Just learned how to make GIFs :)

I hated Thanksgiving. I liked all the food, but that's where it ended. To tell the truth, I didn't have much to be thankful for. Sure, I had a home, and food on the table every day, and a warm bed to sleep in at night, and I know that's more than what some people have, but there's also a lot that other people have that I don't.

Like a family who loves me.

I've asked my friends before if I could stay over at their house for Thanksgiving break, but they would always wave me off and say, "Thanksgiving is a time to spend with your family."

The Friday before Thanksgiving break, I asked around again, and got the same answers I did every year. But one thing was different. I wasn't the only one who didn't seem to want to go home.

"Why do you two look so upset?" I asked Tam and Linh when we were out of earshot from the others. My heart raced. Was I not alone?

"What do you mean?" Tam asked.

"You just look... sad," I clarified.

Tam fidgeted with his sleeves. "Well, uh-" Linh put a hand on is arm.

"So do you," she observed.

I looked at the floor. "Yeah. I know."

"Why?"

"It's... it's personal. You wouldn't understand."

"Actually," Tam said. "I think we would."

I looked up. "You would?"

He offered half a smile. "Yeah. I think so. But I won't know for sure until you tell us."

I took a deep breath. I rarely shared this information with anyone. I trusted Tam and Linh, but they were still new, and what if they ran off telling the whole school? In one long sigh, I let the breath out. It was a risk I would have to take.

"I was a mistake. My parents didn't want any kids, and then I came along. They had to keep me, or risk losing their precious reputations. But they didn't have to love me. Last year my mom got arrested. She was accused of murder and found guilty. And my dad... I swear my dad doesn't even have feelings. I just hate having to spend all this extra time with him. Normally I'd just go over to a friend's house or something, but they're always all 'Spend Thanksgiving with your family'. I'm sorry, please don't turn this into a pity party," I begged. "I don't tell people these things for a reason."

Tam shook his head. "Do any of us have normal lives?" he asked no one in particular. Then he turned back to me. "I understand. And so does Linh." She nodded sadly. Tam bit his lip like he was thinking really hard, and then pulled me into a one-armed bro-hug thing. I hugged him back.

When we broke apart, we just stared at each other for a few seconds. Tam broke the silence by saying, "Well, I need to get to my bus. Bye Keefe."

Just before him and Linh turned to leave, I said, "Oh, Tam?" He looked up at me and I grinned. "That hug thing? Never do that again." He laughed, and I laughed, and Linh laughed, and then they left.

For the first Thanksgiving in years, I realized I had something to be thankful for.