Hey I know you won't get this for another few days but I hope

you have a safe flight :)

I've been talking to Ryan a lot since the halloween party, turns out he isn't nearly as nasty as his sister. He travels for the holidays so contact has stopped because of lack of cell service but I want to have a nice message to come back to.

I should send something similar to Troy to wish him a safe drive back from the ski lodge but I don't think I am quiet up to hearing about his conquests today.

Zeke and Jason are practically the only other people who stay in town for winter break, but at least that means I got to kick ass at Mario Kart. It only gets a little chilly so I've been able to work on free throws, but all in all I am bored.

I am, though I will deny it if asked, excited for school to start again. I miss my friends and basketball practice.

Thank you! I actually flew back early to get a real

vacation of being alone for a day or two :D

Oh. I shouldn't care one way or the other. There's no obligation for him to tell me that he's back. I can't help wondering how long he's been back though, it stings a little to think he didn't let me know.

Cool.

I have a gift for you actually.

A gift?

Yeah. I can drop it off if you want.

Yeah sure. I didn't get you anything though.

No worries, I'll be there in a few.

Ryan got me a gift? Ryan got me a gift. Why would he have gotten me a gift? Should I have gotten him a gift? I should have, huh? I would say we are friends, friends get friends gifts. Why didn't I think to get him a gift?

The knock on the door pulls me out of my own head.

"That was quick," I say, opening the door to Ryan holding a wrapped box.

"Not much traffic, turns twenty minutes in ten," he hands me the box and we stand there awkwardly for a moment.

"Do you want to come in?" I step out of the doorway to make room for him to come through.

"Oh, uh, sure, am I okay parked on the street?" He looks out at his car.

"Yeah, totally, even if not we can see it from my window." I point towards the wide window in the living room. It's only view is the street.

"Okay." he nods and steps into the entryway, "but only because I want to see you open it."

We sit in the living room, Ryan right on the edge of the couch and me in the recliner.

His smile makes me feel more at ease, he seems excited. I start pulling off the wrapping paper and know immediately by the box,"A basketball?"

"Yeah, I know you carry one, like, everywhere and it looks so old and grey. Now you have one that you can be sure won't pop when you bounce it." He looks embarrassed, or maybe worried that he insulted my ball.

"Thank you." I don't think I could have picked something out for him that would be as fitting. "Really."

He smiles like a little kid, clearly proud of himself.

"Do you want anything to drink?" I say realizing I didn't offer him anything when he first came in, and now I definitely owe him something "I make a killer cocoa."

"That sounds amazing actually." He pops up off the couch and I lead the way into the kitchen.

"Before I start you need to know this is the only thing I can cook that isn't microwaved so I take it very seriously." Ryan nods, clearly trying to look serious over his smile.

"First thing, real milk," I walk him through each step, he stands next to me watching intently. I can't tell if he really cares or if he's just humouring me. When I turn to make sure he understands the reason for the coffee he looks like he is blushing. It must just be from being so close to the heat of the stove.

Pouring the steaming liquid carefully into cups I make sure it's high enough to add some bubbles but not high enough to splash onto either of us.

"Do you like peppermint?" he looks at me quizzically then nods.

"As long as it is sweet, if it's too spicy I don't" something about that answer is so adorably Ryan, but I can't analyze it too long or the cocoa will get cold. I reach into the cabinet above me and pull out two intact candy canes, carefully unwrapping each to not break the hook.

"This is what really makes it," placing one in each mug and finishing off with exactly six mini marshmallows.

Ryan picks his mug up with both hands bringing it carefully to his lips. "You didn't lie, this really is killer."

"Are you saying that because it definitely burned your tongue and killed your singing career?" He laughs, careful not to jostle the cup. His laugh is soft and short, like it snuck out of him before he could stop it.

I smile and we head back to the living room, this time taking seats on opposite ends of the couch. Ryan sinks back into this time instead of hovering on edge and we angle to face each other.

"I hear you guys have a big game after we get back," he takes another small sip of cocoa.

"Yeah East versus West. Everyone loves hometown rivalry." I refrain from talking too much about it. He can't be actually interested, polite small talk most likely.

"So much happens in second semester. The musical, basketball, scholastic decathlon…"

"You really know a lot about the school, huh? I didn't know half of that stuff was happening." I interrupt, it's cool that he knows so much.

"I'm always trying to recruit so I have to know when everything is in order to coax people into joining the club, auditioning, attending practice and meetings. Unfortunately drama isn't as...popular as basketball." His brow furrows as he talks about it and he sets down his drink to talk with his hands.

"That sounds really stressful," he looks at me with big eyes. I worry that maybe that isn't the right thing to say.

"I, I'm sure that basketball is super stressful too. It must feel like the whole school rides on your shoulders." He leans forward to place a hand on my arm, similar to way someone may give condolences for a loss.

"I suppose, but not nearly in the same way. You can keep venting if you want to. I really don't mind." I worry that maybe I have given him the impression that I don't care about the things he likes.

"Thank you. I don't mean to talk about it so much though. I do have other interesting things in my life." He picks his mug back up, this time blowing on the top before taking a sip. It's always sips, like he's trying to stretch it out.

"I get it, I cut myself off from basketball talk to. I don't want to bore you." I rub the back of my neck feeling slightly embarrassed.

"I promise you wouldn't bore me. I honestly like sports." I shouldn't be surprised by that. I've seen him at games, I sort of just assumed that was because his sister is crushing on Troy.

"Oh, I guess I should have just asked." He rolls his eyes at me.

"It's cool, we are all guilty of stereotyping." He smirks and shakes his head.

"Are we? What did you stereotype me as." I'm laughing but see his cheeks blush slightly and he stares down into his drink.

"I'm gonna sound so dumb." He says it almost in a huff, or maybe it's a laugh?

"No one to sound dumb for here except me." Somehow in this moment it hits me that we are completely alone in the house. My parents are both at work. That doesn't matter though right? I've had Troy over alone a million times. So why should this feel any different.

"Fine. I pegged you as a dumb jock. Mean, boring, not too bright." He scowls like his stereotype is harsh. It isn't surprising to me though. I know how I used to think about drama geeks, how some of the guys still treat the nerdy kids. Plus, if my grades are anything to go by, I'm not too bright.

"If I'm mean then give me back that cocoa." I stick my hand out making a grabbing motion.

"No." He whines and holds the mug against his chest. "I clearly don't think that way any more."

"I'm more hurt that you left out the best part of the dumb jock stereotype." I fake pout at him.

"And what's that?" He is being sarcastic but I can't lose this opportunity to make him fully blush.

"Hot." It's a small reaction at first, his cheeks getting even pinker.

"Hot," he scrunches his face like he's holding in a laugh or genuinely biting his tongue to stop from saying something.

"What am I not hot?" I pout again and he rolls eyes even harder.

"Not all jocks are hot." I catch that he didn't answer my question. He has given me a golden opportunity.

"Sure neither are all dancers." This is what gets him, his whole face turns pink and he lets out a signature Evans huff.

Once the blush fades and we are both almost done with our now cold hot chocolate Ryan remembers to glance out at his car.

"Oh! It's dark outside already." He looks down at his watch then back up to me, "Time really flies when you're having fun, It's after six."

I double check the time on the wall clock, could that much time really have passed already? He's right.

"I should probably head home, thank you so much for the cocoa. I'll see at school in a few days, yeah?" He stands up and starts to move for the door.

"Yeah absolutely." I rush over to open the door for him. "It's a little chilly out, you may want to let your heat run for a sec before you head out."

"Thanks, see you later." Ryan hugs me, not a quick side hug. His arms are fully wrapped around my chest. I drop my arm from the door and return the hug around his shoulders and squeeze gently. It probably doesn't last as long as I think, and truthfully I'm a little sad that it's ended.

He trots out to his car and I just wave at him, waiting to close the door until he is safely inside his car.

I take my seat back on the couch where I can see his car out through the window, trying my best not to stare, just making sure he gets going alright. He hasn't pulled away yet, must be running the heat.