Paper thin // Joe Sugg au

*14*

"LET THEM KNOW IT'S CHRISTMAS TIME!" I sung cheerfully, heading towards the door.

"You're raucous!" Joe exclaimed, stepping into the house.

"It's allowed!", I shouted, trying to be heard over the music, "It's Christmas"

Nikki came out of the kitchen with a plate of roast potatoes, waved then continued into the dining room.

"Just in time for Christmas dinner Joe!"

The tree twinkled silver as the fairy lights lit up. Baubles of red and gold hung from the branches and a pure white angel stood elegantly on top. Presents beneath the tree were still wrapped, waiting to be opened. Christmas was in the air, written on the walls and everywhere inbetween. It was finally a happy time, a distraction from the sadness of the accident. A way to feel happy without feeling guilty. Christmas was finally there and Zoe would have wanted everyone to have fun, with or without her. It was a reason, an excuse, to be happy and cheerful. It wasn't going to be a good time wasted.

"Oi, Nikki, pull this cracker with me" I called. Nikki ran over, grabbed the other end and pulled. *SNAP* "Awh you won! What'd you get?"

Nikki rummaged around the cracker, struggling to fit her hand in. Eventually she pulled out a paper crown which was covered in copper glitter, a 'mood fish' and a joke.

"Hey, hey. Why do Penguin's like meeting new people?", She smiled madly as we waited for the punch line, "They love ice breakers"

"You've got to admit" Joe spoke up "England have the shi.ttest jokes but they're still funny"

We all giggled at Joe's comment as he entered the room with the last of the food. Taking a seat, he lifted up a glass.

"To us, for being strong and merry despite the circumstances. To you, Milly, for being the best person Zoe could have in her life and the strongest in mine. And, last but definitely not least, to Zoe who would have been the life of the party. CHEERS!" We clinked our glasses and called cheers then everyone tucked into their food.

"Joe, you didn't have to do that" I whispered, turning to face him.

"Do what?" He asked.

"That little bit about me. I don't need recognition, supporting each other is what friends do"

"It was nothing" ,He looked up at me, his blue eyes had an unusual sparkle in them, "Think of it as a thank you from Zoe. You've helped with her and everything else"

I smiled and he smiled back.