Holidays Specials + Extra Content

Troye and Cam's First Christmas / Bonus Story from Holding On & Letting Go

This is the full version of the scene Troye mentions in chapter eight of Holding On & Letting Go where he reminisces on the first Christmas he and Cam spent together. Enjoy!

***

It was eleven o'clock at night on the twenty-fourth of December. Hours of snow buildup stuck to the ground outside and had turned the neighbourhood into a winter wonderland.

Not that I was complaining. Christmas had always been my favourite holiday as it was a time when people came together to celebrate and enjoy each other's company. Ever since I was a kid I had loved Christmas.

However, this year was the first time ever I was bummed out. Sat by the window with an ignored mug of hot chocolate, I watched as the snow drifted down and stuck to the ground outside. Leaning my head against the window pane, I sighed, the breaths of air sticking to the glass.

"You're not seriously moping on Christmas Eve, are you?" My sister came around the corner into the living room and plonked herself down beside me on the window seat. "What's got you so down in the dumps?"

"It's nothing." I said, picking boredly at a thread on my pyjama pants. 

"Oh, don't give me that." Aria reached forward and pushed my hands away to stop me from destroying my clothes. "C'mon little bro, what's wrong? You love Christmas."

My chin rested on my legs as I pulled them to my chest. "Nothing's wrong."

"He's just sad because his boyfriend has to fly home to Michigan for the holidays and they had plans." Mom appeared in the doorway, causing Aria and I to look up at her. 

"Boyfriend?" Aria exclaimed in shock as she looked between mom and I before focusing on me. "You have a boyfriend?"

Mom came further into the room, situating herself beside me. "Yes, for about three months now, right honey?"

Aria nearly choked. She turned to me, glaring. "And why am I only hearing about this now?"
I shrugged and smiled sheepishly at her. "Bad timing?"

Aria gaped. "My little brother has a boyfriend and I didn't even know about this!"

Mom chuckled as she watched the exchange between her children. She reached out and stroked my hair softly. "He's just sad because Cameron couldn't be here and it's their first Christmas together."

"Cameron. Is that his name? Oh, you have to show me a picture of him!" Aria proclaimed. "Right now."

Mom laughed as I reluctantly pulled out my phone. "You know it's a bad idea to keep secrets from Aria, darling."

"In my defence," I said. "She's been in London the last few months. When was I supposed to tell her?"

"Hey Troye, hey. Look at me. Right at me. That's it." Aria said before smacking me upside the head. "You know all the thirty-billion times we Skype called or texted. How about any of those times?"

I rubbed my head with a pout and mom chuckled. "Alright Aria, give him a break. He's young and excited."

"I'm not a puppy." I said, still rubbing my head. My sister could pack a hell of a punch when she wanted to.

"Oh, he's so cute!" Aria gushed, handing my phone back to me. "Nice work bro."

I smacked the palm of my hand into my face as my mom and sister laugh like evil witches. Honestly, those two together were a deadly pair, especially when they teamed up against you.

"So your cute boyfriend isn't here, big deal." Aria drawled. "It doesn't mean you get to mope around on Christmas Eve. Besides, there's still cookies that need to be iced in the kitchen."