Two (Countdown Book 5)

Chapter 16

"Eli?" Mackenzie waved a hand in front of my face. "Eli?"

"Huh?" I asked, still staring into the distance. She took my chin in one hand and turned my head around to face her.

"Stop thinking about it." she said sternly. "Don't think about the future. It'll happen when it happens. You can't change that."

"When did you get wise?" I sighed. "Fine. Consider it forgotten."

"Good," she smiled and kissed me softly. "Because I'm looking forward to today."

I looked up at my parent's house, covered in Christmas decorations. Today was December the twenty-fifth. Mackenzie's dad was working overtime, so my mum had agreed that she could spend Christmas around ours. "Me too." I admitted. "Though it's a shame your dad couldn't make it, too."

Mackenzie laughed. "Yeah, he really wants to meet you. Y'know, give you the talk."

"The talk?" I asked dumbly.

"Yeah, the one were he says that if you hurt me, he'll kill you."

I swallowed. "Oh." I said. "That talk." She just laughed again.

"I'll tell him to be nice." she said.

I rolled my eyes. "P-lease. I've fought a dinosaur. I can handle myself."

"Uh huh." she smirked at me. "Can we go inside? It's freezing in here."

I glanced outside the car window. Snow coated the street like a fluffy blanket of cotton, so soft and delicate. Inside the car, it was pretty cold, because the heater wasn't working. I felt my body erupt in goosebumps and a shiver ran through me.

"Sure." I said. Although I'd never admit it to anyone, I was nervous. This would be the first time Mackenzie met my family, and I didn't want it to go wrong.

We got out of the car, and the cold air immediately found any bit of my skin not covered up. Snow was drizzling down like the sky had a huge case of dandruff. As the snow began to settle on my hair and my clothes, I glanced over at Mackenzie.

She didn't wear dresses often, so she looked absolutely stunning in the black one she was wearing now. She was wearing a black coat, but still shivering in the cold winter snow. Her hair was a sheet of brown around her shoulders, flecked with little white snow flakes.

She suddenly caught me staring, and gave me a small smile.

Still shivering, we both made our way to the doorstep. When I knocked, the door was answered almost immediately by my dad. He smiled kindly as I introduced him and Mackenzie. Then, we all went inside because I could no longer feel my hands.

Inside, the kids were waiting for us. Becks and Izzy tackled me in a hug, while Abi just smiled tentatively at me. For a moment, I struggled to stand as two toddlers clung to my legs.

"Hey, guys." I said, putting my hand against the doorframe to steady myself. Then, I reached down and ruffled Becks' hair. "You being good?"

"We're monsters!" Becks proclaimed, roaring into my leg. Izzy roared too, though I wasn't sure if she knew why she was roaring. Abi just stared at me.

"Everyone," I said. "This is Mackenzie. Remember, the friend I said that I was bringing around."

Becks crinkled his nose. "You mean girlfriend?" he said, like having a girlfriend was worse than broccoli (and he seriously hates boccoli).

"Yes, Becks." I sighed, ignoring the angry red flare that lit my cheeks. "Mackenzie, this is Becks, Izzy and Abi." I said, gesturing to each of them in turn. Mackenzie smiled shyly and said 'hi' to each of them. "Mm, that smells good!" I said, heading towards the kitchen.