Her Knight In Rusty Armor

Chapter XXVIII

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Cherries & Hot Cocoa
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"Yippee!"

Thwump.

"He's literally as soft as a donkey!"

Someone cannon-balled onto me, forcing a gust of wind out of my lungs. I winced as my eyes cracked open, the latter being met by a pair of big bluebell ones.

Sprawling on top of me was the chaotic duo itself – obviously comprising of Marc and Beth – giggling like idiots as they ruthlessly suffocated me to death.

"Merry Christmas, morning bug," Marc greeted, gradually beginning to bounce on me, gaining more momentum with each movement. I groaned even louder, pushing both of them off me, to which they tumbled onto the floor and began cackling.

"Merry crisis," I drowsily replied. As I stirred in my spot, cold rays of frozen sunlight falling directly over me, I realised that I had fallen asleep right in front of the fireplace the previous night.

"Slept well?" I heard Nora say from behind us. I propped myself onto my elbows, craning my neck behind, only to see her filming the tragedies I was being forced to undergo.

Stumbling onto my feet, I snatched the camera from her hands, then rubbed her head playfully. "Yeah. The floor would've been comfier with you, though."

She chuckled before taking the camera back from my grasp.

Marc walked up to me, grinning. "It's five in the mornin' and you're the last goober to wake up, early bird. Go change into something more festive, and then we'll get on with the decor before Amara wakes up!"

Ever since my dad passed away, I could never get up to properly celebrate Christmas without him, but what Marc said sounded like a plan. Mom had been working her curls off for the past few days – she deserved a day off.

After all those years, dad would've wanted me to celebrate his favourite holiday with my best friends.

I nodded, sleepily trudging out of the sitting lounge; Ethan walked past me, warmly wishing me a merry Christmas as he chewed his trademark bubblegum, and I returned his wish with a smile.

Just then, Kate bumped into me. I had failed to notice her walking behind Ethan, the shortie she was.

"Sorry," she mumbled, wincing with a smile. "Merry Christmas, Miller."

"Back at you, love."

The way she stood there, smiling so sweetly at me, didn't let me resist the urge to just...

Placing my thumb on her chin, I made her look up at me. Of course, her cheeks were tinted maroon, the latter dousing all the freckles on her skin. I placed a kiss on her forehead, smiling against her skin. When I pulled away and looked into her eyes, the world around me fell silent.

I could probably have dozed off while staring into her pretty hazel eyes if it weren't for Beth scolding me like a kindergarten teacher would.

"Ashton! Slim it with the love fest and just change your clothes, damn it!"

I rolled my eyes at her remark. Not before passing her a goofy grin, I sidestepped past Kate and walked up the stairs, into my room.