Affinity

Christmas With You

The calm before the storm has finally begun. There's not as many interviews for right now, there's talk for the tour but I had already mapped that out until i practically beat the subject the ground. Everything was at peace. Even Adam was done with his piece and had it submitted, it was to be run next week. Now it was just time that had us hanging onto every second, every word the other spoke.

Adam would be going back to Maine soon. He has a job, as it is. He says it's not that big of a deal but he works at a little restaurant in his town when he's not playing for the local beach volleyball team on weekends or writing in his little waterfront house. He says it's a nice house, one right next to the lighthouse, rocks like the ones he described layered near the water. It was the house he was raised in, most of the time it was simply an empty house. His grandparents came in from the inland once a week to check on him until he was 17, then their visits slowed to a month, then longer as time went on. It wasn't a house filled with happy memories, but one with loneliness, and I can see it just behind his eyes when he talks about it.

He talks about it now. It seems like he can't get it out of his head that he's leaving soon, and it takes us like a pressing weight on our chests.

I tune back in. "-just haven't really talked to me since high school. I don't really know why, I've just been keeping to myself."

I remember the topic he was covering. Friends that ended up ignoring him. "They're missing out, babe."

He moves his hand over his jaw, scratching at his stubble restlessly. The cafe was pretty crowded today, people seemed to have came in swarms to grab a seat. It is Saturday, after all, and last minute Christmas shopping was at the peak. Adam was suppose to be going back to Maine tomorrow before travel got crazy but his parents called saying they're in Europe this year for Christmas and that they put his Christmas gift in his bank account. As if their absence could be bought off. No, Adam would be joining our family for Christmas.

"Are you sure you're okay with having Christmas with us?" I ask suddenly, the question coming to my mouth.

"I mean, yeah, if you want me to come," He says, bringing his forearms the the tabletop.

"Of course I do, and mom and dad said you're welcome. I just didn't know if you wanted to spend it with your grandparents," I say. It is his only real family that he keeps in touch with still.

"Please, they didn't even invite me," He runs his hand through his hair, staring downwards at his coffee instead of at me. I reach over and put a hand on his arm gently.

"Hey, don't worry, my family will take care of it. You can be an honorary Swift," I say, trying to ground a smile out of him and I succeed, a small grin growing as he chuckles.

"Thank you. Honestly, tell your mom thank you, too. She doesn't have to make any extra, I won't eat much."

"Please, you wouldn't be able to have a say in how much you eat with my mom's cooking," I say. "But I'll tell her you said thank you." I lean across the table to peck his lips.

"In other news, I found your present." He says and I raise my eyebrows.

"Oh you did. No hints?"

"No," He smirks, tracing his fingers across mine almost knowingly. It's hard to read into his smirks, it's almost like he knows something way more important than he makes you think. But then when you find it out, it's always still a really big surprise. "You'll find out soon enough."

I hadn't gotten his gift yet. His main gift, really. I mean, I have some ideas. There wasn't just one though. All his present ideas consisted of multiple. He deserves something more, and I just want to repay him for the things he's given me. Not as much physical things but mentally, emotionally. He's made me stronger, and I just want to thank him.