Learning to Love Christmas

Chapter 6

VI: You call that flirty?

December 4, 2013

I smoothed down my red sweater and looked at my reflection in the mirror. My cheeks were red from the cold and I straightened my hair, wanting a change from my usual waves. I slipped on my grey boots, got my maroon rucksack and ran down stairs.

I could smell the scent of breakfast when I walked into the kitchen.

“Mornin’ everyone!” I swiped a piece of toast from my older brother’s plate.

“I was going to eat that.” Ethan gave me a pointed look.

“Yeah, well.” I took a bite and smiled. “It’s good.”

“That was the last one.” He frowned.

“Fine.” I said rolling my eyes. I put the bitten bread back on his plate, making him smile.

My brother sure loves his toast.

 “Have some pancakes, dear.” My mother swooped in with a plate. She set it front of me and went back to the kitchen.

“Thanks mom.” I said and reached for the bottle of maple syrup in the middle of the table. “Did dad go to work already?”

“U-huh.” Daniel, the youngest of the Winters Family, answered with a mouthful of pancake.

“Wipe your mouth Dan.” I said, handing him a napkin. His pancakes were drowning in strawberry syrup. I bet he wouldn’t finish that and no one would want them ‘cause they’re all soggy. Who would want a soggy pancake?

“By the way,” Mom got a plate for herself and sat down. “The principal called, Elle.”

“And?” I asked while putting butter on my plate.

“They had a problem with the boiler at your school and the repairmen can’t come until late this afternoon. So you don’t have school today.” She said, pouring orange juice into her glass.

I had to refrain from pumping my fist in the air and shouting ‘yes’. I grinned instead, already thinking of what I could do today. The possibilities are endless.

“Does that mean I don’t have to go to school, too?” Daniel asked, eyes widening in delight.

“Sorry, Dan, but you have school today. You and your sister go to different schools remember?” Mom said, getting the bottle of syrup from Ethan.

“Aww.” My little brother frowned.

“Don’t be sad, kid. I’ll take you to school.” Ethan told him as he got up to go to the kitchen. He ruffled Danny’s hair on his way.

“Ok.” He smiled happily then continued eating his breakfast.

“Can you drop me off at the Hastings’ Residence?” I called to Ethan.

“Why would you want to go there?” My brother asked as he got back with the milk carton.

“I’m gonna go see a friend.” I shrugged nonchalantly.

“Hastings…” My mom trailed off, thinking. “Oh, are you talking about Alexander and Vivienne Hastings?”

“I think so.” I said hesitantly. I really didn’t know much about Oliver’s family. Come to think of it, I don’t know anything about Oliver. I don’t know what his favorite color is, if he has any other sibling besides his sister, where he plans to go to college or other stuff like that.

“Aren’t they the too-rich-to-attend-the-local-Christmas-fest family?” Ethan snorted, looking up from his plate.

“Ethan.” Mom said warningly. “I don’t know why they don’t attend the town festivities but I’m sure they have a good reason. They’re really nice people. Your father and Alexander were buddies in college. I haven’t seen them in a while though.”