'tis the damn season

Chapter 1: I'm Staying At My Parent's House

Years have passed since the last time you visited your hometown— South Orange, New Jersey. You just finished shooting for your new film yesterday and immediately booked a plane back to New York City, a one-hour drive away from where you are headed— so that you can spend the holidays with your family.

Breathing heavily, the windshield glass of your car fogs up. It's winter, and rubbing your hands doesn't help ease the frostiness you're welcomed with on your way to your family's house.

"Hello, my beauty" You were greeted with a warm hug by your mom, Laura.

"Hey, Mom" You kissed her cheek in return, Oh how I missed this.

Hurried footsteps on the staircase were heard from afar, Dad.

"My princess! You're finally home" He lifted you and spun you around like he used to do when you were a kid.

You giggled as you missed their presence for a long time now. You noticed how they aged beautifully,

"Let's get you inside," Your mom said.

Your driver helped your dad with the suitcases you brought with you, and after that, you told him to enjoy the holidays with his family before bidding your goodbyes.

"Have you heard what happened to Allison?" You looked at your mom and shook your head.

"She got into a car accident about a year ago. Two people died— one was her sister-in-law, Molly"

"Oh," You're just looking at your mom, waiting for what she is about to say next.

"I know, what a poor soul." She said.

"Look at me, Allison!" You gripped her wrist, preventing her from running away.

"What are we?" It was more of a whisper, begging for her to answer the hanging query.

Allison looked at you straight into your eyes and yanked her arm from your grip, about to leave you.

"That's it? I'm just a quick fuck for you to use?"

"No— you are a great friend to me, Y/N" You scoffed, her back facing away from you.

"You and I both know we're more than that"

"For fuck sake, Y/N. We're JUST friends! Nothing more and you know that yourself" She prodded your chest harshly.

She turned her heels and walked away as fast as she could and you were left alone at the train station.

"I heard Allison was about to try her wedding dresses before they got into the accident" Laura sighed as she handed you the hot cocoa she made.

"You do love gossip around town" You jokingly said to your mother, She scoffed pretending to look offended by your remark.

Hissing, you burned your tongue as you took your first sip of the beverage. You decided to just drink it later on while you unpack your stuff. You told your mom that you'd go to your room to arrange your things, and she said "okay" and told you to take a rest after.

She was breathing heavily under you as she caressed your face.

"You're so pretty" She grinned as she pulled your face closer to hers, giving you a heated kiss.

"You're the prettiest," You said, trailing kisses down to her neck and collarbone.

Both of you are a mess whenever you're together— you always end up making out and staying up all night being loud.

"More" She whispered against your ear as she arched her back on the mattress, Your knuckles deep inside her and her nails scratching your back too hard as she tried clinging to you further.

You were snapped out of your thoughts when you heard a crash outside, You looked out of the window from your room and you saw a figure— a short brown hair that was certainly a self-cut because of how uneven it was, the oversized cardigan and sweatpants the person is wearing.

You saw her stand up and huff a breath from what happened, shortly after, She looked around hoping no one saw her.

Her posture seemed relaxed after finding out that no one witnessed her fall on the slippery pavement not until her eyes landed on yours as you stood against your window. Shit.

You ducked as soon as you realized who it was— Allison Johnson.

—

It was dinner when you heard a knock on your door, An old man and a teenage girl were on our front porch.

"Mister Daniel!" Your dad welcomed them, turns out they invited the two to dinner.

The girl beside him looked at you curiously,

"Do I know you?" She asked.

You double-checked whether she was talking to you or your mom was behind you— she was talking to you.

"Oh my God! You're the one in that movie I watched a few days ago" She said giddily.

"Well, I guess you're the first one to recognize me" You chuckled and introduced yourself, and they did the same.

All of you gathered in the dining room, and you were wondering if we were still waiting for someone's arrival.

"She said she'll be late for a while," Daniel said.

You were about to say your grace when suddenly a knock was heard on your door, again. Laura stood up and opened the door herself.

"She's here~" Your mom sang.

And there she was, THE great friend of yours. Out of the corner of your eyes, you saw Ryan— the teenage girl, rolling her eyes upon Allison's arrival.

"Sorry, I'm late" Allison apologized and you— you're frozen on your seat.

Your eyes met and she looked at your mom,

"I didn't know you were already complete, I shouldn't have shown up," She said, noticing that there were no unoccupied chairs anymore for her to sit.

You stood up and excused yourself. It's too hard to breathe in the same room as hers. I shouldn't be thinking about it, I thought we already moved on with it, Y/N.

You were out in the cold for some time, sitting on the bench in your backyard, drowned in your thoughts about the things you've been through, not until someone sat beside you. You don't need to know who it was when your words slipped out of your mouth.

"Go home," And with that, you went back inside your house and you saw your mom looking at you worriedly.

"I didn't mean to ruin your day, sweetie. I thought you were all oka—"

"It's not your fault, mom. I'm also sorry for acting rude earlier."

You saw Daniel and Ryan, about to leave so you took that time to apologize for how you acted in front of them earlier, they said it was alright and just laughed it off before bidding their goodbyes.

"I'm hungry" Your stomach growled and your mom laughed at you and now, you feel better again although it's just for a bit.

What a fucking night it is.