My Friend Justin

Chapter Twenty Eight

Chapter Twenty Eight

December

A small, light snowflake fluttered through the wind, landing on the tip of my nose, making me grow cross-eyed and scrunching up my features at the temperature. Ah, it was finally here, Christmas was only in a couple of days. The past couple of months had just flied past, not much really going on. My scrapbook was slowly increasing in thick-ness, photos of me, Austin and Justin just doing weird poses together as we hadn’t really done anything significant. We finally got to meet Amy and talk to Scooter about a possible record deal for her. She was over the moon. Seriously, she wouldn’t stop buzzing around about it; I was so excited for her. But now she’s gone back to her state whilst waiting to hear from producers hopefully in the New Year, which Justin and I look forward too. It’s nice we are able to make friends with people who aren’t even from around here. But now, in just a few days we’ll be celebrating what we’ve been building up to. Thank the lord.

“Ashleigh? What are you doing outside at this time of night? Get in you dopey cow!” Mom yelled at me from the back door.

Well I’m glad everyone’s in a festive mood.

Sighing, I trudge back into the house, passing a huffing mom on the way, her arms folded across her chest in a way as if to say “What am I gonna do with you?”

I gave her a cheeky grin before slinking up to my room.

Bright silver wrapping paper was leant against my wardrobe door, various presents I had yet to wrap up, next to it. For mom, I’d gotten her Justin’s new album, a perfume, some bath stuff and a dressing gown that I’m sure she’ll be content with. Justin’s ugly Christmas sweater was draped across the floor. It still made me giggle how disgusting it looked, a mix of different green and red patterns and snowflakes, looking like it had been made by a color-blinded seal or something. But that’s just a silly present, I also bought him a loop machine because he always used to go on about how he wants one but never got round to getting one.

Now, for Austin it was quite difficult, as I didn’t really know what he would want. In the end, I got him a chain and hat from Jordan, hoping he’d like it. He always seems to be wearing that type of basketball clothing so fingers crossed he’ll like it. I’m not seeing him until after Christmas though, so I have enough time to return it if doesn’t meet the approval of Justin.

Outside, the sky was pitch black apart from the flurry of snowflakes hurrying by, making a rush of anticipation start to rise in my stomach. Tomorrow it’s going be all over the ground. I grinned stupidly at myself before realising my curtains were still open, meaning that my neighbours could definitely see in.

Sure enough, the little brat next door had his forehead against the opposite window, visibly laughing his ass off at my facial expressions. Yay.

I refrained from throwing rude gestures at him by taking all my embarrassment out on the curtains, yanking them shut. They almost ripped off the hook, which would have just been the cherry on top of the cake.

I lay in bed, glancing over at my advent calendar. Only two days to go until it’s all here. I’d already eaten all the candy out of the boxes, last night I had the urge and may have binged on chocolate slightly. To make sure mom didn’t notice, I pushed the cardboard windows back in so they looked brand new. I stared longingly at the empty box, but quickly snapped out of it. Focus Ash.

I swept the covers up to my chin, closing my eyes slowly and breathing in deeply. In the last few days running up to Christmas, I can never sleep. Even though I’m supposed to be more grown up now, I still can’t wait to see what presents I’ll get on Christmas day. Also, every year Justin and his whole family come round, or we’ll go round theirs for the evening which is always great fun. This year, my mother and I are hosting so she’s working her butt off cleaning everything in time for the day.