Thanksgiving-when the whole family gets together, talks about nothing, eats a shitload of turkey and carbs, and then falls asleep and leaves you with nothing to do. You hated it when you were a little kid, now that you’re sixteen it really isn’t any better. You’ve been dreading it all week, but your mom insists you must go. “It will be fun, your cousin Cecilia will be there this time. You haven’t seen her since you were eight!” Great, you get to talk to your weirdo cousin who used to catch bugs and hand them to you.

You show up to your Aunt’s house, kiss grandma, smile at your uncle’s tired jokes and head to the table to eat. You stop short, for some unknown reason there is a smoking hot girl sitting between between Aunt Mildred and cousin Tony.

“What are you stopping for, ${name}?” your Mom says, “Oh look, I told you Cecilia would be here!”

Cecilia, the weird girl with the cowlick who used to hand you smashed beetles, has transformed into a tomboy goddess. Even wearing a loose sweatshirt over a tank top, you can tell she’s fit and stacked. She sees you and waves, you wave back awkwardly.

The meal passes quickly. You don’t really eat much, but the rest of your family is pigging out. Every once in a while you glance at Cecilia, who doesn’t eat much either.

Afterwards, you follow as the men pile into the living room to watch the game. To your surprise, Cecilia is already there, sitting between her father and another cousin. You want to talk to her but it feels awkward to just stand there, so you sit down across the room and watch the game.

After 15 minutes you hear snoring, and turn to see your uncle fast asleep next to you. You look around and everyone seems to be dozing, except Cecilia, who waves you over. You walk over and squat down next to her chair.

“Hey ${name},” she whispers, “I wanted to talk to you, but everyone kept cornering me in the same conversation, ’Oh Cecilia you’ve grown so much, blah blah blah’, so I couldn’t get a chance.”