Lean on Me || Jill Roord

23. Team Holiday

Our team Christmas party was at Alex's house on Thursday, and I was excited to see the girls again. When I got back from Australia, I'd really seen Kyra, as I stayed with her in London for a few days to catch up. Obviously she was pissed off at me for just flying back to Australia without an explanation, but more so that I didn't take her with me so she could see my mum. She was closer to my mom than I was at this point.

Nerves began to fill my chest as I walked up the steps to Alex's apartment. I was worried about how the girls would react after I returned to England. I'd sent a message to our team group chat telling them where I was and that I was okay and I just needed space; of course they were all supportive, but I was just worried. I couldn't help it.

A simple knock was all it took for the door to be swung open, revealing Alex and Ellie both dressed in ugly Christmas sweaters, as that was the party theme. I let out a snort when I realised their sweaters matched each other, and they both grinned. Alex was the first to pull me into a hug. "It's good to see you, Caro." I hugged her tighter before letting go and being engulfed in a crushing hug from Ellie.

"I'm glad you're back, Caro," she whispered, and I had to fight the tears that were now forming in my eyes. "I'm glad I'm back too." When I pulled away, Ellie gave me a warm smile, and the three of us walked into the main room.

"Caro! You're back!" Kerstin turned her attention away from Jill, who was sitting next to her, and that caught everyone's attention. Meaning, now I had many pairs of eyes on me. "Only so I can beat you at Mario Kart." My effort to lighten the mood worked as everyone laughed and Kerstin frowned before cracking a grin and rolling her eyes.

The only person who didn't laugh was Jill. As our eyes locked, everything flashed through my mind. Everything I was worried about that had caused me to avoid her since I'd been back; nobody even knew I was coming tonight except for Alex. Her face didn't give anything away, and I was searching it desperately for any hint of a thought.

"Alright!" Alex grabbed everyone's attention once more as I went to sit down next to Alanna, who gave me a side hug and a smile. "Everyone is here now, so let's get the gift exchange started."

Collectively as a team, we had decided to do a Secret Santa and drew names at the beginning of the month so we had time to get gifts for our person. Surprisingly, nothing had been spoilt, and nobody knew who each other drew, so all of us were excited to watch this unfold. "Who wants to start?" Alex clasped her hands together.

It was silent for a moment, everybody looking around waiting for someone to start with only the sound of Christmas music playing lowly in the background. "Alright, alright. I'll go." Bunny spoke, breaking the silence.

She took the bag that was by her feet and, with a smile on her face, scanned the room before placing the bag in front of Lauren, who looked clueless for a second. "I got Hempo," she said with a smile, and the whole room laughed at Hempo's lost expression.

As Hempo opened the bag, she let out a laugh, making everyone crane their necks to see what she got. Turns out Bunny had gotten Hemp a Red London Telephone Box Lego set, adding fuel to the fire when it came to Lauren's obsession with Legos. Everyone laughed when they realised this, and Esme, who was sitting next to her along with Khiara, analysed the set with Lauren like children.

The room was filled with laughter and a feeling of belonging as the night went on, all of us enjoying each other's company along with drinks flowing between everyone. I'd given my gift to Kerstin, which was Mario Kart 8 Deluxe along with the steering wheel attachment for the Nintendo controllers. I couldn't help but grin when Kerstin's face lit up at the running joke that had formed between us, solely because of both of our tendencies to be very competitive.