Jen stood there a moment, watching the boy shiver slightly from the chill. 'Only in a t-shirt and jeans. And yet he still can't out-run the cold.' He clutched the packaged goods closer to himself.
"Look, do you need a jacket or directions to Roth's house or what? You do know it's 20-some degrees right now, right?"
He laughed good-naturedly. "Yeah, the chill's getting to be a bit much. If I could just borrow your phone really quick to call for a r-r-ride."
"The land-line is right there down the hall." "Thanks."
...
"So, any reason why you're spending Christmas alone?" He fumbled with the ribbon on the tin some more, clearly nervous. Jen wasn't sure if he was making conversation to be polite or because his ride wasn't going to be there for the next twenty minutes.
But here he was, track star Wally West, shifting anxiously in her living room. The foot tapping, the glances as he took in the small living room he stood in. 'It's no wonder that kids thought he was ADHD in middle school.'
She shrugged in reply eventually, taking one of the candy canes out of a jar. The immaculate coffee table was decorated to a tee, just like the rest of the house.
"The old parent trap, telling Mom I'm with Dad, and Dad I'm with Mom. It helps when your parents aren't even on speaking terms with each other..."
His lips made a small 'oh' in understanding as he finally took a seat next to her.
"Thanks again for letting me stay.. Uh, if you want- I mean you don't have to but- you should think about coming to the party with me. It's at Grayson's place, and there'll be loads of people from school there! And-"
"Thanks for the offer, but... I'd really rather not. I've never exactly gotten along with Roth, or particularly cared for anyone she's been friends with." She began shifting away from him, trying to give him all the visual cues that this wasn't something she wanted to talk about.
"What, because of some stupid rivalry between you two?"
Evidently, he was as dense as he was fast.
"It's none of your business, for one thing! And for another, I was doing just fine before you came knocking on my door."
"Alright, sure, fine." He lifted his hands up, as if saying 'I surrender'. "But no one should be spending the holidays alone. And not that it's any of my business, but I think everyone could use some new friends for Christmas. Or at least the New Year."
He smiled wide as her face flushed with anger, what he confused for a blush instead.
Outside a car horn blared, and within seconds he was grabbing her hand.
"Time to call a truce, and start meeting new people!"
...
Merry Christmas, one and all! Whipped up this little drabble for my tumblr secret santa: lillilgirl. (actually considering continuing it b/c the holidays/exams left me short on time, and i have this whole thing mapped out in head... actually y'know I'm totally gonna do it. just give me time, this thing is gonna be fleshed out! eventually!)
until then, everyone have a happy holiday! and god bless!