Age 6: Sled

Ryan packed slowly and sadly. His parents had told him and Sharpay a few days ago that they would be going to their aunt and uncle's log cabin in Montana for the christmas holiday before the twins had to be back at school. The twins had never been, but their parents promised that it was a nice place, and that their uncle had already decorated the cabin for their arrival, and had lots of presents for the twins. It was an understatement that Ryan didn't wanna go. For every year since he could remember, he had spent Christmas with his best friend, Kelsi, and he didn't know how he could enjoy Christmas if she wasn't there. He looked up when the bed he was sitting on depressed.
"Honey, haven't you packed yet?" Asked his mom, looking at what he had already packed. There were a few shirts, and pairs of shorts, and she laughed. "Honey, it'll be too cold for any of those. You want help packing?"
"Don't care." He muttered, arms crossed. "Not going."
"Come on Ryan, you have to go we're all going, now pick out what sweaters you want to take."
"No!" He said, stomping his foot on the floor.
"Ryan, now please." Said his mom, more sternly now. Ryan sighed and nodded, heading to his wardrobe to pick out the sweaters that Kelsi and her mom had bought him for his birthday.

Slowly, Ryan followed his mom out to the car, as she put his little suitcase in the back of the family car along with everyone elses suitcases. Ryan rolled his eyes when he saw there were two pink suitcases in the car, both obviously Sharpay's, who had been planning on a song and dance routine she and Ryan would perform for their aunt and uncle when they got there. There was another larger suitcase, and Ryan figured that his parents had put the presents in there for them and their aunt and uncle. Climbing into the car, Sharpay almost instantly started talking at him.
"Ryan we have to practise our songs! Daddy put our CD in the car so we can practise all the way there! Did you know it's a seventeen hour drive! Think of how much practise we'll get done! Daddy can you put the CD on now!" Sharpay bounced up and down in her seat with excitement as the engine started, and the car started moving. Their dad laughed.
"Not yet, princess. Mommy and Daddy just have to pick something up and then we'll be on our way." A few minutes later, the car stopped, and their mom got out.
"Why have we stopped daddy?" Asked Ryan, looking out the window confused.
"Like I said, just have to pick something up. Now move up, you've gotta make room in the back." Winked their dad. Confused, Ryan shuffled over closer to Sharpay.
"Daddy, why--" He grinned as a pair of arms wrapped themselves around his neck from behind.
"Surprise!" Squeaked a voice, and he quickly turned his body around to hug Kelsi back.
"Kelsi! What are you and your mommy doing here!" He asked, as Miss Nielsen got into the car as well.
"Well sweetheart, we knew you wouldn't enjoy yourself if Kelsi wasn't there, so we thought we'd invite her and her mom along too." Smiled his mom, getting back in the car.
"Thanks for picking up our luggage earlier on, Derby. Saved a lot of time." Said Miss Nielsen, strapping herself and Kelsi in. "Kelsi's so excited."
"Mom you're making me blush." Said Kelsi shyly. She looked over, and waved at Sharpay. "Hey Sharpay..."
"...Hmph." Was all the blonde said, tossing her hair, and turning to face the window.

After a long drive, the car slowly pulled up outside a log cabin, covered in snow, and two people were standing outside the door, waving at them. As soon as the car stopped, Sharpay jumped out of the car.
"Sharpay slow down, it's slippery!" Warned her mom, jumping out of the car after her before she fell and hurt herself. Ryan waited for Kelsi and her mom to get out of the car first, before going over to his aunt and uncle with Kelsi.
"Hey Uncle Tom, Aunt Lisa." Smiled Ryan, hugging them both. "This is my friend, Kelsi."
"Hi." She squeaked, embaressed.
"Aw we know all about Kelsi, sweetheart." Laughed Aunt Lisa. "Your mom and dad are always telling us about you and your little girlfriend!"
"Girlfriend? Ewww. No! Kelsi's....Kelsi. Girlfriends are gross." Ryan nodded to himself. Uncle Tom laughed at Ryan.
"Well girlfriend or not, we're really pleased to finally meet you, Kelsi." He said, and Kelsi smiled in thanks, before her and Ryan went and helped their parents unload the car.

The next day, while Sharpay was dancing to her stereo in her and Kelsi's room, Kelsi crept out to find Ryan in the lounge area.
"Watcha doing?" She asked, sitting next to him.
"I'm bored!" He announced, sighing.
"Me too. Sharpay makes my head her." Decided Kelsi, giving herself a little nod. "We can go outside!"
"Mommy said it's too cold." Sighed Ryan.
"But we can put our coats and scarfs and hats on." Said Kelsi, pulling Ryan to his feet. "Let's go!" The front door was an easy latch to open, and pushing it open, Ryan and Kelsi started walking around the outside of the cabin finding something to do.
"It's too cold, I wanna go inside!" Said Ryan, turning to go inside. Secretely, he was feeling a little scared about being outside, and worrying his parents when they didnt know where he was, but he didn't want to say anything that would make Kelsi scared too.
"No, look!" Kelsi pointed to a shed at the back of the cabin, where there lay a small wooden sled. Ryan and Kelsi walked over and looked at it. "What is it?" Kelsi asked.
"Santa puts his toys on there and the reindeer pull it. That's how he delivers presents." He explained. Looking at it for a second, he pulled on the rope at the front of it, until it came loose from the pile of junk it was under. "You sit on it Kelsi!"
"What? Why?" Asked Kelsi, confused.
"Sit on it and you'll see!" Smiled Ryan, excitedly. Shrugging, Kelsi sat on it. Grabbing onto the rope, Ryan tugged on it until the sled and Kelsi were on slippery snow. Then, he kept pulling, pulling Kelsi along the snow. She giggled.
"This is fun! We can pretend I'm a princess and this is my carriage! Wee!" She laughed as Ryan picked up speed.
"Ryan! Kelsi! Where are you!" Ryan and Kelsi both froze at hearing the frantic voice of Mrs Evans.
"...We're in trouble." Gulped Kelsi, and Ryan nodded, and taking her gloved hand, he led her round to the front of the cabin.
"We're here! I'm sorry mommy!" Said Ryan. Derby quickly scooped Ryan up in her arms, and hugged him tight.
"Don't you dare do that to me again, I was worried sick!" She scolded. "Kelsi, you'd better go inside, your moms really upset." Kelsi nodded, and rushed inside.

For the rest of the christmas season, Kelsi and Ryan weren't allowed to play outside, and they were made to help Sharpay put on a Christmas Show just like she wanted to. But looking back, Ryan never regretted it, as long as it made Kelsi feel like a princess.