Our First First Christmas

2- Warming Up

After several hours of further unpacking and making myself comfortable in the spare room, I emerge out into the living area again. I missed it here. Taking my time to soak it all in, I wander around the house, stopping to stare at the Christmas tree. I inspect all the decorations and ornaments, most of them the ones I've collected over the years. It's one of my stupid little hobbies, buying too many ornaments for the tree. They're all special to me, though. I missed not being able to add more while I was away. Suddenly remembering, I return to my room, bringing out a small ornament I couldn't stop myself from buying during my first Christmas away from home. It's shaped like a snow globe, a tiny city scape of New York City encompassed in the glass. The base of the snow globe reads I<3NYC, which is super cheesy, but I love it anyways. The ball doesn't have any water in it, but there is loose snow inside for the admirer to shake. I hang it next to a cardboard reindeer Nick made when he was around ten years old. It's terribly ugly, the bright green scarf sticking straight out and way too much glue visible under the googly eyes, but I guess that's what makes up the charm of most family Christmas ornaments.

"That's cute." I jump, clutching my heart as I turn around to see Ophelia. "You scared me!"

"Shh." She plants a finger to my lips.

"Is everyone sleeping already?" I glance around, just now noticing that the house was pretty silent. Almost all the lights are off, except the Christmas lights and the kitchen, and the light illuminating from the fireplace.

"I think so." She drops her finger and turns to the kitchen. "Wait here."

I sit down on the couch with my legs up, and in a few minutes she returns to the living room with two mugs in her hands. I bend my legs closer to me to give her room to sit on the other small cushion.

"How's it feel to be back after being in that big city for almost three years?"

"It hasn't been the greatest so far- Nick's been giving me the cold shoulder." She hands me one of the mugs, and I set it down on a coaster on the coffee table because it's too hot to drink. "I just want him back. I missed him a lot. I still do."

"Does he know that? Did you tell him that? It probably looks like you didn't miss him at all while you were at college since you never came back to visit. He probably feels kicked to the curb. I was actually really surprised at Nick's reaction when you came in. I thought he was just bitter because he missed you. I thought he'd cheer right up the moment he saw you."

"Well, actually... we had a little bit of a falling out the night before I left." Lia's wide eyes search me, waiting for me to elaborate. I clear my throat. She's so nosy. "Nick told me that he- he liked me. And it didn't end too well."

Her eyes light up. "He already realized it three years ago and this whole time I didn't even know?"

"Huh?" Nick appears from the dark hallway, his hair dark and wet from the shower, a pair of prescription glasses I've never seen before low on the bridge of his nose. They suit him, the thin black plastic frames fitting his oval face shape oddly well. Dare I say he looks even better with them on. A sinking feeling settles at the bottom of my stomach. Since when has he needed glasses?

"Oh, Nick. Perfect timing." Lia hands him her mug, his hands flying out of his sweatshirt pocket to catch it before she inevitably let go. "You can have mine, I'm going to bed now."

"But I was-"

"Sit down," Lia pushes him down onto the couch next to me with a hand on his head. "And keep watch of the fire for me."

"What is this, though-?" Nick motions to the mug in his hand, the thick tan liquid almost sloshing out over the edge.

"It's mama's secret hot eggnog recipe." She grins ear to ear. Her face is almost terrifying in the shadows made by the fire's flickering light. She disappears into the dark hallway and Nick and I are left in silence.