b r e a t h e

Chapter Eleven

Weeks had passed and winter was falling upon us. I stared out my window, longing for snow one Tuesday morning during break. Break had started last Friday and Christmas was going to be on Thursday. My mom and I never really took the holiday seriously and we only celebrated because her mom was super religious and my mom felt that we could at least to do that after she died.

"Hey princess. You look awfully sad." Alex comments, his head appearing from his window.

"There's...no snow." I stick my hand out and wait for little snowflakes to fall on it.

"Oh yeah, you guys came from Ohio." He nods and stares up at the sky. "C'mon Mother Nature. Give this little princess some snow."

"Reed, you're crazy." I roll my eyes and smile, looking up at the sky as well.

"Really? Isn't talking to mythical forces normal?" He raises at eyebrow and stares at me with a confused look on his face.

"I guess they forgot to teach you that in normal school." I sigh. "You can't talk to mythical forces if you want to seem like a human being. Sorry."

"Darnit." He mutters, hiding a smile.

We talk like that for about an hour. Alex switches topics quickly, but always manages to make me laugh or smile. Lastly, we talk about college.

"I'm going to UCLA." I say, "Anna and Samantha want to join me as well."

"Funny. I was planning on going there as well." He chuckles and I smile.

"Well at least I won't be completely alone if Anna and Samantha bail on me."

"Yep!" He smiles all cheery like. "Is your mom home?" He suddenly switches topics, looking past me.

"Nope. She has to work all week from like eight a.m. to one a.m. She won't be around for Christmas so that sucks." I shrug, frowning.

"Aw, sorry 'bout that." His eyes soften, sifting over to me. "You guys are religious?"

"No, not really. My grandma was super Jesus-y and my mom just thought we should continue it after she died. We really only do it for the gifts." I smile.

"Do you guys put up decoration?"

"Mistletoes in the doorways and a tree in the living room."

"Mistletoes?" He cocks an eyebrow.

"For decoration. I mean we still go by the 'kiss under the mistletoe' thing, but there is no one to kiss...ever. I mean, I kissed my friend once under it." I chuckle and he rolls his eyes.

"I could come over and stand under a mistletoe with you." He winks.

"Oh my God, Reed." I fall back, laughing. When I open my eyes, he's hovering above me. "How did you-"

"Wanna eat something?" He suggests, smiling. I quickly glance around. His arms are on either side of me and are holding up his entire weight. The same thing for his feet and legs. His face is at the same place as mine, but above. My cheeks blush up and I smile.

"Sure, why not?" I chuckle nervously, hoping to get out of this position.

He quickly stands up and offers me his hand. I take it, but let it go as soon as I'm up. We start walking out of my room, side by side in awkward silence. Once we reach my doorway, I feel his arm around my waist and I dip downwards before his lips reach mine. "Still as good as ever." He comments.

"Still not gonna sleep with you." I shake my head and run downstairs.

"Aw...really?" He smirks and takes a seat behind the counter. "Let's see, we've kissed...one, two, three, four times!"