"So how was winter break with Henry?" Isabelle asked, settling on the couch with coffee in hand.
"It was… awkward?" she said. Both girls gaped at her. That was not the answer they were expecting.
"Cause his family was around?" Kristin asked.
"No, it wasn't because of them. It was weird between us, after the kiss at the dance things just haven't been as easy as I expected."
They arrived at the house two days before Christmas. His neighborhood was different than hers, instead of houses separated by fields of open land it was more of the typical suburban setting. A few kids were attempting to build a snowman down the street. His mother rushed out to greet them, excited to finally meet the mysterious Elizabeth.
"Everyone is still at school," she informed them as they entered.
"Enjoy the quiet while you can." Henry whispered in her ear.
"I heard that!" His mother called back. His cheeks flushed. "Elizabeth, do you prefer Elizabeth?"
"Yes, that's fine."
"I have Maureen and Erin's room all set up for you."
Henry took their bags upstairs and showed her the way. He stopped at a door she assumed was his sisters' room. Unless he slept in a bright green room with posters of boybands on his wall. "I'll let you settle in while I put my stuff away."
She wondered down the hall a few minutes later in search for Henry. She leaned against his doorway, taking a minute to watch himunpack. His room was a lot like his dorm, simple and clean a contrast to Shane's side which contained piles of clothes on his floor and bed, Star Wars posters on the walls and action figures on his desk.
Pushing off the doorframe, her footsteps alerted him to her presence.
"You have everything you need?" he asked, keeping her in his line of vision while he put the last of his things away
She nodded. "So do you-?"
"We should head downstairs," he cut in, sliding past him. "Mom will come looking for us soon."
"Did it get any better during the trip?"
"A little bit. It wasn't like that every time we were together. Most of the time it was fun and easy just like it was before but then whenever there was a moment it was awkward."
"Maybe you guys are better off as friends." Kristin said, earning a glare from Isabelle. "Don't get mad at me, we're all thinking it."
Elizabeth groaned, her head falling into her hands. Kristin was right she was thinking it. She thought the transition from friends to more would be the same except they could kiss when they want. She already trusted Henry more than anyone else and couldn't imagine life without him. Isn't that what a boyfriend was supposed to be?
"Don't listen to her. You and Henry are prefect together, everyone thinks so."
She followed him down to the living room.
"Oh there you two are. I just about to come ask if you two wanted to help bake cookies."
They exchanged smirks.
"We would love to but I have to warn you I don't have the best track record in the kitchen."
"Oh don't worry about that sweetie I'm sure you'll be just fine."
They each had their own bowl for making a different kind of cookie. Mary made snickerdoodles, Henry had chocolate chip and Elizabeth opted for sugar cookies, thinking they would be the hardest to mess up. Mary stepped out of the room to answer the phone.
"Um babe… I don't think this is right." She held up the spoon, the runny dough falling right off. He laughed, getting a glare in return that turned into a pout when he couldn't stop laughing.
"Don't laugh! I told you I would mess this up."
He stepped into her space, "I'm sorry. Here, all you have do is add some more of the dry ingredients."
Henry opened the bag, sending flour everywhere. Elizabeth reached out, "You have something right here," her finger left a print in the flour on his cheek.
They slowly leaned in, their eyes locked and lips met, soft and quick. The kiss naturally ended, and they stood there for a moment, eyes locked as a million feelings and questions brewed up inside her but before she could say anything he stepped away and went back to baking.
"That doesn't sound awkward at all! It sounds adorable."
Kristin rolled her eyes, "Geez your life is like a some rom-com movie. You and Henry will be fine."
"As long as his family doesn't poison him about me," Elizabeth muttered
"What does that mean?"
"Maureen."
Maureen wasn't quite openly hostile but it was clear she did not like her. Elizabeth felt her gaze from across the room, silently watching as she talked to Erin about horses and if Will picked on Elizabeth as much as Shane picks on her.
"Dad, this is Elizabeth; Elizabeth this is my dad."
"It's nice to meet you Mr. McCord."
Patrick met her extended hand while looking down at her, his eyes scanning from head to toe."Nice to meet you too." He turned to Henry, "So this is the girl from Thanksgiving?"
"Patrick." His mom warned
"Didn't mean anything by it, just asking my son a question."
"Let's sit down, dinner's ready."
"So, Elizabeth tell us about yourself."
"Grew up on a ranch in Virginia and have an older brother named Will."
"Your family doesn't miss you this holiday?" Maureen questioned.
"Well, my brother is pre-med so he's off at some internship and my parents have passed."
"Oh Elizabeth, I'm so sorry." She gave Maureen a pointed look. "We had no idea."
She smiled, not knowing what to say; this is one reason she didn't like telling people. They were always sorry but it wasn't their fault. Henry started the conversation again asking if Shane watched the latest game.
"I doubt they hate you."
She looked directly at her friends, "I overheard Maureen calling me Queen Elizabeth."
"I can think of a few names for that…"
"Did anyone ever tell you how feisty you get with too much coffee?" Elizabeth teased, making Isabelle laugh.
Kristin rolled her eyes, "You know you love me."
"Sometimes I wonder why…"
Kristin threw the couch pillow square at Elizabeth's face. "Oh shut up."
A shadow appeared in the doorway, Elizabeth knew instantly who is was.
"What are you doing here?"
"Yeah it's girl's day, no boys allowed."
Elizabeth and Isabelle rolled their eyes at Kristin. "Ignore her, she's had too much caffeine."
"Do you two mind if I steal her for a minute?"
At their nods her reached for her hand and led her away.
"What's going on that brain of yours?" she asked.
"I'm sorry about break."
She shrugs it off or something. "Nothing to be sorry for."
"Yes there is. It wasn't how I imagined it would be."
"You pictured what it was going to be like?"
"Yeah, I thought we would have more time together and that it wouldn't be so…"
"Awkward?"
"Yeah. I'm also sorry about Maureen."
"She's protective of you I understand that. If Will ever kept a girlfriend long enough for me to meet I would want to make sure she's worth him."
"You would be a lot nicer about it." Henry grinned, "Girlfriend?"
"What?"
"You called yourself my girlfriend, is that what we are now?"
"Well...uh I just…do you want to be my boyfriend?"
He stopped walking, wrapped his arms around her waist pulling her against him and kissed her. "Nothing would make me happier."
"Me too."
A/N: For Alison, you reviewed on guest so I can't reply directly. I would love to write the story you requested but it will be a little bit before I can get to it. Again thanks for everyone's comments!
