Emails: From You To Me

23

"Hon, what do you say about having a New Year's celebration?" By the time I'd noticed, Christmas passed in a pinch and the second half of my senior year was coming to an end. 

"Like... a party?" I gulped hard. I was never good with interactions, plus this was short notice. It's already December 29th! Ever since dad left, mom has never hosted another New Years party. The smile on her face brings back memories, and it's too hard to say no. 

"Yes! A party!" She smacked her hand against the calendar. 

"Sounds great." 

"Really?" 

"If you want to host a party, you'd better get to those phone calls!" I tossed her the home phone and she caught it hesitantly. She stared at it for a minute before jumping with joy. 

"Let's hope it's not a full house." I whispered and snuck away to my room. I wonder if she'll let me invite Matthew over? If I do, will he bring Lauren along? They might have plans of their own, maybe I shouldn't bother.

Hey

The notification almost made my heart stop. 

Hi

I know its late but can you let me crash at your place? I'll pay you back big time later

Crash? What happened?

I'll explain the details later cos its freezing out here

Give me a minute

Crash? Does that mean he's asking to stay over? It's strangely close to New Years too, this is too coincidental! It might also be my chance... but what if my mom says no? She was in a good mood all day too, I don't want it spoiled because of me. My nerves started to take over so I reread the messages, he wasn't outside already was he? 

"Mom?" I called, though I interrupted her multiple phone calls she seemed to answer right away. 

"You too Sammy. Yes?" 

"I have this friend who wants to stay over tonight, is that alright?" 

"Tonight? Right now?" 

"I think so." 

She sighed, dialed another number, then gave me the okay. I ran up the stairs as quickly as I could to my laptop hoping he was still there. 

Are you still here?

Yep.

It's okay. Where are you?

Great. I'm almost at your street actually, I'm at the sign. 

I'll go open the door then. 

Thanks.

In a rush, I made my messy bed and tossed whatever clothes lying around into a basket. Finally,  I slipped on fuzzy socks and raced towards the door. I opened it, but he wasn't here yet. It was freezing! While I waited, I turned on our Keurig machine on to make him some hot cocoa. By the time it was finished, he arrived at the door, pale and covered in snow. 

"Honey, where are your clothes at?" My mom answered the door as I walked out of the kitchen. Matthew froze at the question before his cheeks formed a smile. 

"I'm sorry for disturbing the peace," He chuckled. "But this is the largest jacket I own." It was actually the hoodie that he wears almost everyday. 

"You're not disturbing the peace. Come in, come in. You're all red." My mom forced him in and closed the door behind him. Looking over to me, I shrugged my shoulders, I couldn't save him from my mom's motherly instincts. 

"I'm Heather, call me whatever you like. If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask, okay? I'm just a few doors away making a few phone calls." By the time she said so, Matthew was bundled up in blankets by a heater drinking hot chocolate.  

"Thank you." Once she walked away, I jumped into the pile of blankets as well. 

"Well so, that was my mom. A second time." I chuckled nervously. 

"It's cool, I'm lucky she's just that nice to me." He laughed and I remembered all of the times he came over before. Out of each of those times, has my mom only been here once to say hello? 

"Guess that's true." I laughed with him, not sure what was really funny. His smile just made me want to smile too. 

"So Chief Congenial, what have you been up to since the last time I've been here?" He cozied up next to me, but the skin that touched mine was still as cold as ice. 

"Actually, my mom and I are having a New Years celebration."

"Like a party?" 

"Yeah, I wanted to invite you over but you're already here." I gave a nervous laugh, the conversation was running dry. He was quiet for a moment. 

"Lucky for me then," There was a soft snore. "I'd go anywhere you'd ask." I decided not to bother him for the rest of the night. Seeing the state that he came here in, I'll ask him all about it when he wakes up. 

Seeing him sleep so peacefully puts my mind at ease. 

Ring Ring Ring~ Ring Ring Ring~

I groaned and opening my eyes quickly, I answered the phone call. "Hello? I rubbed my eye, and ended the annoying phone call. 

"Come help me, I have groceries." It was my mom. "I'm outside, so hurry up you two."

Both of us? I looked over to Matthew who was still fast asleep under the blankets, I hadn't even realized I fell asleep as well! I nearly forgot that he even came over altogether, it felt too much like a dream. 

I ran upstairs to grab my jacket and by the time I came back Matthew was awake and stretching in place. 

"H-hey, g-good morning. I h-hope you don't mind helping out with the groceries." 

"Yeah, no problem." He yawned, before also proceeding to the door. 

Great... just a great way to start a morning.