Holidaze (camren)

9. Thankschrismukkahween

The leaves had already changed a magnitude of warm colors and had long since fallen, the night began earlier and earlier with each day that came and went, and the air was crisper and colder as the winter months fast approached. Summer was surely my favorite season; the winter was surely my least. The holidays and the Jaureguis went together like Oil and Water, and it was virtually impossible to get through them without drinking yourself into a comatose. I didn't have the same privileges as my parents did in that department while growing up. It was no secret that I was reluctant as the family holidays approached. It wasn't discussed, but it wasn't so much avoided either. We survived Halloween and passed with flying colors, it was a test run however. Dipping our toes in the water, so to speak.

Camila left notes in my locker practically every day since October had started. They were costume ideas. The entire school knew about us at that point so it meant we were expected to have stellar matching costumes. Well, Camila expected us to. I knew what we were going to be, I just waited until the last possible minute to tell her or else she'd back out.

We reverted back to our middle school selves on mischief night and stealthily made our way to the Malik house with some shaving cream and toilet paper safely in our backpacks. We were ninjas in the night as we decorated his truck in all white. The following day at school was spent hiding our smiles and claiming innocence when interrogated. Camila didn't need to know that I put all the blame on Shawn.

Halloween was on a Friday that year and it was spent perfecting our costumes. Well, Camila perfecting the costumes while I snuck pieces of candy from the black caldron in the hallway.

"Lauren Jauregui, if I see you take one more Snickers, you'll pay."

"How do you even know?" I asked with a mouthful of nougat.

She ignored me, "Those are for the children later."

"You spoil the children."

"I spoil you."

It was true and I had no argument.

I settled on eating the cookies Camila baked the night prior, only after convincing her that no child in their right mind would take baked goods from a house on Halloween.

"Sweetheart, have you always tried to give children cookies on Halloween?"

Her lips moved up and down with pure confusion on her face, "Maybe that's why so many kids run away yelling stranger danger."

I laughed softly as I moved closer to her and wrapped my arms around her neck, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't laugh, but that's so sad."

"Well not everyone, Jacob Ben Israel takes a cookie," she reasoned.

I leveled her with one of my are you serious? looks and she nodded, "You're absolutely right."

She pouted and I simply couldn't have that.

"If we were a couple that was trying to kidnap children via tasty treats, we'd surely get the most kids based on how amazing these cookies are."

Her smile brightened and she leaned forward to meet my lips before pulling back, "Why do I taste peanut butter on your lips? Did you find my secret stash!"

"No, of course not!" I backed away from her slowly.

"Lauren?"

"You can't be mad at me."

She shrieked when she saw the empty wrappers next to the caldron.

I winced as she turned her glare on me, "I have a really bad sweet tooth, candy is my kryptonite."