birds of a feather

rhode island

BELLA

The cold December air peeks through the apartment's windows. I'm wearing a sweater and sweats. Finals had wrapped up along with final projects being submitted. I was gathering what I needed for the trip. Kassy went home for the break, so Aubrey and Paige would keep me company when I asked them to come over. We agreed for hot cocoa after the packing. Aubrey had plans with her girlfriend, so she wouldn't be joining us. I put on a black long sleeve fitted top and over top, a white zip up with stockings and on top, a pair of joggers.

As we exited out Paige wrapped her arm around my chest, "Nuh uh."

"What?"

"You need to be warmer." She pulled a beanie out of her pocket and put it on my head.

"You just happen to have a beanie? in your pocket?" I raised an eyebrow at her.

"Yes. Now we can go."

Aubrey laughed, "You guys are too cute."

We aren't anything but friends. Like I said, we're too close to comfort. We greet Aubrey goodbye, her girlfriend had met us in front of my building. I waved and smiled at her.

"Alright shorty let's go get hot cocoa." She had my keys and I rolled my eyes.

PAIGE

I parked the car in front of a nearby shopping center. Tillie's Cafe, it just opened and we had been wanting to try it. We enter and the atmosphere is warm and cozy. There's Christmas decorations up and we up to the cashier. I order for the both of us and I realize that she, as well as the workers are looking at us with a smirk. Maybe it's the media? I can't figure it out.

"Why are they looking at us?" I whisper to Bella.

She chuckles and looks up, "Mistletoe."

"Oh! We don't have to.." She cuts me off with a kiss on my cheek. Fuck. My heart melts.

"Can't break the Christmas law." She smiles.

Our hot chocolate is ready and we sit at a table.

"You excited for the trip?"

"Yeah. I'm always excited to see my family. You know, when we were kids, my dad would make a video on those old cameras, dressed up as Santa Claus and reminded us to be good. He'd show it to us around July." Bella chuckled.

Her eyes light up whenever she talks about her family. I know I need to tell her how I feel but I have no idea if she even wants to hear that. We're in a great place right now, granted I want to be more.

"That's cool. I'm saving that in the books for when I have kids."

"Oh same. I might have Michael and Luis do it. Have one of them be elves." Bella cracked up. Her infectious laugh was enough to get me giddy. I can't control myself when I'm with her. Words in my mind almost come slipping out. It's taking everything in me to hold back. I'm not saying anything.

GAME DAY

BELLA'S POV

It's game day which means it's the day that I leave. My family drove in for the day and right after, we're heading out. We all went out to brunch, Martins included. To my surprise, my dad rented out a 9 seater car. Two parents in the front, 2 parents in the second row and the 2 rows of 3 were for the kids. I called a window seat. They drove me to the gym and they found their seats. Kate carried my duffel out to the car for me to which I thanked her for.