Dear Jamie (on hold)

7 - ugly christmas sweaters

The snow evaporates when it comes into contact with the heat of my cup. There's a breeze, sending the flakes in my direction and I shiver.

Trying to keep warm, I take a long pull of the hot liquid. It heats up my insides, but sadly my hands are left freezing. I blow on them, hoping my breath is warm enough to save them from frostbite.

I knew I forgot something.

"I told you to bring gloves," Nathan reminds me, yet again.

"Yeah, thanks." I look over at him. His face is pointed toward the sky, attempting to catch some of the flurries with his tongue. "It wasn't supposed to snow! It wasn't even that cold out when we left!"

"It's New England. How long have you lived here?"

"Shut up, I'm not used to you being the logical one."

"I'm telling you, it's all of these college classes I've been taking. I'm getting smarter," he taps his head.

"I'll believe that when I see it. Or rather hear it."

"Just you wait. Soon enough, I'll be tutoring you."

"I've never tutored you," I point out.

"That's not the point. I'm becoming a genius which only adds to my good looks, charming personality, and my rocking bod. You can't handle it."

"You're right, I'm a jealous mess. Moving on, how much longer do we have to wait?"

"Wait for what?"

I blink. "You said we had to wait for your brother to meet us here. Why you picked the effing park in the dead of winter, I'm not quite sure."

"Oh, yeah, I already talked to him. We're meeting up tomorrow instead," he says, nonchalantly taking a sip of his coffee.

"And you didn't think to mention that fifteen minutes ago?"

"I thought we were hanging out!"

"I'm going home. Goodbye, Nathan."

"Talk to ya later, man."

I shake my head, pulling my keys out to unlock the Jeep. Once inside, I glance at the dashboard.

3:15. If I hurry home, I'll still have enough time to clean my room before Jamie comes over.

It's the last time I get to see her before my mom and I fly to New York for Christmas.

It's going to be strange not seeing her. I mean, I know we haven't been together too long, but even so, I can't remember what it's like to not know her. I care about her a lot.

I might even...

No. That's impossible. Not yet.

I pull into my driveway and jog inside, eager to clear my head.

"Isaac! Jamie's here!" I hear my mother call out to me.

"Um. Okay, I'll be right down!"

I take one final glance at the snowman-printed gift sitting on my comforter, adjusting the bow before tucking it in under my arm.

"Hey," I greet Jamie, pulling her into a hug.

"Hi," she smiles. "So, why'd I have to dress warm? I hope we're not planning to brave the tundra... And was the ugly Christmas sweater really required?"

I step back, chuckling under my breath as I take in her attire. She's dressed normal for the most part: jeans, knit hat, mittens, et cetera. It's the cat-wearing-a-Santa-hat pattern on her sweater that makes me smirk.