A/N: Didn't take so long to post this (: To make up for my delay of the last chapter. Hope you guys like it.

Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot.

I just love you guys! Every time I read your reviews I either smile or laugh like a crazy person(: Thank you guys so much for the support and input!

"Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire: it is the time for home."

― Edith Sitwell

Just because that saying is valid, doesn't mean I'll be able to get exactly that. These people around me aren't my family. They're strangers to me. They don't care about my existence, they care about the food that's being served. My friendly hand isn't here, which makes this experience even worse. I wish Alex was right beside me, she'd know how to cheer me up. My only comfort right now is my sister, I'm surprised she hasn't gotten tired of me.

I don't understand why everyone's here right now, Christmas Eve is tomorrow. Can they just go away and come back on the desired time? All they do is come up to me and ask if I'm doing better, but not because they're really interested, but because they need a reason to judge me even more. If only my parents would have never informed my family about my instabilities and just kept it to themselves, maybe then I wouldn't mind them being here. There's too many hypocrites in one room, I can't take it anymore. I'm being suffocated, I need to get out.

"Hey, I'm going to take a walk outside, I'll be back." I whispered to Dallas and she nodded, handing me my coat.

I slipped out from the back entrance so I wouldn't get questioned by others. I started walking at a normal pace down the side walk, not having a specific destination. With each exhale that exits my mouth or nose, being visible to me in the cold air. Passing by the cars that are parked, you can see the frozen windows. I see myself slowly approaching a pebble on the ground and I kick it. As I was about to continue, I feel my phone vibrate in my back pocket.

Alex: "I may not always be with you, But when we're far apart, Remember you will be with me, Right inside my heart"

My dull expression immediately turns into a grin, noticing she sent me a quote from the book I was reading.

THE Alex Russo read 'Poems from the Heart'? Well isn't that a pleasant surprise

I texted back and right away got a response.

Alex: Let's not get crazy over here, I looked it up on the internet ;)

I laughed while reading it, there's the Alex I know. Just two texts and my mood was already brought up.

Me: Well aren't you a charmer? :P

Alex: I try to be. Are you already missing me?

I rolled my eyes at her response, just imagining her smirk right now.

Me: Oh yes, I'm dying from the inner yearning.

Alex: Don't get sassy with me :P you see I'll man up and admit that I've been missing you like crazy. Just cause I'm nice like that.

I'm partially happy that she's not next to me to witness the small blush that formed on my cheek while reading her small confession. Before I had the chance to reply, she sent another text.

Alex: Anyways, has anyone else walked in on you half naked? Or is it still just me ;)

Me: Haha, very funny. But no just you. Why, are you worried that someone else will be able to see all of this?

Alex: Oh yeah, extremely worried. Then I won't feel special anymore. So let's keep it that way, shall we?

Me: I don't know, how are you sure that I'm not half naked right now? And at any moment someone will just barge into the room?

Alex: … Are you really?

Me: Lex! Oh my god. LOL no!

Alex: Darn, and I was about to ask for a picture.

She responds and my eyes go wide. Oh my god this girl I swear.

Me: Ok I'm so done with this conversation right now. Moving on! LOL

Alex: Why? Am I making you nervous? ;P

I rolled my eyes again at her text, but before I had the chance to reply I bumped into someone. Making us both fall. I stood up and was about ready to apologize until my eyes fell on the girl. She was about ready to yell at me until she took notice on who I was. Her smile went into a devious grin and my eyes went bigger.

"Torres? Nice seeing you again" She starts talking and I started getting angry again, instantly I ducked my head and kept walking past her.

"Hey whore I was talking to you!" She screamed out but I kept ignoring her. I was so relieved to turn back around and not see her following me. Right when I thought my day was clearing up, I just had to bump into Tess. The girl who made everyone else bully me at my old school just because Shane rejected her. The one who severely remodeled my face when she noticed Shane left school early. Most awfully, the one who caused me to start harming myself.

"Boy get a plate! Stop digging your hands in the food" My aunt said while jokingly smacking the back of his head.

"But aunt Cher! That takes too long, Mrs. Torres' food is too delicious to just be plastered on a plastic plate" Shane whines back and my aunt rolls her eyes, handing him a plate. I laughed at the exchange of words, I loved how great him and my family got along, they always accepted him with open arms.

He served himself his portion of the food and sat down next to me. Stuffing his face with smashed sweet potatoes like it was the last bit there was. He grabbed another spoonful but instead looked at me.

"Want some?" He asks with the spoon in the air, I shake my head and he gives me an 'are-you-serious' look.

"You know you want somee! C'mon open your mouth!" He started teasing while mimicking an airplane with the spoon. I laughed and shook my head again. He kept on teasing and I knew he wasn't going to give up anytime soon. Reluctantly I opened my mouth and he fed me the food. I'm not going to lie, it did taste good. He laughed at my expression, noticing that I enjoyed my mom's cooking.

My grandpa approached us and put a hand on Shane's shoulder.

"When are you two love birds just going to start dating? You're not getting any younger" He says at both of us, but mostly towards Shane. I rolled my eyes knowing it was a waste of time if we explain to him the concept of best friends. Since he was so sure that we're going to end up together in the future. Shane turns to face me slightly and winks at me, putting his arm around me.

"I'm trying grandpa Eddy. But she's playing hard to get" Shane tells my grandpa and he just smiles happily, leaving us alone. When he departed, I punched Shane's shoulder.

"Um Ow?" He says while rubbing his shoulder. I give him a glare and he laughs.

"I was just kidding, god. You already know he wasn't going to leave if I didn't agree with him." Shane responds and I rolled my eyes laughing. I knew that both of us only saw each other as siblings, it's just that he's always giving the wrong impression to my family. And I'm the one stuck with their constant begging and teasing about me and my best friend.

"Say Ah!" Shane says and I did as I was told, to have another spoonful of sweet potatoes with melted marshmallows enter my mouth.

I was fighting myself inside, trying my best not to cry. Reminiscing my time with Shane at our Christmas party just last year. God I miss him so much, I can only imagine how the Gray's are taking it this year. I feel a hand rub my back up and down. I shift to see my sister with a sad smile, bringing me into a hug.

"It's going to be ok. I'll be right here when you need me." She whispered to me and I nodded. Soothing down a bit at her gesture. We pull away and she wipes a tear that fell from my eye.

"Go call Alex. I bet she'll cheer you up" Dallas suggested and I smiled, realizing she was right. I nodded and got up from the living room couch, grabbing my phone, and entering my use to be bedroom. Now it's just a room filled with my parent's junk that they couldn't find space for. I lock the door behind me and laid on the carpeted ground. I entered my address book on my phone and clicked on the first name on the list. Since she was the only person in my contact list who starts with the letter A, made it so much easier.

Barely three rings passed and the other line was answered.

"I knew you couldn't resist me any longer" Alex says lowly into the phone causing me to let out a giggle.

"Whatever. I'm starting to have second thoughts on whether it was the best decision to call you instead." I say into the phone and she lets out a gasp.

"Nooo! I'm sorry. Don't hang up! I've missed hearing your voice..." She says but then I hear her curse underneath her breath in a whisper.

"What happened?" I ask worriedly.

"Huh? Oh no, um I just tripped on my own feet" She said a little unsure but I decided not to question it any longer. Unintentionally I sighed into the phone looking up at the ceiling.

"How's it been?" She asks with a sad tone.

"I don't know, awful I guess. I just miss him. It's not the same without him anymore. And my family being around isn't making my situation any better." I replied and I heard her sigh into the phone too.

"I wish you were here with me." I continued honestly. Normally I wouldn't admit that to her since she'll tease me into saying it again but it just left my mouth unknowingly.

"Yeah so do I. But don't worry just a couple more days left. Just keep holding on. It's going to be alright."

I really hope both her and Dallas are right. God hopefully these days past by quicker.

"I don't think I'll be able to hold on any longer. It's killing me." I whispered into the phone.

"And it's killing me when I hear you say those things. C'mon Mitch, you are so much stronger than I am, just push past all the memories, all the hate, all the judging. And stop trying to go through it alone. You have both me and your sister right next to you. And I've already told you a million times, to call me whenever. No matter if it's cause you're feeling weak again or even if you're just bored. Call me and I'll answer, during any time of the day. Twenty-four seven." She says into the phone, and I finally let out a genuine smile.

"Thank you. I don't even want to imagine what I'd do if I didn't have you to help me."

"Good, don't ever think about that because you have me, now and for the future." She says in an honest tone.

"Forever?" I ask with a little doubt. I can't ever lose her, I just can't. No matter what.

"Forever. I promise." She whispers to me and I smile, still not knowing what to respond.

"Mitch?" She asks into the phone after the few seconds of silence.

"Yeah?"

"Merry Christmas." She simply says and I take the phone off my ear to check the time. 12:01 am. I put the phone on my ear again.

"Merry Christmas Alex." I respond and we say our goodbyes, hanging up the phone. I set my phone on my chest, smiling up at the ceiling. Then I heard a knock on my door. I get up and open it.

"Someone dropped off a present for you on the doorsteps" Dallas said while handing me the gift. I nod and take it inside, while Dallas goes back to the living room. I have no idea who would actually give me a present and leave it outside. I tear the wrapping paper off to find a box. I open it up and see a note on top, I remove it and see what's inside.

I felt my heart drop and another tear escape my eye. I rip the envelope open to read the note inside.

Merry Christmas Whore. Next time don't ignore me.

-Tess

I rip the paper in half and throw it on the floor. I looked back down at the box. It was a stuffed animal, more specifically a pig. With make-up covering it's face insultingly. And a small Halloween grave stone with R.I.P scratched out, next to it. I grab the box and throw it on the other side of the room.

I'm done. I'm so freaking done. I open my bedroom door and walk out, trying to find Dallas. I spot her and pull her out of the crowded room.

"What's up?" She asks me curiously.

"I need your help on something. And you're the best person to go to."

First cliffhanger for this story, oh my god. I promise I'll try not to make a habit of it like my last story(;

Leave your inputs below, please(:

Anyone enjoy the conversations between Alex and Mitchie?

Spoiler: Alex starts deepening herself into the stage of confusion and with Mitchie coming back, it's just going to get worse(; Skipping ahead to where both girls come back to school. Things from now on, are going to be very interesting. Lol

Any predictions on what Mitchie needs help on? HM...