I clean up nice! I always knew I could if I wanted to, and was prepared to do just that before I was rudely kidnapped into another universe. But, considering the fact that this is a holiday spent with friends, I make the attempt to look nice. So I've put on my cleanest pair of dark jeans, found the one deep blue blouse I own, and even cleaned the dust and specks of mud off my boots. (And mom always badgered me to look presentable whenever we had special family dinners. I can't spend Thanksgiving with her, but I guess still feel close to her in this small way.)

I wasn't lying to Bitty when I said I prepared myself for the meal, and I'm so glad I haven't eaten anything but a bag of chips and a chocolate bar all day. It did sort of backfire a bit when I showed up early to lend a hand with setting the table; I swear the smell of all that food nearly turned me into a ravenous Thanksgiving Zombie or soemthing. It was close.

Heaping my plate with a little bit of everything, I dig into everything with gusto, stuffing my face as I listen to the conversations filling up the bar. There are so many people here, more than I thought, and I'm glad Derek has so many friends. Being surrounded by familiar faces and some strangers makes for one less lonely day, and puts my homesickness at bay for the night.