Five Against One

Sleigh Rides

Chapter 23

Harry pulls me into the kitchen and smiles.

"Alright grab the cookies, the chocolate milk, glasses, and some popcorn." he says and I nod.

"Ok, I'll be right back."

Harry rushes into the living room and I grab the food. I place the bag of popcorn in the microwave and let it cook. Something clatters to the ground and I cringe.

"Sorry!" Harry yells from the living room.

"That's ok!" I yell back as the microwave dings.

I pour the popcorn into a larger bowl and walk into the living room, finding Harry placing a disk into the DVD player.

"What are we watching?" I ask and he smiles.

"Buddy the Elf! What's your favorite color?" he says.

"What?" I ask.

"Bye Buddy! Hope you find your dad! Thanks Mr. Narwhal."

"Um, Harry, what are you talking about?" I ask and he frowns.

"We're watching Elf." he says and I nod.

"What's that about?" I ask.

He groans. I bite my lip and look at the ground. God Alex, why are you so stupid? Maybe this is why everyone frikin' hates you! Because you ask the stupidest questions all the time! I place my hands behind my back and stay quiet.

"You've really never seen Elf?" he asks.

"N-No, uh, I'm sorry." I say quietly.

"Why?" he asks.

I shake my head and frown running a hand through my hair.

"It's just I'm so stupid, I haven't even seen a classic Christmas movie, I mean I'm just not even worth your time." I say with a big sigh.

"No Alex, you're not stupid. It's not really a classic, it's just funny to watch. Don't worry, please." he says rubbing my arms for reassurance.

"Ok." I say quietly, a weight lifted off my shoulders.

"Now get ready to laugh Alex." he says and we take a seat on the couch.

He presses play and we start watching. I watch the movie intently, laughing and smiling. I feel a shift on the couch and notice Harry scooched closer. I look over and see him smiling at the screen.

Harry laughs loudly and I look at the screen. Buddy just jumped onto the Christmas tree. I let a small chuckle out and Harry looks at me. He puts his hands out with a smile on his face, dimples popping up.

"What?" I ask.

"Come on Alex! Let loose! You're not even laughing!" he says.

"Well, I'm just, I don't know I'm tense." I say shrugging my shoulders.

Harry sighs and falls back into the couch covering his eyes.

Oh no. He hates me. He's gonna leave.

He springs forward and I jump a little bit. He snaps his head towards me with his eyes bright.

"I have an idea!" he says loudly before standing up.

"What?" I ask.

"Come on! Come on!" he says pulling me up from the couch.

He drags me to the front door and makes me put on all of my winter gear. So does he.

"Come on! Come on!" he says pulling me out to the car.