The Valley
Last Christmas
It's a marshmallow world out there.
The green highway signs guide us across the valley hills that look like a picturesque place out of a Kinkade calendar painting. Snow we got hit with two nights ago blankets the rolling scenic nowhere east of the city. It was up to my ankles in the drive (the most I've seen in four years).
I'd be lying if I said I hated coming out this far. I'm not a nature lover, but the valley has always fascinated me. It stimulates my imagination. I'm seventeen. I've been here twenty-one times, and for a good reason. My grandparents (on Dad's side) live out this way.
Every holiday, two days before Christmas, my parentals and I make the now forty-minute trip (used to be four hours) to spend three nights with family from Dad and Mom's sides at the Vaughn Manor.
I think it's fancier in your head.
It's a brick home the size of two of mine, with me and up to ten others who have to share guest rooms. But, in my head? A Gatsby soirée!
You look adorable, by the way.
Something about the holidays makes me feel dapper, so I've decided to wear my Sunday best. Dressy shirt. Parted hair. Skaters on my feet. Someone's probably going to say something about how off they look compared to the rest of me.
You look gorgeous. You'll be fine.
Easy for you to say. You're not dealing with the biggest problem ever.
Problem?
This whole thing with Kenzie! She's going away next year, and I can't even tell her...you know.
Because you're stubborn?
No.
You had your chance. Remember? You had that moment at the play. But, nothing. And now, you've spent the whole ride kicking yourself.
No!
Yes! That girl likes you, you idiot! You really think she's going to hate you for...I don't know...kissing her?
Kiss...uh, no. It's not like it was the end of days. I've got until August. I can tell her...something before then.
Like?
...Shut up.
Enjoy Christmas break. Maybe it's what you need.
YOU ARE READING
Earhart & Noonan: An "Us Club" Novel (#1)(NaNoWriMo15)
Teen FictionFor the first twelve years of Stephen Vaughn's life, just trying to get others around him to pronounce his first name the right way ("Stee-vehn Vawn") has felt like the hardest task he's had to try and cope with. That is, until his perfect life with...
