As You Are // H.S

Fifteen.

Alexis Cooper.

Christmas, supposedly the most joyful holiday of the year. It usually was for me. I just hoped this year would be as well. I woke up alone in my apartment and it was freezing cold. Snow was falling outside, and with my luck my heating stopped working. 

I forced myself into the shower, the hot water up high in attempt to thaw my body out, once showered and dressed in simple jeans and a silly Christmas jumper, I checked my phone to see a text from Harry, and a missed call from my mum. 

Harry: Merry Christmas Lexi, I hope you have a great day, and good luck with your parents. I've decided to come home tomorrow, so I'll see you then x 

I smiled, and texted him back wishing him a merry Christmas as well. After that, I decided to call my mum back. 

"Alexis, darling. Merry Christmas, I hope to see you soon, yes?" God, how could she act so normal? 

"You too. I'm heading out the door now." I told her, as I closed my front door, locking it behind me.

"I'll see you, soon, bye." I hung up my phone and tossed it into my bag I had slung over my left shoulder. 

It took me a little longer to get to my parents house, due to the snow all over the roads, and the busy holiday season. When I get in the driveway, I sighed and shut my engine off, already seeing my aunt, uncle and two cousins had arrived, along with my grandparents - my mums parents, dads lived to far away to join us every year. I was excited to see them, I just wasn't that ecstatic to see my mum, my dad on the other hand, I hadn't seen him in at least two months, I was looking forward to it. 

I got out of the car, and made my way into the house, which smelt delightful. Too much food was cooked, every year. Which would usually leave us with left overs for days after. It was never a problem, though, Christmas food was the best. 

My mum was the first to see me, moving from her spot in the kitchen to pull me in for a hug, aunt Sophie followed after that, along with her husband, Ray. 

"Alexis, you've grown so much!" Sophie gushed. I smiled, placing my bag on the bench. 

"I've missed you guys so much, wheres the kids?" I wondered. 

"Oh, they're in the living room playing."  They had two kids, Ben and Jessica. Both young, 7 and 9. They were great. 

"Mum, wheres dad?" 

"He's on the back patio with your grandparents, love, go see them." I nodded, and quickly made my way to the back door. The minute I opened it, I was pulled into a bone crushing hug by my father. I hugged him just as tight back, so, so happy to see him. 

"Dad." I breathed out. 

"Darling, I've missed you so much." 

"I missed you too, dad." I felt guilty, so guilty, that he didn't know what mum was doing to him. She'd tell him soon enough. 

After greeting my grandparents, and being attacked by my cousin we all sat by the Christmas tree, exchanging gifts. I'd received a few books, a necklace, makeup, and some new clothes from everyone. I thanked them all, once everyone had finished receiving their presents we sat around the table, passing food around and talking among ourselves. It was actually going great. 

"So, how's your new place, little one?" My pa asked me. 

"It's great! I love it there, a lot. Closer to campus, for my night classes, it's even closer to my job, both of them. I'm really enjoying it." They all smiled and nodded.