AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I was late for brunch!” It’s a more pitiful excuse saying it aloud now.
“Why didn’t you bring him?” she asks.
I blush and glance towards Kaidan. “Because he’d be upset, and you know it.”
Mom follows my gaze to my brother, and she laughs. “Kaidan? He might fake gag, but he’s grown more than you know. He’d get over it. Honey, you can’t let something that little deter you from love.”
“Really?” Tears make my vision blurry.
Mom wraps me up in a warm hug. “Besides, your brother’s dealt with having a hot sister is whole life, you know he probably expected this to happen sometime, and when it comes to his friends, you picked the right one.”
I cry-laugh and have to drink a full glass of water to find my nerve again. “But how do I fix this? I screwed up by leaving like I did.”
Her eyes twinkle. “You’re a bright girl. You’ll figure it out but maybe conquer your obstacle first?” She nods towards Kaidan.
I finish off my mimosa and stand abruptly, the chairs screeching and there’s no need to tink-tink-tink on a glass to get everyone’s attention.
“Kaidan,” I address him directly. I’m going to puke. “I’m dating Briar,” I say instead of vomiting.
His face scrunches and he looks like he’s going to be as sick as I feel. “That’s why you were at the ice rink yesterday!”
“You two are so cute together,” Kelsea squeals, clapping her hands excitedly. “Kaidan, we can double date!”
Kaidan turns pale. “Jordan, I can accept this, but only if you promise no double dates. I don’t want to see you kissing.”
The table erupts with laughter and my anxiety, this fictional worry I had, evaporates.
“Where are you going?” Mom shouts after me as I grab my things.
“To make things merry and right!” I shout as I exit the restaurant.
* * *
Briar
I was here yesterday, but after this morning I need some good cheer.
However, the bright lights aren’t doing me any good. They light the path, but they also show off the people around me, taking the sights in with more glee than I do. Couples kiss and cuddle before lighted houses and I’m a ball of moody glumness.
I almost expect people to point out I make a great Grinch addition to any display.
My tour ends at the infamous red house. The one like Santa, the one where Jordan kissed me. No alcohol needed. But she certainly seemed to regret it in the end anyway.
I sigh and turn my gaze from the sidewalk to the Saint Nick home and cock my head to the side.
Odd, they don’t usually change once the lights are all up. But the fat man’s belt is gone and the gold buckle lights have been reshaped into cursive writing.
IM SORRY
I look around but no one else is paying it any mind, the words not for them. In bright white more lights flicker onto the roof.
IM SORRY BRIAR
Okay, this can’t be real. Is Santa apologizing to me for a shit Christmas turn out?
Was I supposed to get everything I asked for this year? I asked for some sort of signal from Jordan, so I’d go for it for a few years now. I thought I got my wish.
I step closer, onto the lawn of the display, rubbing my eyes to be sure I’m seeing this right. There’s no way it’s me?
