A Glow Of Happiness

Chapter 17. Isa

I groan loudly as my alarm rings for the second time. I hear Aubrey shuffling in our room, and she switches on the light. I hide my face under my pillow and groan again.

"Too freaking early," I whine.

Aubrey yawns next to me and I see her rub her eyes as I get the pillow away from my face.

"William and Nick will be here at 6:30 a.m. which gives us an hour to get ready," she says softly.

"I just want to sleep," I whine and put my bed covers over my head.

Aubrey yanks them away and hit me with her pillow.

"Come on, you lazy bum," she says.

We get ready slowly as we are both still half asleep. I'm glad I packed last night because I only have to get dressed and add my toiletries to my small suitcase. I put on a pair of legging with a big wool sweater. I put on a beanie and my big winter coat and I am ready to go. Aubrey is ready too so we take everything we need and head out of the dorm. Once outside, Nick's car is already parked and William and he take our suitcases and put them in the car. I sit in the backseat with William and close my eyes.

"Would coffee help you, sleepyhead?" Nick laughs.

I nod my head with my eyes still closed and I hear a light chuckle beside me. I know it's William and the fact that this is the first kind of attention he has given me in two weeks makes me smile and makes me mad at the same time. He looks good as always, but he seems lost in thoughts again. We stop at a Tim Horton drive-thru and we order coffee and things to eat. Once the warm coffee touches my lips and I take a bite out of my muffin I feel more alive. I shake the sleepiness away from me and look at William who's eating like he hasn't eaten in days. I want to talk to him, tell him a funny comment on the way he eats, but I keep my mouth shut and look away.

"It's a two-hour drive so feel free to make yourself comfortable," Nick tells me.

I take my coat off and throw it beside me.

"Does this mean I can put Christmas music on?" I smile.

"Guess I put myself into that situation," he rolls his eyes.

"Oh you did babe," Aubrey laughs.

She takes her phone to put music and we both sing along to every Christmas song that comes on. I often feel William stare at me, but I ignore it the best I can. The drive goes by quickly as we talk and sing the whole way through. When we finally get to Nick's chalet it's close to 9 a.m. and I'm overly excited. Nick park his car in the driveway and we get out to take our suitcases inside. When we make our way inside I can't stop smiling. It's a small and rustic chalet, but it's beautiful.

"Alright, listen up you crazy people. Aubrey and I are sharing my parents' room. Isa, you're taking my room with the queen-sized bed, because... Well, chivalry. Which means William you're taking the last room with the double-sized bed," Nick explains.

He shows us our room and we all get settled in. I put my suitcase on a small bench inside my room and I'm happy to see I have my personal small bathroom. I lay all my things out and go back downstairs where William is starting a fire in the fireplace. I want to run back upstairs and come down when Aubrey and Nick will be there, but it seems immature. I walk loudly towards him, hoping he'll see me and say something, but when I sit down on the couch he still hasn't said a word. When the fire is on and running he stands back up and walks past me as if I wasn't even there.

"Well that's going to be one hell of a weekend," I mutter.

He stops walking and turns towards me.