The TV roared, in our room and next door. Steph's snoring could peel the paint off the walls, I threw the blankets back and swung my legs out of bed. I tip-toed around Steph's bed and quietly opened the door to the boy's room.
Jeff was sitting on the edge of his bed pulling his shoes on. Matt was asleep in his bed, his blankets only covering his legs. His feet stuck out and his snoring was loud and obnoxious. Stephanie and Matt were made for each other. They can live together and their horrid snoring will cancel each other out.
Shannon was sleeping in the other bed, his face buried in the pillows. I smiled at the sight. The only time those boys are innocent is when they're sleeping.
Jeff looked up and gave me a crooked smile.
There's something about him that makes me weak at the knees. Maybe it's the amount of charisma he possesses or the way he always finds a way to make me smile. But I like it.
Jeff stood up, he was in his pajamas, as was I. He laced his fingers with mine then we snuck out of the room, careful not to make a noise.
The air was quiet except for the humming of vehicles passing on the highway. We walked out to the pool. It was midnight and the full moon reflected in the pool water. Jeff sat down on a deck chair then pulled me down between his legs. I rested my back against his chest.
He wrapped his arms around my waist and sighed.
"Can I ask you something?" He asked quietly.
"Anything." I said as I ran my hands up and down his arms.
"What happened to your parents? Shan' wont even talk about it."
I took a deep breath, "When we were sixteen, well I was sixteen. Shannon was twenty-two and Steph was twenty three, our parents died. They drank themselves to death. We went countless Christmases, birthdays the whole ten yards, with out anything. They spent all our money on beer and drugs. That's why I don't drink but I think it's why Steph and Shan' do drink."
"Oh, I see."
"You don't have to feel bad for me or any of us. We're making it good now."
"I know, I didn't plan on it." He said before he kissed the back of my neck.
I shivered, "Good."
A loud bang sounded through the house. I immediately turned around, tearing my gaze from the TV. Jeff snatched the remote out of my hand. He changed the channel from A Christmas Story.
The front door swung open and my parents walked in. Dad had a carton of cigarettes under one arm and Mom had a 24 pack of beer in one hand and a cigarette hanging out of her mouth.
Shannon's face was expressionless. He dropped the plate of cookies and it shattered into a million pieces, sending Christmas cookies flying across the floor.
Steph came running out of her room, Matt close behind.
"Merry fucking Christmas kids." Dad said then threw the cigarettes at Shannon. His face almost lit up, until he remembered none of us smoke.
"Dad?" Steph asked, he turned around.
"What baby?" He asked.
She almost smiled, "None of us smoke."
He laughed, his laugh wasn't a 'Oh, I'm stupid!' laugh it was a 'You dumbass.' laugh. I swallowed hard.
"You should start. Cause that's all you're getting." He said, Mom sat the beer down then they both left.
Jeff patted my knee.
"That's why I don't drink. I don't want to end up like them."
Jeff sighed, "I'm sorry."
"Don't worry about it." I said and started towards the motel.
Shannon came running to the pool, Matt was close behind him.
"Next time you fucking fart on me, fatass, I'm gonna kill you!" Matt yelled.
Shannon just laughed, "You gotta fart, you gotta fart."