Bastiana has a loving family, two amazing best friends, and a secret.
Over summer vacation, Bastiana and her besties do their best to focus on their bucket list in order to distract them from all the secrets they're keeping from one another. When a...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
"Goodnight, Riggy!" I call out as I walk to the door with Tiana and Ry. "It was good to see you. Merry Christmas!"
"Merry Christmas, Asher!" She calls back.
"Night everyone!" Ry calls out to them.
"Night guys." Jaxon says quieter.
I can see the muscles in the back of Ry's neck tense at the sound of his voice. Thankfully, Tiana's back is to him as she opens the front door. I reach out and carefully lay my hand on his bicep, letting it linger there for a moment before dropping it as Tiana turns around to face us again. I see his shoulders relax a fraction as my hand falls away.
"Today was a good day." Tiana sighs as I pull the door closed behind me.
"Today was a great day, Doll." I say gently as I turn to face her and Ry.
"I love spending holidays with you guys." Her face lights up with a warm smile as her cheeks turn pink in the icy evening air. "I can't imagine a world where we don't."
"Neither can we, Doll." I say softly.
"Wouldn't dream of it, B." Ry agrees. "Holidays with the two of you are always great days." He says quietly.
"Alright, let's do this thing before Tiana turns into a popsicle!" I laugh softly as I pull her in for a tight hug. She's shivering now, even in her oversized hoodie and sweats. "You guys ready?" I ask as I rub Tiana's arms to warm her up.
"Yep!" Tiana smiles up at me. "Do you have the box?"
"Yeah, it's in the truck." I nod towards the parking lot. "Here, why don't you let Ry warm you up while I go get it, Doll?" I say as I guide her towards him.
"Okay." Tiana easily agrees as she lets me pass her into Ry's arms. I smile gently at her unwavering trust and comfort as she lets us manipulate her small body.
After she's securely wrapped in his warm embrace, I jog to my truck and unlock the door. I reach in and open the glovebox, pulling out the small silver tin I stashed there this morning and running my fingers over the cracked paint and rusting edges. This tiny box has been in my possession for 365 days, and now it's time to pass it on.
I quickly close the glovebox and the truck door before making my way back to Tiana and Ry. I smile at the two of them as Ry tucks Tiana against his chest, his large frame almost engulfing her completely.
"Okay. I got it." I say gently. "Why don't you guys hand me yours and I can do the switches. That way you can stay warm, Doll." I give Ry a smirk over Tiana's head. He rolls his eyes but I can see the corner of his mouth tilt up in a smile.
"Yep. I'm cool with that." Tiana giggles softly. She wiggles one of her arms free so she can reach into her pocket and take out a small piece of purple paper. She holds it out and I carefully take it from her before she quickly tucks her hand back between her and Ry.
