Ferris Wheel

Holiday Season

*4 months pass*

"A little to the right..." Lola said. I moved the star a smidge to the right on the tree. "Mm... to the left..."

"Lola I just-"

"To the left!" She smiled. I sighed and did as she asked. "Perfect!!" She squealed. "Okay I'm gonna go wrap presents at Jake's since I can't have you seeing your present, but can you make the cookies? You always make the best anything." She smiled. I nodded and stepped off the ladder and moved to the kitchen and poured myself some apple cider that was spiked with vodka in a glass.

"I'll make a few different things for when we have company." I said before taking a sip. She nodded and she went up to put her shoes on. I put my hair up in a bun and put on an apron before starting to measure the flour out for the cookies. I heard her open the door.

"Ew. What are you doing here?" Lola said.

"Who's here?!" I called.

"Always wonderful to see you too, Lola." I heard Ezra's voice. I peered out from the kitchen to see Lola blocking the way inside.

"In or out its fucking cold!" I yelled before moving back into the kitchen.

"Whatever, come inside, I'm going to Jake's." Lola said. The door closed and I heard Ezra kick off his shoes and take his coat off before making his way to the kitchen.

"Were you just nearby? I wasn't expecting you..." I  asked without looking up. He hugged me from behind.

"Mhm, I was at Jake's." He kissed my neck.

"Hey I have flour all over my apron you might want to be careful..." I smiled.

"I think I'll be okay..." he said before turning me around and kissing me softly. I kissed him back. "Mm, you taste like apple cider..." he whispered.

"That's because I've been drinking it since 8 this morning... and I'm only slightly buzzed..." I giggled.

"Mm, well I'll have what you're having if you're in this good of a mood." He smiled and kissed me again. I wrapped my arms around his neck as I kissed him back, my fingers tangling in his hair. I heard the door open again. 

"Ever do you know if we have any tape-?" I heard her coming towards the kitchen. I pushed him away from me as she came in and she looked to me and Ezra. "Why do you have flour in your hair and on your shirt?" She asked.

"I threw some at him..." I laughed. Lola nodded suspiciously.

"Okay... well do you know where the tape is?"

"Top of the fridge." I said. She nodded and got it before moving to leave again. I looked to Ezra who was trying not to laugh. I smiled before moving to the fridge. The front closed and Ezra hugged me from behind again. "Ezra I'm trying to bake cookies..." I smiled.

"And I'm trying to distract you while you make cookies... is it working?" He chuckled in my ear. I giggled slightly and nodded. "Good." He kissed my neck.

"Here how about once they are in the oven we can do whatever you want?" I said.

"Ooh that's a dangerous offer there, Ever..." he said. "I'll take it..." he said pulling away. I smiled and moved to finish making the dough for the cookies.

"Can you preheat the oven?" I asked. He nodded. "I think it's supposed to be at 350..." I said. He set it and then leaned against the counter and took a drink of my apple cider. I cut out shapes of cookie dough with candy cane, Christmas tree, Santa, and reindeer cookie cutters until I had no dough left. I had Ezra put the pans of cookies in the oven and take them out as they got done. I put the last pan in and I washed my hands and started cleaning up the flour.

"So what's your favorite thing to bake?" He asked.

"Hm. I like baking cakes so I can decorate them, but I also like baking sugar cookies so it's between those." I replied taking off my apron and washing my hands. He nodded and then wrapped his arms around me again.

"So what do you and Lola do for Christmas?"

"We exchange presents and watch movies, eat some take out and ice cream.... drink some apple cider or some wine."

"You don't hang out with family?"

"My family is all over the place on Christmas. My mom and step dad are out of town, so we typically have our Christmas on New Years Day." I reply before moving away from him to wash the dishes.

"Oh cool."

"I skipped out last year though."

"Why?"

"I had a major hangover and would not be able to be around my family in that state..." I laughed. He smiled softly. As I washed dishes he rinsed them and put them on a mat on the counter to dry. "What about you?"

"What about me?"

"What do you do for Christmas?"

"I spend time with my family in Michigan, I'm usually there till New Years Eve." He answered.

"Oh so you're leaving soon?" I didn't look to him. I didn't want him to be even further away than he normally was.

"Yeah..." he sighed slightly. I put the last dish in the other side of the sink for him to rinse before letting out the water and moving to wipe off all the counters to make sure nothing was left on them.

"Sounds like a blast." I faked a smile. I wanted him to think that I wasn't affected by him leaving. That I wasn't clinging onto him like some hopeless romantic. But in reality I hated the thought of him being so far away. I may not be his girlfriend, and maybe I'm just a fuck to him.... but the addict in me wants him by my side or as close as possible... he's my addiction.

"Yeah it is...." he sighed. "Kinda lonely though."

"Lonely? Aren't you surrounded by family?"

"Just because I'm surrounded by people doesn't mean I am not lonely. Being alone and being lonely are two different things..."

"I guess so.... why is it lonely?"

"I just see every one having their spouses and I'm there alone..." he sighed.

"Oh... yeah I get that..." He moved to my side. I looked up to him.

"Do you?" He asked. He was so close to my body. He wasn't touching me, but he was... hovering... almost as if he was teasing me, knowing full well, that I was expecting his touch and he was holding that back.

"I do..." I didn't break eye contact with him. His hand moved to my cheek, caressing the skin lightly. I briefly closed my eyes and as I opened them I saw him leaning in but he rested his forehead against mine.

"Ever..." he whispered softly. I loved the way my name rolled off his tongue...

"Yes?" I whispered back. He sighed slightly, brushing his nose against mine. His body pressed against mine and he moved to kiss my forehead sweetly, pulling me into a protective hug. I hesitated before wrapping my arms around his waist, burying my face into the crook of his neck. I felt... safe.