Silver

Chapter Thirty: Escaping into the Mind

"Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way," I hummed under my breath, as I placed another ornament on the Christmas tree. "Oh what fun it is to ride in a one horse-

"Ariel..." someone whispered in my ear causing me to scream and lose my balance on the chair I was standing on.

"I got you," my dad laughed, holding me secure before I toppled to the floor. "You have to be more careful, darling."

"But daddy," I whined, hugging him back. "It was your fault."

My dad let out one last chuckle before setting me carefully on the floor. "Always be on your toes, remember?"

"I know," I huffed, placing crossing my arms in front of my chest. "But I was busy. I think I deserve a break cuz it's almost Christmas."

My dad threw back his head and laughed before ruffling my hair, making it stick up everywhere. " I don't think so, Ariel. The enemies aren't going to stop attacking because it's Christmas. You always have to be careful."

"I know," I said in exasperation, looking at my dad with my puppy dog eyes. "Can I put the star on top of the tree now? Pretty please, daddy?"

My dad grinned down at me, before scooping my up in his arms.

"Sure sweetie," he said, the previous worry about my safety gone. Grabbing the home made star from the table, my dad lifted me up so I can place the star on its rightful place.

"Hey! That's not fair!" Ayden shouted, walking into the living room, with Adrian and Jason following right behind him. "Dad, why does she get to put the star on the tree? She put it up last year too!"

"Because I made it Ayden," I said smugly, making eye contact with Jason accidentally.

He gave me a grin and I blushed, looking back at Ayden, my face feeling warm thinking of the first kiss we shared in the cave yesterday.

From the corner of my eye, I can see Adrian frowning at me, knowing he was suspicious about what I've been up to with his best friend.

"I made a star too, dad," Ayden complained, walking up to us. "And mine is so much better than hers."

My dad sighed, knowing where this is going to lead.

I inwardly smiled knowing how I can get the last laugh. "Okay fine, you win. You can put your star up."

Ayden looked shocked for a minute before looking up at me with suspicion. "Why are you agreeing with me so quickly? You're up to something."

Behind him, Jason and Adrian turned to each other and smirked, knowing exactly what I was up to.

I sighed dramatically. "It's Christmas time, Ayden. We shouldn't fight over something as dumb as putting a star on the tree. And you're right. I did put the star up last year."

Ayden regarded me with a stunned look before slowly nodding. "Yea, it's only fair. Be right back."

Without another word, he rushed out of the room, our eyes following his every move.

I waited silently until I was sure he was out of his hearing range before turning to my dad. "Quickly dad! Up, up, up. I need to put the star on the top before he comes back."

Adrian and Jason roared with laughter as my dad lifted me once again to the top of the tree.

Placing my star on it, I leaned back and just admired how beautiful it looked.