Problems Under the Mistletoe

Chapter 8

*December 19*

I smiled as I sat down on the couch and closed my eyes, listening to the sounds of many people crammed into one house. To me, it meant that the holidays were here and getting closer with every passing day.

"Hey," a voice greeted right before I felt the couch dip on both sides of me.

I opened my eyes to see Darcy and Kim on either side of me and I greeted them too. "Hello."

"So, how are you and Devan holding up?" Kim asked.

I sighed and looked into my lap, remembering that I kept things quiet at thanksgiving. "Um, we are no longer holding anything any more."

The both looked at me with shock all over their faces. Last they knew, Devan and I were happily dating and, according to Darcy who couldn't help herself, would be married before our twentieth birthday. However, since the incident, I hadn't told anyone what had happened until they just started asking about it.

"Honey," Darcy cooed, wrapping an arm around my shoulder, "what happened?"

With that, I told them everything, from the good days that we had, to Eva spotting him and the girl, and to me accusing him. They agreed with me at first, but when I told them about Devan's side of the story, they felt bad for him, and me too but mostly for him. They knew I had trust issues and they loved me, but they felt bad for anyone that fell in my path.

"So he told you it was over and doesn't want to work it out?" Kim asked.

I nodded and sighed. "Now I've really messed up with a guy that I think I'm in love with and we can't even talk to each other anymore with out it being awkward."

They didn't know what to say, or at least that's what I think was going through their heads. The twins didn't say anything else, just sat there with me and contemplated life.

Finally, Darcy stated, "That's why I'm giving up love. I'm scared of messing it up with someone I love." Then she got up and walked away.

My phone vibrated in my pocket later as my family was getting around to setting up for Christmas. I laughed at Kyle, who was being a goofball by cracking cheesy puns about Christmas, and pulled out my phone to see a text from Eva.

Eva:

Hey! I was wondering if you wanted to hang out today?

Me:

Actually, I was going to decorate with my family today. Do you want to join me? You can meet my cousins!

Eva:

Sure lol. I'll be over in a few.

I smiled and looked up at my cousins. I really hoped they would like each other. Then another text came through.

Collins:

Hey I'm trying to get Devan out of the house. Is it okay if we come over?

Me:

As long as you are okay with lot's of people and Christmas decorations...

Collins:

Sounds perfect! We'll be over in a few.

More people to add to the craziness.

Both came over in the amount of time they promised and our team of decorators increased by three. I smiled at Devan when he came in the door and he smiled at me too, but stayed quiet. I finally had the opportunity to introduce my family to more of my friends.

"Guys!" I called for my cousins. Once they were here, I continued. "These are my friends. You already know Devan." I paused as everyone greeted him, asking him how he's been and and what he's been to. "This is his brother Collins, and my really good friend, Eva."

I listed off everyone's name to Collins and Eva and watched as they greeted each other. There was so much happening that I had to step out but I caught little things from the sidelines. Things like Kyle holding Eva's hand for a little longer, Darcy being a little too polite with Collins which meant that she was refraining from something about him. I smiled secretly to myself and began planning how I would get Darcy and Kyle out renouncing love.

Setting up was stressful as usual with my mom trying to tell people where everything went, guide the men in putting up the Christmas tree, and keeping the hunger of the kids at bay. We tried to make the kids play in the playroom, but when we mentioned that, they wanted to play in the snow that had just fallen last night. There had been a blizzard and we had probably a good five inches on the ground. With that in mind, my dad rushed all the kids outside, even going to help the kids get their gear on, and pushed them out the door.

Once all the decoration for the house were set in their spots, my cousins, friends and I sat back for a little bit while the adults set up my family's fake tree. Knowing my friend and wanting to show him off, I picked up a deck of cards and brought it over to Collins. He grinned up at me once he knew what I meant and took it, taking out that cards and flipping them with his fingertips. I glanced over at Darcy and just like I wanted, she was watching him carefully. Then, Collins began to wow us with his magic.

He did a routine that he uses for lots of people and my cousins flipped out. Even after he finished and we were called to help decorate the tree, Darcy convinced Collins to stay with her on the couch and show her more magic.

Kim and I admired them from afar. He would do a few tricks, amazing her, then flip the cards with his fingertips again, making her giggle and her hand chase after them, but she was always too slow. They were both laughing and eventually, he was trying to rack his brain for more tricks for her. Darcy begged to know how he did them and even though he told her he couldn't tell, he broke and showed her a simple trick, teaching her how to do it.

"Wow..." Devan laughed as he walked up beside me. "I've never see him give out his tricks to anyone, besides his video on YouTube. I'm the only one who knows his tricks."

I looked at him and he glanced back at me. We smiled genuinely at each other for a moment before Kim spoke.

"We need to get them together. They are adorable. Darcy's falling and she doesn't even know it yet."

Devan and I nodded, glancing at Kim, all of us giving each other a knowing look. As I looked at Kim, something caught my eye from behind her.

Naomi and Harley were sitting together at the kitchen bar, laughing and talking about who-knows-what. Whatever they were talking about, they were really enjoying it and it made me smile.

A/N: So I wasn't actually sure how much anyone would like to read my stuff and I wasn't planning on finishing this but I saw your comment and decided to publish the rest of the story :)

- G