The Benefits Project ; phan au

5 ; The Hickey

meow meow meow mother fuckers

#5

The tree was stood in the corner of the room where my dad was trying to get it to stand up efficiently. Christmas carols were blaring in the background as Louise and I swayed as Tilly sang along to 'Jingle Bells'. My mum laughed as she walked in on us holding a tray with five mugs of hot chocolate on which were overflowing with whipped cream. She handed us each a mug each, Louise thanking her before licking some of the cream off the top of the mug giggling. Our whole street was covered in Christmas lights ranging from angels, trees, bells and wreaths. On the front of each door was a different wreath. Our wreath had some mistletoe and berries on. On our small front lawn we had a relatively small reindeer which lit up but most of the lights were in our windows.

"I didn't think you'd be helping us put the decorations up Louise," my mum said putting my dad's mug on the bookshelf beside him.

"I'm sorry if I caused you any trouble Hilly," Louise said timidly.

"Oh no, dear it's completely fine, I love that Dan is having a friend over!" my mum replied cheerfully.

Louise blushed.

"Thank you Hilly."

I licked my lips as I finished eating all of the cream on my hot chocolate before taking a sip of the steaming liquid. My dad seemed to be giving me looks every now and then which seem to be like he's telling me to make some sort of 'move' on Louise. I just sighed and shook my head in which he replied with a playful pout which made the corners of my lips tug slightly. It was finally the Christmas holidays and Tilly was literally bouncing off the walls with excitement – especially about our skiing holiday. I'd decided Louise was going to come over rather than anyone else after school so I was in a relatively good move before Phil turned up so we could carry on with our project. My mum suggested him sleeping over again and I refused at first. Then she interrogated me why it would be a bad idea for him to sleepover. At that point I had asked her whether she thought he was a bad influence anymore.

"Daniel, he seems much nicer than I remember him being, you can't hold me against what I said when you were eleven forever you know," my mum told her, her hands on her hips.

"I was just saying," I said rolling my eyes.

"Don't roll your eyes at me Daniel!" my mum scolded. "That's it, I'm going to call Liz and ask her whether Phil would like to sleep over again or not. You seem to be getting on with Phil a lot recently so I'm going to be a good mother and endure your social life."

Ha, social life my ass, I didn't want Phil spending the night here but he was unfortunately, despite how unnecessary it was of my mum. She had give me the purely worst start to the holidays. I sat on the sofa next to a box of decorations, sipping at my hot drink. I suddenly felt Tilly tugging at my long sleeves on my black jumper.

"C'mon you turnip get up and decorate the tree with me!" Tilly moaned. "Stop being a lazy bum!"

I laughed and put my mug down on the coffee table. Tilly dragged me to my feet. Louise giggled as Tilly took her hand too.

"C'mon Louise, can you help me put this on the tree?" she said flashing her puppy eyes.

"Oh Tilly, of course I'll help you," Louise giggled lifting up Tilly so she could place a red bauble higher on the tree. I took a few baubles and placed them on the tree in various distances as my parents were jazzing to 'Rock around the Christmas tree'. I felt myself go red as I saw them.

"Oh Dan don't be so embarrassed," my dad teased.

My mum stopped dancing and grabbed my cheeks, and pushed her lower lip out.