Long Distance

Christmas.

[Ethan]

"Merry Christmas!" My door bursts open making my eyes snap open in panic only to see Rachel holding a box in her hands. I groan pulling my sheets over my head.

"Get up!" She yanks my sheets off, and she hands me the box. I sit up rubbing my tired eyes before standing from my bed and walking to my closet. I move a stack of clothing from the top shelf to reveal a smaller,neatly wrapped gift box with Rachel's name on it.

"Here ya go," I place my gift into her hand. "Open it."

She gives me a confused look while she rips the wrapping paper. She looks down at the white Pandora box before looking up at me with wide eyes.

I grin when she opens the box and gasps at the sight of the bracelet.

"It's so cute!" She squeals.

"Look at the charm," I tell her. She looks at the half-heart charm, reading the back engraving which read Best and she chuckles  at the writing before I speak up.

"It wouldn't be a real friendship bracelet without another half would it?" I reach over my bed, opening my bedside drawer and pulling out the necklace with the missing piece on it. I turn the charm over showing her the writing on the back, but this time it said Friends.

"You're so cheesy," she cringes, smiling after. "Okay now open yours!"

I pull the wrapping paper off revealing a rectangular gift box. I open it, a black Adidas symbol being the first thing I see.

I pull out the clothing seeing the maroon Adidas hoodie and smile at the matching grey one underneath.

"These are exactly what I needed," I smile pulling the grey one over my head and tugging it on and seeing that it was my size. "Thank you."

[Aria]

I rush down stairs and inhale the smell of my mom's famous cinnamon spice pancakes that she only makes on Christmas.

Mason left to go to his moms house since he's been spending most of his time with me since he got here. My family and his mother would come over later tonight and then we would start the gift exchange.

"Merry Christmas!" I hug my mother from behind and she laughs. I haven't been spending much time with her lately because of her work schedule and I'm just so glad to have her here.

"Merry Christmas!" She plants a kiss on my forehead before turning back to the pancakes, my stomach already grumbling in hunger.

"I made you some peppermint hot chocolate, it's on the table." I hum in satisfaction and sit down to check my messages and wish everyone a Merry Christmas. The first message is from Mason.

Merry Christmas babe, I love you so much <3 see you soon

I send a text back before devouring the short stack of pancakes that was placed in front of me.

After finishing my breakfast, I headed back to my room having some last minute touches to make to my gifts. I had picked Madison's name for our annual secret Santa and I was excited to give her her gift. I reached under my bed feeling around for the other squared box before pulling it out. The white and gold, striped paper was neatly wrapped around it and there was a tag on the corner with Mason written on it. I had to say this was the gift I was most nervous for. I had always been one to give Mason sneakers or clothing, but this year was different.

I placed both gifts into a large gift bag and set it next to my door before deciding to get ready for lunch at Matthew's house. He had volunteered to host the party this year since his family got a new fireplace and he wanted a "movie scene Christmas"- whatever that meant.