Basic Instinct [stranger things]

26. Lonely Christmas

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
LONELY CHRISTMAS

Aaron Harrington loved Christmas. He always had, even when he was little. However in recent years his parents weren't really present all too much, so for the past few years it had just been Aaron and Steve.

Aaron actually didn't mind that his parents hadn't been there with them the past few years, at least then Steve wouldn't act so differently towards him simply because he was in the presence of his parents.

Aaron liked the Christmas traditions that he and his brother had mistakenly made. Obviously the Christmas days weren't perfect, but Aaron loved them all the same.

Aaron's parents had ended up leaving the morning after his late night venture out with Kimmy, they hadn't bothered to say goodbye - not to Aaron at least. The youngest Harrington brother believed that Steve had most likely received a goodbye from the pair, although he couldn't have been sure.

That was a first, no matter how much the two parents obviously favoured Steve, they'd never left without saying goodbye to Aaron.

Aaron couldn't help but admit that he felt saddened by the fact his parents hadn't even woken him to say goodbye when they always made a point of doing so. Aaron began worrying about his behaviour from the previous night, suddenly afraid he'd pushed them too far.

Aaron found himself dreading his parents next visit, despite the fact they'd only just left.

On Christmas Eve night, Aaron was downstairs by the family Christmas tree and dressed in his pyjamas, trying to find all of his presents he'd received so he could put them into a neat pile, planning on doing the same to Steve's presents so it was easier for the two in the morning.

The Harrington's mad money - lots of money. That was no secret. The pair received mountains of gifts every Christmas Day, from both extended family and friends.

Well, not so much friends. The party didn't exchange Christmas gifts with one another, it just wasn't something they did. Most likely because none of them had jobs. But to be fair, they were only twelve.

No matter how poor the two brothers relationship may be at times, they'd always spent Christmas together, making up for the fact that their parents wouldn't.

Just as Aaron went to move on to arrange his brothers pile, the older boy walked into the room, causing Aaron's head to snap up at the sound, watching Steve with a cautious expression as he lingered in the door way.

Since that day a few weeks ago, the two hadn't really been speaking, only doing so when necessary.

"I need to ask you something," Steve mumbled nervously, not moving from his spot near the doorway.

Aaron instantly began to internally panic, fearing something was wrong but he did his best not to show it.

He shifted from his spot on the floor slightly so he could see his brother more clearly. "Alright."

"Would you mind if I went to Nancy's for Christmas?" Steve blurted, looking to his brother as if he already knew the answer.

Aaron was taken aback by the question, freezing on the spot as he felt his face drop. "What, for the entire day?"

Steve shrugged, "yeah,"

Aaron couldn't believe what his brother was asking of him, he was more hurt by the fact he'd done it so last minute. Steve must have known he was going to Nancy's at least a week ago, but he'd told Aaron on Christmas Eve so he couldn't back out of it.