Learning to Love Christmas

Chapter 9

IX: Midnight Escapades

December 9, 2013

I yawned and stretched my arms. I gathered up my books and papers then went upstairs to my bedroom telling my mom, who was punching numbers in a calculator, to have a good night and that she should hit the sack too. We had at least three pop quizzes and a difficult biology lab activity at school today and our teachers gave us dozens of homework. In addition, Carol asked nonstop about what happened the other day when I had dinner at Oliver’s house. I was exhausted and couldn’t wait to wrap myself in my comforter and doze off.

I did my night routine of brushing my teeth, putting my hair up in a bun and slipping into my pajamas. I fixed my bag for school tomorrow, switched off the lights and tucked myself in. According to the clock, it was eleven in the evening. I sighed happily and snuggled up to my pillow.

It only seemed like I was sleeping for five minutes when I heard a tapping sound coming from the window. I turned over in the bed and put my head under a pillow to try and block out the sound. But to no avail. The sound was continuous, tapping away at the glass. It was annoying the hell out of me.

I grumbled and stood up to see what it was. I was as cranky and deadly as Carol when I didn’t get at least eight hours of sleep.

I pushed back my light blue curtains and opened the window. Out of the blue, something hit me on the forehead. I muttered a few choice words under my breath then studied the thing that hit me. It was a small pebble, probably as small as a marble.

Another pebble hit me in the back of the head. I marched towards the window and looked down, wondering what could possibly be launching rocks into my bedroom. It was dark outside and it took some time for my eyes to adjust.

“Elle.” I heard someone whisper my name.

I looked around our side yard but saw nothing. The only source of light was the small lamp post at the other side of our house.

“Elle!” The voice whispered hoarsely again. “Down here by the tree.”

My gaze drifted to the tall pine tree that my window overlooked to. There was a dark figure standing next to it. The person stepped out of the shadows and with the moonlight and twinkling LED lights that we decorated the tree with I could clearly see his smirking face.

“Oliver?” I whispered, utterly surprised. “What the hell are you doing here?”

“I couldn’t sleep.” He said.

“So why are you here?!” I said, glaring. I’m sure he couldn’t see me that well so it was rather useless to scowl.

“I was wondering if you were up for a joy ride.” I saw him smile widely, his teeth sparkling.

“Are you crazy?” I spat. I glanced at the clock on my night stand. “It’s half past midnight!”

“Yeesh.” He said. “Someone’s certainly taking after their grumpy best friend.”

“Yeah, well, people tend to get that way when you wake them up at twelve o’clock in the morning!” I hissed, trying to keep my voice as low as possible. My parents were just across the hallway after all.

“Ok, ok. I have to admit that my plan wasn’t well thought out but come on. We could do whatever you want.”

“No.” I said dryly. I was so not up for a midnight escapade on a school day. “I’m going back to bed.”

“It’ll be easy for you to sneak out. There aren’t any lights on in the house so I bet ten dollars that your family’s asleep.”

“That’s what I should be doing right now. Sleeping!” If eyes could really shoot daggers, he would be dead by now.