Everything I Didn't Say

f i f t e e n

FIFTEEN

"UGH, I HATE Christmas" Link grumbled under his breath.

"WHAT?" Jenna and I both burst at the same time.

We were on the second floor of Addison's central mall. It was the 3rd of December and already the mall had hung up their Christmas decorations. Red, white and green banners were strung from the ceiling, declaring 'Merry Christmas!' and old, traditional carols were being played over the speakers loudly. On the ground floor Father Christmas was taking pictures with kids in his makeshift North Pole grotto and asking them if they'd been naughty or nice this year. People dressed up as Santa's elves were positioned around the mall, on different floors, collecting money for charity. I'd already given them seven dollars, one to each elf I spotted.

Jenna and I were basking in all of this Christmas glory. I guess we were lucky in our small town. It had snowed repetitively over these past few weeks so the world outside was blanketed in crystal white.

Christmas was my best friend and I's favourite time of the year. It was just the leading up to Christmas I enjoyed the most: the tree, the decorations, the lights, the movies, songs and the atmosphere that fell over our town. Everyone here took December very seriously - especially the house-decorating contests.

Mom had brought home a fresh tree a couple of days ago. We waited until the pine needles had dropped before decorating it altogether, as is our tradition. I had to balance strategically on my Xavier's shoulders so I could reach the top of the tree to put on the angel. It took a while but it was completely worth it when it was all lit up while we were watching 'Miracle on 34th Street'.

"How can you hate Christmas?" I demanded in disbelief. "That's defying the laws of nature."

"No, it's not" Link rolled his eyes at my dramatics.

"Well, why do you hate Christmas then Lincoln, hmm?" Jenna probed, hands on hips.

"Jesus Jen, I hate when you call me that" Link muttered. "And I hate it because look at it all" Link pointed around us. "It's all just so cliché and cringe-worthy."

"You just don't know how to have fun" Jenna responded flippantly. "Isla and I love Christmas and nothing you say can put a downer on our mood Link. Now, present time!" Jenna clapped her hands together in delight.

"Present time?" Link repeated, confused.

"Yes. We girls are going to split up from you and go get our presents. You can go present shopping for us by yourself. We want it to be a surprise!" Jenna lowered her voice and added in a whisper: "but if you don't get me some new eyeshadow Lincoln, I'm going to be very disappointed on Christmas morning."

Link chuckled before turning serious. "But why are you two going together? You'll know what you're buying each other" he pointed out.

"We've already bought our presents" Jenna answered truthfully. "You on the other hand are very behind."

"It's only the third, Jenna!"

"I don't care. All the best stuff will have gone. Now go, shoo!" Jenna gave him a light-hearted shove.

He sent me one last pleading glance before walking off (suspiciously, in the direction of the nearest McDonald's). At his back, Jenna shouted "don't go buying Isla any scandalous underwear because you'll never get to see it on her!" which caused me to blush a furious red, Link to give her the middle finger and an elf nearby to glare at us accusingly.

"Come on" Jenna linked her arm through mine conspiratorially. "Let's go get some new clothes. I'm dying for one of those adorable Christmas jumpers. Hey, let's get matching ones!"