Emma sat on her living room couch on Christmas Day, alone in the silence of her house. She was waiting for Blake to come pick her up. Her two presents for him sat on the couch beside her, along with Chris's and Kandy's. Her fingers played with the end of her green reindeer sweater she had also picked up while shopping with the girls.
She had never bought a Christmas sweater before, but this one was so cute. Claire picked it out for her. She was so happy she had met so many great people these last few months. And despite waking up home alone this morning, she felt very loved when she turned on her phone to see all the messages from her friends wishing her a Merry Christmas.
Kandy was the second person to wish her a good Christmas, followed by Chris and so on. There was a knock on her door, and she rushed to answer it with a grin. "Hey, Lake! Merry Christmas!"
He smiled, hugging her, swaying from side to side. "Merry Christmas."
She pulled away, walking over to the couch, picking up his two gifts along with Kandy's and Chris's.
He led her outside, watching as she locked the front door. "I know yesterday was crazy, but I'm hoping today will take your mind off it. My parents are home. I'm pretty sure each of them got you a present." As she finished with the lock, he led her towards his car, opening the door for her.
She set the presents between her legs. "That's nice of them. I kinda feel bad for not getting them anything." She brushed her hair out of her eyes. He got behind the wheel and began driving down the road, glancing over at her. "They'll understand. They probably won't even mind," he said while waving his hand. She bit her lip, looking out the window.
"Me and Alex already opened our presents. The only ones left are yours from Kandy and Chris, my parents, and Alex." Her eyes widened when she heard Alex's name. She looked over at him surprised "Alex got me a gift too?"
He laughed softly, glancing over at her. "Of course he did. He saved his allowance to get you something."
What could Alex have possibly gotten her?
It was so sweet of him to spend money on her. "Any idea what he got me?" she smiled. Of course, Alex would have told Lake about what he got her... he probably even took him to buy the gift.
Blake shook his head as they pulled in front of his house. "Can't tell you. He made me promise not to." He opened his door, walking around the car to meet her as she climbed out. She pouted, but understanding their brotherly bond couldn't be broken even for her.
They walked up to his front door, her Christmas gifts in her hands. "My mom should be making her special Christmas pancakes. So I hope you're hungry." He unlocked the door, stepping inside, followed by her.
"Starving! I haven't eaten today," she said while smiling. The smell of sweet, warm pancakes hit her nose as she walked inside. Soft Christmas music filled the house. A warm feeling filled her chest. Looking to her left, she saw Alex playing a new video game on the living room TV, sitting on one of the couches. On the other, Philo and Mr. Black sat talking about some football game, drinking what seemed to be warm apple cider and eggnog.
She quickly put her presents for Blake, Kandy, and Chris underneath the tree with the other presents. Alex glanced up from the screen, hearing the door. "Hey, Miss Pear! Merry Christmas!" he said with a wide grin, which she returned.
"Merry Christmas, Alex!" Mr. Black and Philo waved towards her, greeting her with a Merry Christmas. Alex waved his game controller in the air towards her.
"Miss Pear, do you wanna try my new game?" Before she could reply, Blake said, "Please, at least let her eat first, Alex!" He rolled his eyes, grabbing her hand, bringing her into the kitchen. When they entered the kitchen, she saw Ms. Black dancing around the kitchen, humming along to the Christmas music.
She set another tree-shaped pancake onto the plate beside her. She smiled when she saw them "Hello dear! Merry Christmas! Help yourself to some cider or eggnog. The breakfast will be in a few minutes." She pointed towards the dining table.
On the table sat two big bowls, one with apple cider, the other with eggnog, and a plate with some Christmas cookies in different Christmas shapes. She walked towards the bowl with eggnog "Good choice. Eggnog's my favorite too," Blake said. He picked up two cups. After filling them both, he passed one to her.
She looked into the cup of creamy liquid a moment before taking a sip "Personally, I would add a little liquor, but this is okay too," he whispered into her ear, making her choke on the drink.
He laughed loudly, making Ms. Black turn her head to look towards them. "Are you okay, dear?" Emma nodded her head before taking another sip of eggnog, glaring slightly towards him.
Ms. Black smiled, putting the plate full of pancakes onto the table before yelling towards the living room, "Breakfast's ready!"
YOU ARE READING
It Started With Hello
Romance***** Emma Pear knew she wasn't the most popular girl in high school. Her nose was usually buried in a textbook, and her grades were as spotless as her reputation for always following the rules. "Nerd" was a label she'd long since embraced. Her pare...
