'Tis the Season

Chapter 7: Christmas Past

Chapter Seven: Christmas Past

            I barely remember anything after seeing Mr. Sanders in the foyer other than a brief section of the night that involved Carson and I jumping on our beds. I'm pretty sure we passed out fairly quickly, but everything is still really fuzzy.

            I suppress the urge to groan as I roll over and mentally praise the Lord when I realize that we ended up in a double room and slept on separate beds. Carson is still asleep, so I take the opportunity to drag myself into the bathroom for a shower.

            How much alcohol could have been in that damn eggnog? I peel my clothes off and step into a hot shower, hoping that it will ease the throbbing headache I woke with.

            I squint through the water, trying and failing to jog some more of my memories of last night. I guess I should consider myself lucky I woke up first, because the mirror did not grant me a pretty sight when I stole a glance. At least now by the time Carson is up I will look a little more presentable.

            I wrap a towel around my body and put my hair in two braids, not wanting to risk waking Carson up by using the blow dryer and then realize that I don't have any clothes to change into. It's either the jeans and blouse I had worn to the party yesterday or the ugly sweater, and I'm pretty sure both smell equally gross.

            I reluctantly tug the jeans back on and opt for the ugly sweater, deciding that the blouse will smell worse since it was the bottom layer for the majority of the day.

            I'm pleasantly surprised when I find my phone still on ten percent, but I suppose it makes sense since it was fully charged before the date and I didn't turn it on once while we were together.

            "Shit," I whisper as I open my messages and see tons from Madeline and both of my parents along with a string of missed calls.

            I turn towards the other bed and, seeing that Carson is still passed out, I decide to head down to the little beverage station I noticed set up by reception yesterday to grab us coffees and call my parents back.

            I softly shut the door of our room, making sure to grab the keycard on the dresser so I can get back in, and dial my mom's number apprehensively.

            "Naomi." Her voice is angry. Rightfully so, from her perspective I left to go on a date with a guy I barely know, was gone all day and night, and wouldn't pick up my phone.

            "Mom, I know this is bad and I'm sorry. We didn't plan to be out all night..." I trail off as I head down the stairs. There really isn't much I can say that will make up for this. Sorry won't cut it for her this time.

            "Look, I'm really sorry, I messed up. But it happened, I can't change that, so how should we move forward?" I admire the garland and tinsel wrapped along the railing of the staircase, trying to ease my anxiety over her reaction.

            "Yeah, Naomi. You messed up. But if you think using my words is a way you can get out of this, you're wrong." I sigh inwardly, rubbing my temple as I take the last step down onto the marble flooring.

            "You need to come home. Now. We'll discuss this more when you get here." The line clicks off.

            I find the little beverage station, make two coffees, and head back up the stairs. I can hear the shower running when I enter, so I sit on the edge of my bed while I wait for Carson to come out.

            "Naomi!" He freezes when he sees me, leaving the bathroom in nothing but a towel wrapped around his waist and a shocked expression.