The drive back to California went much better than the drive to Louisiana. Dennis, the day before the women were to leave, had gotten them to sit down and write out a schedule of who would drive, who would sleep, and what music would be played.
Keeping strictly to the new itinerary, they managed to make it to the Bocheks' home with fifteen minutes left in 2014. The Katsaros family had arrived the previous morning, and the Bocheks would be returning in another week.
Upon entering the house, Odessa found herself being smothered by Maria's warm arms.
"Welcome home!" the Greek woman cried, hugging Odessa so tightly that she felt herself being lifted an inch or two off of the floor.
Behind her, John let out a loud guffaw.
"Maria, don't strangle the poor girl!"
Laughing, Maria released her before turning to Jamie.
"Greek Mom!" Jamie cried.
"American Daughter!" Maria pressed Jamie into her bosom. "κουνελακι!"
"Koony… what?"
"It means little rabbit." John gave Odessa a one-armed hug, laughing. "Welcome home, kid."
"Thank you." Odessa smiled up at the Greek giant. "Happy almost New Year."
"Where's Mark?" Jamie wriggled out of Maria's grasp.
"He went to bed already. Wasn't feeling too hot." John shrugged. "We're watching Times Square in the living room. Join us?"
Odessa glanced at Jamie, who shook her head.
"I'm actually gonna hit the hay. Long ass drive." Jamie smiled apologetically. "You three have fun."
"Oh…" Odessa watched as Jamie headed upstairs. "Actually, maybe I'll go to bed, too…"
"Nah, you should enjoy yourself, Dess." Jamie waved her off. "Night. Happy New Year."
"Good night, little rabbit!" Maria called, frowning as she looked at Odessa. "What's wrong with her?"
Odessa shrugged.
"I don't know. She seemed fine on the way here."
That wasn't entirely true. Odessa did have some idea what was going on in her friend's head.
They'd had quite a discussion on the drive back.
Odessa had been dwelling on her dream ever since that night, the image of Jamie straddling her hips continuously in her mind. She'd tried to force it away, but she couldn't help it. She found herself not speaking as much to Jamie, feeling as if Jamie knew about the dream, that she could see it when she looked at her.
At night, while Jamie cuddled up next to her, Odessa felt like she was doing something dirty. She would stare down at the little redhead, her face hot as she replayed the dream over and over in her mind. She felt like such a pervert, having such provocative images in her head! Jamie was her best friend! Why would she ever think up something like that?
During the drive, however, the awkward silence became too much.
"Jamie?" Odessa had turned to the younger woman, whose eyes were fixed on the road.
"Yeah, Dess?"
"I want to… I want to talk to you."
"Okay. We're talking."
"No, I mean… about the mistletoe."
Jamie sighed.
"Dess, nothing really happened. My family was just fucking around."
"I know, but… I…" Odessa sighed. "I had a dream."
"A dream?"
"Afterwards. I dreamt that we… we were, you know, actually…"
"Dess, come on. Seriously?"
"I just don't understand why it happened."
"My family's a bunch of assholes!"
"No, not that. I thought the, er, incident itself was sweet. They really care about you!"
"Then what's wrong?"
"I don't understand why I can't stop thinking about it. I keep seeing the dream, over and over."
"Dess." Jamie reached over and squeezed her friend's knee. "It was just a dream."
"I know, but…"
"No buts, Dess. Nothing's gonna happen. It was just a dream."
"So, you don't… you don't think we'll ever actually, you know…"
"As much as I'd like to, no."
"You'd like to?"
Jamie's cheeks went pink.
"We're being honest, here, right?"
"Yes."
"Okay. Well, look… Odessa, I think you are… beautiful. I will admit that I do have a tiny… tiny crush on you. Okay?"
Odessa nodded.
"Alright…"
"But I'm not stupid. I know you're straight, and I know that's never gonna change. So… I have no, um, illusions about any sort of… seducing."
Odessa couldn't help but chuckle at the thought of Jamie attempting to seduce her. Nothing about the little thing even hinted at "seductress".
"But even if you were into, um, ladies…" Jamie continued, her eyes fixed determinedly ahead. "I still wouldn't try anything."
"No?"
"No. That would fuck up whatever relationship we already have, don't you think?"
"I suppose."
"And I'd rather have you as a friend than not have you at all."
Odessa smiled slightly, nodding.
"Alright."
"Okay?"
"So, I'm just being stupid?"
"Not stupid, just… you're just overthinking it." She shot the Russian a crooked grin. "Besides, you couldn't keep up with me if you tried."
The rest of the ride had been quiet, but not as awkward as Odessa had feared. Her mind had been put at ease. However, watching her friend shuffling upstairs, Odessa felt a twinge of worry. Was Jamie as calm as she seemed?
Odessa had just sat down next to Maria and John on the couch to watch the ball drop on television when a shriek from upstairs made her spine go cold.
(AN: Story isn't dead! Author just had a lot of schoolwork! Psych majors know no rest! XD)