'Tis the Season

Chapter 3: Milkshakes

Chapter 3: Milkshakes

We didn't really say anything else after my awkward cheek-kiss situation, although whether that was because the girls ended up having immaculate timing or because I had just rendered the rest of the day completely uncomfortable was anyone's guess.

What made it worse was that we had both scheduled the pick-up for our finalized pottery at the same time as each other tomorrow, which didn't leave me very long to recover from my embarrassment.

Stressed to the point where I was seriously considering calling the shop and requesting a change in my pick-up time, I think it goes without saying that I got very little sleep that night. When I finally did doze off around four in the morning, I slept uneasily and ended up waking up just a few hours later to the lovely surprise of my period.

After an hour of grumbling around the house and deciding to just not go pick up my piece in order to avoid the inevitably awkward encounter that faced me if I did, Madeline came barging into my room asking me why I wasn't ready to go.

"I have my period, Madeline. I don't feel like driving all the way there, I'll just call the shop and ask them if I can pick it up another day."

"But I've been texting with Eve all day. She even said that there was a diner right down the road so after we got everything we could go get lunch altogether. It looked like you and Carson were becoming friends too," Madeline sits on the end of my bed and pouts.

I feel guilty for not sucking up and just going for the sake of helping Madeline and Eve's growing friendship, but the combination of my headache, shame, and pissy mood increases my stubbornness.

"Sorry, Mads. See if mom or dad will take you or tell her that you two can plan something for another day." I pull my blanket up higher and turn my face into my pillow to signify that it's the end of the discussion.

I hear Madeline let out a frustrated huff before her weight lifts from my bed and she closes my door a little too loudly on her way out.

Two hours later, I hear the doorbell ring. My parents had both gone out for the day to do some Christmas shopping and figuring it's probably just a package delivery I don't think too much when I head Madeline race down the stairs to grab the door.

After a few moments though I can tell she's talking to someone and, being the responsible adult in the house, I pull myself away from the Food Network show I was watching in our living room to go see what's happening.

"Madeline, who's at the door?" I call out as I attempt to straighten my hair before making myself visible. I stop in my tracks and cringe as I see Carson and Eve standing on the steps of our house while Madeline gives me a semi-guilty look over her shoulder.

"Madeline?" I cross my arms in front of myself, very aware of the fact that I'm in sweatpants and an old t-shirt that do not show off my body in the best light.

"Carson and Eve came to drop off your pottery. And Carson said he didn't mind taking us to a diner so we could still have lunch."

I raise my eyebrows and try to control my reaction since Carson and Eve are right there. "Were you planning to tell me that you were leaving the house, Mads?"

Mads gives me a look to show me she's getting embarrassed. "I'm sixteen, Naomi, I can go out for lunch with friends without your supervision, you know. And I texted mom that I was leaving and she said it's fine as long as I check in with her if we go anywhere else."