Something Unexpected

FOUR: Winter Wonderland

December 21, 2015

I promised the girls that we'd have fun this Christmas Season and I meant it.

The cab drops us off at the Winter Wonderland festival in Santa Barbara. It was a week-long event that people from all over came to experience.

"So what do you guys want to do? Play a few games? Ice Skating? Rides?"

Serena and Maya exchange looks with each other before deciding.

"Ice skating." They answer in unison.

"Alright. Ice skating it is."

We pass by dozens of vendors who enthusiastically advertised their products, games, and food. I looked at the street performers in awe, and smiled as I saw that Maya and Serena looked the same. I smelled some mouthwatering hot chocolate, and I made a mental note to buy some before we leave.

We approached the ice skating rink that had been set up towards the heart of the festival. After helping Maya into a pair of rental skates, I watched as my sisters slipped, slid, and skated across the ice.

"You're missing out on half of the fun."

I turn to my left, and to my surprise there is a cute boy smiling at me. "Am I now?"

"Oh yeah. There's no feeling like the wind that blows through your hair as you glide across the ice."

I look the boy over from head to toe sizing him up. He was a little taller than average, maybe about 5' 10 or 5'11, with a muscular build. He looked nice in a simple beanie, blue sweater and dark jeans.

"I doubt that I'd experience that. I'd be more Bambi than champion figure skater on the ice. Besides, it's fun just to watch."

"Bambi is adorable! Come on! Give it a try."

I look back out onto the ice and wince as Maya falls onto the ice again. She smiles as Serena helps her back onto her feet and continues trying to skate.

"I'll pass."

"Suit yourself."

"If you like ice skating so much how come you aren't out there?" I ask. The dimples in the boy's cheek becomes deeper as his smile gets bigger.

"I'm supposed to be waiting for my brother. He was supposed to meet me here ten minutes ago."

"Oh..."

"You here alone?" the boy asks.

"No, I'm here with my two younger sisters." I rub my hands together and blow warm air into them as I attempt to warm them. He looks back at the people circling the rink, and I quickly point out Serena and Maya.

"Cute. How old are they?"

"The little one is turning six in February and the other one is twelve going on thirteen."

"Oh...cool."

"What about you? How many siblings do you have?"

"Three. Two brothers and a sister."

"Are you guys all here together?"

"Uh yes and no. My brother Christopher is here with his girlfriend, my sister is here with her boyfriend and Max came with a couple of buddies from our team."

"You play a sport?"

"Lacrosse and I used to play football but then I stopped because I didn't care for it."

I couldn't explain it but something about him playing a sport was really attractive. Ugh, he was just cute period.

"I've never seen a lacrosse game before, unless a couple of Teen Wolf clips count."