Sincerely, Jonah

Chapter 13

On the walk back from the festival, my phone buzzes. I open it to see a post Fin just uploaded. It's a slideshow with lots of videos of him hugging his cousins, sunset views, selfires, and a video of them all singing happy birthday to his Aunt. A big birthday cake sat in front of her with 2 candles that each read 3 and 8. I smile and comment two heart emojis, and a "Tell them I said hi!"

Seeing Fin with his family makes me happy. Knowing that there's people who love him and accept him for who he is makes me happy. He likes my comment a few minutes later.

Turns out that big bottle of wine is for Dad. We get home and walk through the door, taking off our coats and boots.
I'm assuming he's going to get the stove started for some tea like he usually does before bed, but instead he just tells me goodnight and walks into his room, the bottle in his hand.

I stand there still by the door, confused as I hang up my jacket. "What about the tea?" I asked before he closes the door. And my medicine.
He turns around for a second and waves it off. "I'm not really feeling any tonight. I cleaned some pots earlier if you want some."

I'm not all that shook from the fact that he didn't want tea. It was almost 12pm. What really bothered me the most was that he had that bottle in his hand instead of putting it in the fridge. It's not like I was going to drink, steal a few sips or anything. Before I was going to say something, like why did he bring in the bottle in the first place, my phone buzzes again. It's V making a facetime call from the group chat. I go to my room.

✎﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏﹏
Dad drops me off at V's house at 7pm. The moon is already out. We can no longer walk everywhere since the weather is below freezing. Everyone is now driving in their cars to get to places. I'm still feeling a bit under the weather, but it's nothing contagious.

These past few days have been weird. Last night when we were making dinner, Taylor texted me. I asked Fin if they gave her my number or something and he said V wanted us to get closer and "We'd be good together. We just have to get to know each other." That sent me off the roof. She's right about the fact that we have to at least talk since she's coming to the Secret Santa, but the "We'd be good together?" I don't know.

On the short ride there, I blow heat on the window and draw random stuff until he stops in front of her house.

I've been to her house before, but not at night. And it's beautiful. Red and white lights hang all around, lighting up the steps to the door. I say bye to Dad, climb out of the truck, and step into the cold with a gift bag in my hand. The lights are on, and I can hear people talking inside.

Before I can knock , V opens it.
"Jonah! Hii!" She wraps her arms around my neck and hugs me. I can smell her perfume that smells like strawberry pound cake. I hug her with my open arm. "Hey."
She takes my present and we walk inside. I relax a little as I'm greeted by the heat.

The layout of her home looks exactly like ours. Once you walk in, the stairs are right there, but to the left is the living room where everyone is.
I see Fin as he sits the bowl of pretzels down and gives me a hug too, and Taylor waves at me from the floor. The game of life board game in front of her, along with blankets and pillows.

Bryce is quiet, sitting on the couch looking at the TV.
"You came just in time," Taylor says. "We're about to start a new game."

Fin lays back down on the floor and grabs the pretzels with him. V snatches it out of his hand and gives him a look. "You need to save some for everyone. I already poured the last few that we had."
He rolls his eyes. "My apologies." He looks at me. "Did you want any?"

I shake my head then he turns to Taylor. She's wearing gray sparkly leggings with a green sweater with the grinch on it. "Did you want any?"
She shakes her head. "I'm waiting on the cookies."
"Well there you have it." He snatches the bowl out of