Ice

Chapter Three

I got home at about 12:00, after we ate lunch. I entered my house and we immediately met with the sound of Aaron, my little brother, crying. I ran to him, and wrinkled my nose. Gross. He needed to get his diaper changed. I carried him out of his high chair and up the stairs to his changing station. I quickly changed him and put him in his crib with his favorite rattle.

I heard the front door open, then a loud bang.

"Mom?" I question timidly. The only time mom slams the door is when she's either stressed, or angry. I run down the stairs only to be met with a frantic mother and a very red-faced little brother.

"Hey, mom," I said, "Is Andie okay?" She nodded, but I wasn't completely convinced. Andie didn't look too okay. I stepped towards him and questioned him. "What's wrong, monkey?" I questioned. I call him that because he had a huge obsession with monkeys when he was three years old. Andie stepped towards me and whispered, "I lost my favorite ring, the silver one with the engraving on it, and Mommy's gonna be mad when she finds out." I smiled sympathetically at him. "I'll cover for you when she finds out," I whispered back and he grins. "Thanks Al," he murmurs, then runs upstairs. I smile and turn back towards my mother.

I stepped towards the baby carrots that she had just pulled out of a grocery bag. When I reached for the orange vegetables, she smacked my hands away.

"No! Those are for dinner tonight. You have to wait," mom ordered. I wrinkled my brows in confusion. Mom never cares about what we eat and when we eat it. Mother must have noticed my confused stare, because she clarified her unusual behavior.

"Aspen and Avalon are coming over for dinner tonight, and I don't want you to spoil your appetite," she breathed while taking out the fish that she was going to cook. Avalon's a pescatarian.

I squealed with delight. Aspen, my older brother, and his girlfriend Avalon don't usually visit, as they're both busy with work. They just got out of medical school, and are doctors at a teaching hospital. I jumped up and down and practically flew upstairs to find something to wear.

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At about 6:00, the doorbell was heard throughout the house. "Al, honey could you get that?" my mom yelled from her room. "And take the macaroni out of the oven too, okay sweetie?" she shouted. I ran downstairs and opened the door. When I saw Aspen, I practically leapt into his arms.

"Aspen!" I squealed. "Hey little sister! I missed you," He gushed. I detached myself from him and gave Avalon a huge hug. "Hey, Al. Where's everyone else?" she questioned, stepping into the house. "Still getting ready," I replied leading them toward the living room. "I'll be right back you guys," I told them as I ran upstairs to alert everyone else of their arrival. When they were aware that the couple was finally here, they ran downstairs and dog piled onto them. Choruses of "Aspen!" and "Avalon!" were heard all around.

After everyone had finished greeting the two, we sat in the dinig room, and got ready to eat.

"Mmmm. Everything is so good Andrea," Avalon complemented mom. Mom smiled sweetly and thanked her.

"So Aspen, honey, how is work?" Mom questioned. Aspen swallowed his mouthful of tilapia, then answered. "Great! We had a patient with appendicitis, who Avalon diagnosed, and I got to perform the surgery!" he said, smiling lovingly at his girlfriend. I pretended to gag at their sickeningly sweet behavior, and Aspen glared at me, while Aiden, Andie, and Ashlyn laughed.

"Anyone want dessert?" mom asked when we finished dinner. "Sure, mom. But first, I want to do something," said Aspen. Then he grabbed Avalon's hand and went down on one knee while the rest of us watched in awe and glee.

"Avalon Trisha McMatthews, you've been my girlfriend for 3 years, and my best friend for all my life. You've been there for me through thick and thin, and you've never, ever abandoned me. I know that this is gonna sound really cheesy, but you've saved me from myself." The rest of us were bursting at the seams because of this adorable display of affection, while Avalon just sat there, slack-jawed.

"I will never be able to express how much I love you, or how grateful I am to have you in my life. And though I'm the surgeon, you sewed my heart back together whenever it was broken. You've been my best friend for 26 years, now will you be my wife for the rest of eternity?" Aspen asked, his eyes shining.

Avalon stared at him with tears running down her face. He stood up, looking concerned after she hadn't spoken, or even moved for a full thirty seconds.

"Ave, will you marry me?" he asked with a small worried look. Avalon jumped up and threw herself onto him, making him stumble back a little bit.

"Yes," she choked out through her tears. "Yes, Aspen! I love you so much," she croaked. Aspen grinned an spun her around. "I love you too, baby," he murmured and slipped the ring onto her left ring finger while we clapped and whistled.

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A few hours after the proposal, Aspen and Avalon left to go home. They spent the entire night attempting to keep their hands off of each other. Although I was happy for them, it was kind of sickening.

It was 11 o' clock, so I took a quick shower, and scrubbed my face of makeup. When I was finally in my pajamas and in bed, I got a text from someone.

Hi. Are u up?

Their name in my contacts was "The Winter Wonderland" so I didn't know who it was. How had I even gotten their number?

Who is this? I replied.

This is the Winter Wonderland

Whoever this person was, it was obviously a joke, or a prank. Although I still can't figure out how they'd gotten my number, or how I'd gotten theirs. I decided to ignore them, and he some sleep.

Just as I'd begun to fall asleep, my phone alerted me that I had gotten a text. Then another. Then another. Then another. And they kept coming. I rolled over and groaned. It was 1:00 in the morning! Who in the mashed potato was texting me? I checked my phone, and it practically blinded me. When I'd turned my brightness down, I saw that I had twenty new texts. Twenty! and the were all from The Snow Mobile. Then I got a call. From The Snow Mobile.

"Who is this and what the hell do you want?" I hissed. "Well. Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed," the person chuckled. "That's because I don't want to be up yet. Now who is this?" I said, my annoyance audible.

"Jesse."

After hearing that name, I felt so many emotions. First surprise, then confusion, and finally, anger.

"What the hell? Why are you blowing up my phone at 1:00 in the freaking morning? What's wrong with you? You do realize that tomorrow is Monday, right? Haven't you ever heard of sleep? Golly, what do I have to do to get some time to freakin' sleep?" I grumbled.

By the time I'd finished my rant, Jesse was in hysterics. Along with four others. I narrowed my eyes. "Was this some kind of joke? A dare?" I questioned, and they all sobered up. "Just tell her. She's already guessed," a voice that sounded eerily familiar whispered. "Jaxon?!" I almost screamed, then remembered to keep my voice down. "Shit," he cursed under his breath.

"Hey, Alysson," he said guiltily. "What in the hell possessed you to dare Jesse to wake me up and annoy me at this time? What are you even doing up at this time?" I questioned, surprised at how calm my voice was.

"Um... Well, you see, we-" he started but I cut him off.

"You know what? I don't wanna know. Just don't call or text or attempt to contact me in any way until after 7 am, unless you want to end up in the hospital with an ice skate up your ass. Got it? Good. Have a horrible night!" I chirped, then hung up. This is why I hate people.

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Hiya guys! New Chapter! I hope you like it :) Lots of Love, Micks