Problems Under the Mistletoe

Chapter 7

*December 18*

I opened my eyes but immediately closed them again when the sun hit them. Attempting to roll over, I heard a groan from next to me and this time, opened my eyes comfortably. Next to me, Kim was sleeping in for the first time ever. I smiled at her and looked over to the window seat where Darcy was fitted comfortably on the cushion. Naomi was sitting on my huge beanbag where she had slept and was staring up at the ceiling.

Naomi was very pretty. She had clear skin, though I was beginning to see a tiny red spot forming by her nose. She had dark brown hair with a caramel ombre and it accented her features perfectly. Her grey-blue eyes held lots of fun, but also a multitude of thought and maybe a little bit of hurt. It made me want to pull her close and make her feel as comfortable and safe as possible.

Because of that, I whispered to her, "Good morning, Naomi."

Naomi's eyes flew down to mine and she smiled. "Good morning."

"Are you ready for breakfast?"

When she nodded, we both got up from our places and walked down the stairs where the parents were having their cups of coffee and toast. We greeted all of them and I asked what was for breakfast.

"There's toast and bagels sitting out on the counter. I haven't gone to the store for holiday groceries yet so we are sort of skimping by until after lunch." My mom answered.

I nodded and turned to Naomi. "How about we just go out and grab stuff for a real breakfast?"

"Like what?" She asked, walking back up the stairs to change.

"I'm thinking about either waffles or getting good quality French toast. Which one sounds the best?" I asked her as I grabbed some clothes.

Immediately, she responded, "why not both?"

I giggled as we quietly stepped out of my room and replied, "I like the way you think! Both it is!"

Once we were both dressed, I grabbed my keys, told my parents I was leaving, and walked out to my car with Naomi by my side.

"So, Naomi," I began, starting up my worn Buick. "What's your favorite kind of music?"

She smiled as my radio came on, playing today's country music. "I actually like old music. Sort of like nineties music and early two thousands. The best artists came from that time frame."

I laughed as we pulled away from my house and said, "Harley would agree with you. He loves The Beetles and stuff like that."

"The Beetles are so good! My favorite, though, is (band name). I'll have to remember to talk to him about music." She replied.

I nodded and said, "He is the music fanatic of the family. If anyone has a question about any kind of music, he's the one we go to."

She laughed and replied, "That's the way it is with my family, too."

We walked into the store and made a beeline for the frozen food section. Naomi trailed after me, not knowing this store like I did. She was pretty chatty once you got her going but she seemed to keep remembering something and if I didn't keep her mind off of it, she would stop talking, sometimes pretty suddenly. Just now, she wasn't saying a word.

"So your sister is in Africa?" I asked her, hoping to learn something about why she was being super quiet.

She nodded and smiled, her face lighting up with pride. "Yes. She worked very hard in on of her nursing classes and her professor gave her the opportunity to travel over there for Christmas break - well, winter break. I will never get used to that! - and she took it as soon as he offered it. She's going over to help lots of people. That's her passion and she's so good at what she does."