It's Always You- Bryles

3. Oranges and Feather Boas

I hauled the bag with all my Christmas presents downstairs. It was the night of Christmas Eve, and my mum had instructed us all to bring our wrapped presents to put under the Christmas tree in the hallway. Ryan had also finally arrived, because he couldn't be here yesterday. As we all walked through the hallway- one by one- and stacked our presents, I tried to spot any packages with my name on it.

"No peeking," I felt a hand on my shoulder and heard Bri's voice as she guided me away from the tree.

"Aww," I playfully moaned, sitting down on the couch next to her. On my left was my 6-year-old brother, Kingsley, who I quickly wrapped my arms around and pulled onto my lap. Me and Bri tickled him until he was physically unable to breath, and then let him take his seat again.

"Leave your brother alone, you two," Mum rolled her eyes, before scolding Tyson for annoying Abbey.

"I'm just messing with her," Tyson poked her as she squirmed away, fighting back a smile and making everyone laugh.

"Ok, we're gonna play some games now." Mum began.

"And these are games King invented, so you know they're going to be good," Ryan joked.

"King, why don't you explain." Mum smiled.

"Ok, everyone get into pairs," my brother ordered. Knowing if I chose Briar, that I wouldn't hear the end of it, I was going to partner up with Abbey. However, Tyson quickly paired with her, and Ryan with Mum, leaving me no option. I didn't mind though, Bri was my best friend. I just hoped nothing would be awkward.

She smiled at me as I shuffled closer to her, replicating her smile and looking at my bro to indicate that we were ready.

"So, for the first game, I'm gonna need 3 oranges," Kingsley Asked Mum, who went and got what I assumed were three satsumas left over from the stockings. She handed them to him with a confused expression. Good to know she was as bewildered as we were.

"Each pair needs an orange," King purposefully placed an orange into my outstretched hand and moved on to Tyson.

"So you're going to balance the orange between both you and your partner's foreheads, and you have to run from the couch to the TV and back without letting the orange fall."

"Yeah one small problem," I interrupted him, looking down at Briar. "Bri's like a foot shorter than me, how's this going to work."

"Make it work," Kingsley shrugged, continuing. "Whoever finishes first wins."

At once everyone began messing with the oranges and trying to balance them. Awkwardly clutching my satsuma, I turned to face Bri, who was grinning with amusement.

"Ok, give me that," she took the orange from my grasp, before placing a hand underneath my chin. "Down," she pulled my face closer to hers and hunching my back. This brought back memories of this morning, making me slightly uncomfortable, but I pushed those thoughts aside and focused on the game.

As soon as we were close enough, she placed the orange in between the gap, the cool skin rough against my forehead. At once, it slipped from its precarious hold, falling to my nose. I quickly caught it, handing it back to Bri. "Come closer," I laughed at the stupidity of this all as she leaned forward. She closed the minimal gap between us with the darn fruit, and after 3 times of readjustment, it finally stayed somewhat securely.

Trying not to move my head, I let my eyes dart around the room. Both pairs were at the same stage as us. I noticed Tyson was lifting Lifting Abbey though, equally their heights. That's hardly fair.

"You can't lift Abbey!" I expressed my thoughts. It felt weird to talk to him but be staring at Bri instead.

"Fine," I heard my him grumble as I saw him out put down from the corner of my eye.