The Decuplets

Christmas Eve Party 1 - Ella

Ella

Christmas Eve party 1

The party was Max's idea, but Scarlett and I were beyond excited, so naturally we were in charge of basically everything. We have the best taste after all. The only thing the boys agreed to do was the invitation list because they have a ton of friends and wanted them all there.

We spent a lot of time putting up the decor and went for a more classy route. No streamers or cheesy "Merry Christmas" banner. We opted for wreathes, garlands, and of course a sprig of mistletoe. For food, we made white cupcakes with fake holly berries and bought cranberry wine. Max wanted red cranberry vodka, so we let him add that detail. Our living room was gorgeous save the ugly but funny ornaments of the trees, but we compromised with the boys and added gold and red shiny ones.

When guests poured in, Scarlett and I were splitting a cupcake and discussing the night in whispers.

"What about Josh? You can't kiss him under the mistletoe in front of your brothers."

Scarlett bit her lip and furrowed her eyebrows. "Yeah, I know. But I really want to kiss him, so I don't know what I'm going to do about that. What about you? Are you going to kiss Zach under the mistletoe?" She said with a big smile.

"I don't know. I really want to just get our first kiss out of the way so we can finally be an actual thing, but I don't know if here in front of everyone is a good plan. Like, what if we have no spark and everyone sees? Or what if we have too much chemistry, and we just want to go upstairs and fuck in the middle of the party??"

"You're overthinking it. If it's the right time, you'll know. Seriously, don't sweat it."

"Okay, you're right. Let's go party!" We clinked wine glasses together and spun on our heels to go join everyone else.

I got caught up in a conversation with Fiona, who seemingly only wanted to talk about Gage and Parker. "What's going on with them? Are you still friends?"

"Well, no. We had a big falling out when we all went to the Hamptons. It was terrible, like, straight out of a movie."

"What happened?"

"Scarlett's brothers showed up, but then we just slept there for the night and kicked Gage out."

"How about you and Cam? Is there anything still there?"

"Definitely not. There was only anything there when I was drunk or sad or both."

"Well, do you have anyone else you want?"

My face flamed up. "No, not at all! What about you?" I asked, desperate to change the subject.

Her face mirrored mine. "Not in the slightest." She paused. "Well, I can't share yet. You'll know soon, I'm sure."

I was sick of this conversation. It was like we weren't real friends, just two girls who wanted information from one another. My brain became dead set on one thing: Zach. I had to find him. Even in a crowded room, he was the only person I wanted to talk to.

I wove through the sea of people, on the hunt for blonde hair. On my path, Reece pulled me aside. "Ella, I have to tell you some good news!"

Reece and I hadn't been getting along for a couple months, so I was completely confused at his excitement at seeing me. What could he possibly want?

"Yeah? What is it?" I asked, doubtful and impatient.

"It's about Zach. He told me what he's getting you for Christmas, and I wanted to make sure you would react well because I could totally tell him not to do it." Was that a smirk on his face?

"Alright, what is it?"

"A promise ring."

The words shook me to my very core. I knew he liked me, but he wanted me to know that he intends to marry me? Of course I wanted to get married—I've liked him for forever. But I didn't think he had liked me for more than six months.

We haven't even kissed! What am I supposed to do with this information? "Um," I felt frozen. "Thanks for telling me, I guess. I don't know how I would've reacted."

"So you do or do not want it?"

"Don't get me wrong, I want it! But I never thought...it just feels very sudden, don't you think it does?"

"I can't disagree. Listen, Ella, I'll tell him no," he said as he turned around.

I grabbed his arm. "No! Don't tell him that. If he wants to do that, I am more than happy to receive a ring. Thanks for telling me."

"No problem, Ella. Anything for my future sister in law," he said with a wink before getting lost again in the crowd.

Okay. Back to Zach.

After a couple more minutes, I spotted him. He was talking to Ollie, but he didn't look particularly interested.

"Hey Zach!" As soon as I approached, Ollie awkwardly backed up and left. Does everyone really know?

"Hey, El, what's up?" I loved how happy he looked to see me.

"Oh nothing, I just wanted to see you. Take a walk with me?"

"Of course."

We walked and talked about nothing for a while until the most mortifying moment of my life occurred. We ended up under the mistletoe. I tried to distract him, move us away, but he was far too into the story he was telling to move. "Yeah, but that's how we can tell Noah is so jealous that Ava is into Clay and not him. I swear, sometimes my brothers act so stupid when it comes to girls. There are so many fish in the sea, why argue?"

Suddenly he noticed it. I was freaking out, but he remained completely relaxed. "Ella, may I—"

"I totally forgot! I left cookies in the oven!"

He looked shocked and disappointed. "Okay, I'll come with you to check on them."

"Yes! You should totally go, but you really, really don't have to come. It might take a sec; I have to wait for them to cool and everything, and I think you should just go enjoy the party."

"No, there's really no one else I want to talk to. Just you," he said as he tapped me on the nose.

"Okay, then let's go."

By the absolute grace of God, there were actually cookies in the oven. Scarlett must've put them in earlier. "Wow. Here they are."

Zach gave me a quizzical look. "Yep, here they are."

We let the cookies cool off before each taking one. I laughed, asking, "Remember when Reece threw cookies at me on Thanksgiving."

"Yeah, that was hilarious. And now there's only one cookie." He took a bite as he wiggled his eyebrows.

"Mhm. Which cookie is the question," I teased.

"I have my suspicions."

Eventually we had to rejoin everyone else, and somewhere in the room I lost him.

I can't wait for tomorrow.