Snow Angel

Not A Creature Was Stirring...

We are well into the festivities and a countless number of empty bottles a strewn across the floor. This is being treated with the respect that an unfinished house deserves, or so they think. Everyone but me is dancing in the middle of the living room. I have taken refuge to the side in an armchair, again like everything else it is covered in plastic. The room has descended into darkness, but it isn't that late yet.

As the night draws in and the fog thickens Chrissy has the bright idea of going out onto the decking. Chad presumably knows who owns this as he suggests what we should do next.

"Let's hit the hot tub," he shouts excitedly whilst throwing his arms up in the air. Forgetting he is holding a beer it spills on the floor around his feet.

"Oh my god, that is amazing. Yes, let's go!" Chrissy shouts back in excitement.

Sitting there watching this plan unfold, I try to say nothing. Not only is it snowing and below freezing outside, but I also do not have a bathing suit. They all frantically strip down to their underwear tossing them around the floor of the living room without a care. The moment they are half-naked they run towards the sliding doors at the back of the room. Leading you out straight onto the decking. Out of interest more than anything I follow them to the back and look out through the door. Aside from the frost on the wood decking, all I see is a blanket of brilliant white and a thick mist. The snow has set thick and fast, I hope we can still get out later.

"Shit it's cold," cries Bryan as they all stand shivering on the decking. Crossing their arms over rubbing themselves energetically, I guess trying to create body warmth.

In the meantime, Chad has uncovered the hot tub and switched it on, a deep whirling noise comes from within the tub itself. The group all jump back as the sudden noise scares them; I chuckle to myself at their reaction.

"I think it's ready," Mark declares before jumping in. The water is bubbling, and steam starts to rise from the surface.

The others follow shortly after, splashing about half the water over the edge onto the deck. It still steams even on the icy floor. In sync they all lower into the water so only their heads are visible, a collective "Ahh," rings around the immediate space. I am standing leaning against the door frame for a few minutes, taking in the group socialising and laughing. They haven't noticed that I am not in the tub and I am glad about that. I don't know how much time has passed but they sit upright and start discussing what to do next. The alcohol has flowed quite well so the speech between them is slurred and hard to translate. I just smile and nod and let them get on with it, no doubt I will avoid whatever it is they are doing anyway.

"Let's go in the snow?" Bryan asks, looking quite pleased with this suggestion.

"Absolutely not," both Chrissy and Cassie confirm.

The two girls stay in the hot tub, giggling and chatting in whispered tones. The three lads Chad, Mark, and Bryan all jump out, making it look very athletic in one easy movement. They gather at the edge of the decking with a fresh beer in their hand. Joking and being typical jocks, I continue to keep my distance from them. I quietly drink my beer and stay fixed to the frame of the sliding doors. Then I overhear a part of their conversation,

"I'm going to do it," Chad says.

"No man don't, it isn't worth it," Bryan whispers back concerned. A concerned tone to his voice.

"You pussy's don't believe that crap, do you?" He asks them both.

Mark and Bryan are both too scared to answer him, they lower their beers and change their whole demeanour. Shoulders fold inward, and heads drop, they look away from Chad as though they can't make eye contact. He pushes each of them away from him and clicks his tongue against the roof of his mouth. Dropping his beer on the floor intently he climbs up onto the railing, he spreads his arms out wide and cries, "Snow angel bitches."