Vlogmas: a YouTube Christmas Special [YouTube]

Day 9

On the ninth day of Vlogmas, YouTube gave to me:

Pushpins and Polaroids (Benjamin Cook [ninebrassmonkeys])

*********

When you wake up and look out your window, you're a little skeptical and even check your phone to make sure Ben hasn't texted you to call off the shoot. It's snowing like whoever controls the weather for London (David Cameron, you assume) is having a pissing contest against the Freezemeister from that old claymation Christmas film. But, the redhead - no, wait, he's not red headed anymore - Ben hasn't said a word. So, you decide to proceed as planned.

Heidi and Ezra look at you like you just informed them that you plan on walking to Peru and back in time for New Year's when you let them know your plans for the day. Ez actually strangles a little on his toast, requiring a glass of water and several hard pounds on the back from Heidi before he can give you a piece of his mind.

"How far, exactly, do you plan to get in Little Einstein before it gets drifted under?" he demands with a sassy wave of his head.

"I know the SmartCar isn't very big, but Little Einstein is surprisingly powerful! You know it has a trailer hitch, right?" You steal one of his slices of toast and take a bite. "Besides, what else do you suggest? I've got to get to Ben's somehow, and I'm sure as hell not walking."

Ezra makes a face at you. "Have you never heard of cabs before? Or better yet, just cancel on the guy! Reschedule!"

"You know the cabs are always mental during weather like this, Ez. I'm taking the SmartCar, and that's final." You chomp down on the toast to prove it.

Heidi pipes up from the other side of the kitchen, where she's making eggs on the cooktop. "Ezra has a point, you know. I'd just worry about you out all alone. Little Einstein is so small... What if you got lost or something?" She frowns, her little pink lips forming a pout. "I think Ez is right, you ought to stay home."

You gape openly at Heidi. Never in the history of mankind have Heidi and Ezra agreed on anything. They don't even agree on the fact that they never agree. The two of them are as different as two human beings can be: Heidi is short and round, Ezra is tall and rail thin. Heidi has blonde curls, Ezra's hair is dark and straight. Heidi has blue eyes, Ezra has brown. Heidi loves dogs, Ezra is a cat person. Heidi believes Taylor Swift is the pinnacle of modern music, Ezra thinks anything that isn't folk or indie singer-songwriter is garbage. Heidi is conservative, Ezra is liberal. Heidi drinks tea with loads of sugar and milk, Ezra prefers coffee so strong and black that it congeals if left too long. Heidi is a Twilight fanatic, Ezra is a diehard Potterhead. Their whole relationship consists of the two of them fussing at one another every time they open their mouths. It's like sharing a house with Ash Ketchum and Gary Oak.

Ezra is choking on his toast; he's just as shocked as you. Heidi scowls at the two of you. "Oh, shut up, Barker," she spits. "Didn't your mum ever teach you how to chew your food?" She turns back to her eggs with a huff, but she can't hide the furious flush of red that's spreading up her neck.

"Well," you say, grabbing your coat and rucksack and stealing another bite of Ezra's toast. "Hell has officially frozen over. I'll text when I get to Ben's. Don't disrupt the space-time continuum while I'm gone."

Heidi mutters fiercely under her breath, still blushing, and Ezra just stares at her like she's grown an extra head. She might as well have.

********

When Ben answers the door he looks surprised to see you. "You still came? It's... blizzarding!" he splutters. "Did you not get my message?"

You shake your head. "C-Can I come in?" you ask through chattering teeth. Your car's heater isn't as strong as you could've hoped.