Chloe's face lit up brighter than all of the twinkling lights she'd set up around the treehouse. Her eyes sparkled a delightful dance of wonder. She slowly and carefully lifted up her new necklace to get a better look, to see it twinkle in the lights, to fully appreciate every angle. It was beautiful.
"If you don't like it, I-I can take it back and get a different one. I really don't mind, I just-" Frankie babbled nervously. She hated not knowing, hated waiting, hated putting herself out there. Chloe cut her off with a tackling hug, one that squeezed her ribs and left her breathless on the cold floor.
"I love it! Thank you, Frankie."
"Are you sure?"
Chloe kissed her cheek and got back in her nook of pillows. "Positive. It's beautiful, just like you."
"I'm glad you like it." Frankie hoped her blush would be mistaken as the pink you got from being out in the cold. Sure they were in the old treehouse they once helped build, the widen floor covered in blankets and pillows, their hot breath and candy cane hot chocolates heating the air, but it was still dead of winter and well below zero. Rosie cheeks would bound to happen, the fact that it appeared just after a hug, kiss, and compliment meant nothing.
"Can you help me?" The shorter girl asked, holding out necklace. Frankie got on her knees and took the chilled silver, waiting for her friend to sweep her hair from her neck. She swallowed hard as she gently wrapped it around Chloe's delicate neck, her skin was soft and warm. She fumbled a bit but she managed to clip it on.
"There." Frankie patted the closed clasp and but her lip as Chloe released her hair.
"Thank you." Chloe was so sincere that it took Frankie's breath away.
She cleared her throat and sat back in her seat, taking a large sip of her hot chocolate. "Where's mine?"
Chloe pulled a perfectly wrapped box out from her backpack. "It's really lame compared to what you gave me, so please keep in mind that I plan on making up for it."
"I'm sure it can't be lamer than the magnet Gail got me." Frankie assured her best friend.
"That is a fabulous magnet." Chloe berated with a smile.
"Do I look the fabulous type?" She raised a brow and took the offered gift.
"Always." The shorter girl winked.
Frankie shook her head and willed herself not to giggle, Frankie Anderson didn't giggle. She occupied herself by ripping the neatly folded paper, smiling at the Frosty paper, until she got to a white box. She opened the box and pulled out a mug. A handmade mug, one Chloe must have done in her ceramics class, it was a little lopsided and not the prettiest thing she's ever seen but it was perfect. It was white with blue snowflakes, the handle made to look like a candy cane, and on the side facing away from her read 'Cranky Pants' in a failed attempt at fleece pajamma pants.
"It's perfect." Frankie smiled brightly at the smaller girl. "Thank you."
Chloe blushed a deep red, which made fireflies swim around Frankie's stomach with how adorable she looked. She knew she was in deep, that there was no more denying her feelings for Chloe, they'd grown too much to ignore anymore. "Merry Christmas, Cranky."
"Merry Christmas, Muppet." She would tell her one day, Frankie promised herself. One day they might do just what they were doing, but surrounded by a life they'd built together.
