Call Me Six

40: 'Misteltoe' -Tris

TRIS-

We waited three hours for a car to arrive. Fortunately, they were willing to give us a lift back into town. Unfortunately, it was Mrs. Mathews.

"You kids really should be more responsible," she kept harping on about. Her car was small, thankfully because Tobias was so much taller, he got stuck with the front seat; next to our oh-so-favourite maths teacher, whilst I was huddled in the back seat next to her dog - Foo Foo.

I'd have never though she'd have a dog. Or at least not a massive Great Dane. Foo Foo was probably the biggest dog I've seen... Ever.

"This is why young kids shouldn't have cars..." she said, shaking her head in disapproval as we slowed for a red light.

"I'm eighteen," I heard Tobias mutter as he turned around to face me in his seat. "Are you okay back there?" he asked, but I knew he was just trying his hardest to forget that we were in a car for the next two hours minimum with the woman who has issued us with countless detentions.

"Yeah," I said, keeping my voice at a hushed whisper, praying that she wasn't listening. "Just a few hours and it'll be fine."

"Swap?"

I giggled... I actually giggled. "No way, I'm happy here with Foo Foo."

The giant dog perked up at the mention of his name, letting out a whine before plopping his head back into my lap.

Both of us laughed silently at the dopey animal.

"Well... Foo Foo looks quite comfy there, what if I swap with him?" He said, reaching over to scratch between the dark floppy ears of the great beast itself. "I could sprawl out on the back seat, fall asleep in your lap, have you scratch behind my ears and have you coo whenever I do anything other than breath..."

"Or you could turn around and listen to Mathew's fascinating lecture on why you're too young to be burdened with the responsibilities of driving." I couldn't help but grin as I mimicked her irritating voice-

"Miss Prior."

"Oh. Um... Yes?" I answered hesitantly.

"I do not enjoy being mimicked. And Mr. Eaton, would you please turn around or I will pull this car over and you will find your own way home. There are to be no shenanigans going on in my back seat."

"Yes Mrs. Mathews," we answer simultaneously and returned to the awkward silence.

~

"Happy holidays, Mrs. Mathews," I called as she drove off, leaving us in the middle of town at one in the morning.

It wasn't as dark as you'd usually expect, the street lamps were accompanied by the hanging lights that caught in the snow that was falling lightly.

It felt magical - like something from a movie.

"Oh Tris..." Tobias said. His tone was playful, the words sung like a carol. "It's officially Christmas Eve... Do you remember our last Christmas?"

How could I forget, I though as he stepped in front of me, his hands resting on my hips. He's such a child when it comes to holidays, getting excited over everything.

"Yes, I remember."

He smirked, his eyebrows lifting up in approval. "Tell me about it, I love the way you tell stories."

I could see his breath. Bursting in clouds as he spoke in the cold night air.

I wasn't cold though. Even though I was only wearing leggings and a knitted jumper. He kept me warm, his arms holding me close.