was homesick, his parents were calling less, and Drew was calling more often. She was missing the signs that there was something more than just missing Toronto.
"Oh my goodness, love. I'm so sorry." She approached him and pulled him in an embrace where he seemed to pull her closer as if he needed more of her. "It's okay."
It seemed like only a few seconds before he pulled away and started to pace as if everything were coming down at once. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you. They're still setting this up and they want privacy and drew and I were hoping something would change that's why we didn't tell anyone."
"That's why I didn't buy your ticket because they probably don't want guests in the house." He was lost and overwhelmed. His parents were what he had set his idea of love to be; one balances the other out and vice versa. Audra and Omar were opposites but they loved each other. Omar had come into her life after Audra left Adam's biological father, whom he never spoke about.
"First my bio dad, now Omar. So what now, will I be Adam Roberts? Oh my god that sounds so wrong." He was rambling and Becky grabbed his face to get his attention.
"Look at me. It's going to be okay" she caressed his cheeks before placing her hands on his shoulders. "It's all going to be okay. I will be there by your side if you want me or not. You'll get through this."