November 28th

"What about this?" Shay asked, brandishing a coffee mug at me.

"Does your dad need a mug?" I sighed.

She paused, placing the mug back on the shelf and rubbing the back of her neck. She groaned and removed her wooly hat. Debenhams was especially humid today. I suppose they decided to put the heat up as it was snowing today.

"What are you getting your parents." She grinned.

"I've gotten Mum a set of oven mitts with cats on and a few books. I got Dad a set of walkie-talkies." I replied, and she groaned again.

"Congrats on being little miss organised." She mumbled.

We wandered round the store a little while longer. Shay got her mum some perfume and bought herself some lipstick.

"For your dad?" I nodded to the bag.

"Yeah, it's just the right shade for him." She giggled.

We walked around for a bit longer and whilst she was distracted I bought her present. I got Oli a new jumper. I really wanted to get Jake something. We ended up in Camden, looking in the alternative shops. I found a hoodie for him and bought it.

We made our way back to Oxford Street and went into Nero for hot chocolate. We sat by the window and watched people go by.

"How are you and Ash?" I saw Shay blush and laughed.

"We're doing good." She fidgted. "How're you and Jake? Has he asked you out yet?"

I shook my head, sipping my drink. We were still friends and still saw each other, only difference was that he sometimes sat in my room and watched films with me. I would sit on the chair by the desk to avoid being close to him.

He never did remember that night and I was too afraid to ask. Sometimes he would say things that alluded to him remembering, but it never went any further.

"Nope, I don't think we'll get together." I replied. Shay's face fell.

"Really? But you like him and Ash reckons he likes you." She smirked.

My eyebrows rose in surprise. I wasn't expecting that, but I needed to know more.

"What does Jake say about me to Ashley?" I knew it was wrong to snoop, but I was intrigued.
"Not a lot, but Ash says that he just knows." She asnwered, mysteriously.

I frowned at that. I guessed Jake wouldn't divulge that information so easily. We finished our drinks and took the train home. The dorm was full of life when we got there. the rest of the students were hanging up decorations.

"I want to put the star on the tree. It'll be a Christmas miracle." Danny was swaying a little, and Ben was holding a star out of his reach.

"You don't live here. Go decorate your own dorms." Ben laughed when Danny attempted to grab the star. They ended up chasing each other round the room.

"I want it to snow for real, not like the powdery stuff outside, but real snow." Tay was saying to Alex.

Kellin raced over to us and hugged me and Shay. He was wearing tinsel round his neck like a boa. It scratched at my skin when he hugged me. I looked at Vic, noticing that he was wearing red tinsel round his neck too. Looks like Kellin had roped him into wearing it.

"Can I take this off now?" He shouted over.

Kellin paused and looked round, "No, keep it on. You don't want to be a grinch, do you?"

Vic sighed and rolled his eyes. Somehow Shay and I got suckered into helping them decorate. Pizza was ordered and a few other people arrived. It was a fun evening.


****************

12th December

"Alicia broke her arm last week. I signed her cast." Holly grinned across the table at me.

I stared at her blankly for a few minutes. How on earth had Alicia managed to do that? She and Holly were forever hurting themselves.

Dad frowned and shook his head. Worringly, Mum didn't seem to phased by Holly's constant clumsy beahviour. I guess she had been used to it with me so she knew what to expect from my sister.

Christmas was just round the corner and I loved it. Spending time with my parents would be the best part. Mum would make her famous Christmas roast and Dad would get tipsy and try and help, only to be told to go away.

Holly and I would open our gifts and chat about school and university. Nan would probably come round this year too. She would ask about school and whether we had boyfriends yet. Holly did and I was perpetually a nerd.

"Don't you like the beans, Hols?" Mum asked.

"No, you know I hate green beans." Holly pouted.

Mum paused as though trying to remember when Holly said she disliked them and how long ago it was. Dad didn't seem to notice and was tucking in.

"Sorry, love. Just leave them." Mum smiled.

After dinner I helped Mum wash up. She always said I didn't have to, but it only seemed right after she cooked for us.

"How's things with Jake?" She asked, washing a plate.

"Good, I guess." I took the plate and dried it.

"I saw Mark the other day in Sainsbury's," She continued. "He only lives round the corner."

"How is he?" I put a few plates away.

"Oh, much better. I take it Jake doesn't discuss his parents."

I sighed. Jake had only discussed his family life a few times and it gave me a good insight into his thoughts. It felt like I was priviledged to know some of the things he told me.

My phone buzzed and I laid the towel on the side and pulled my phone from my pocket. I was expecting it to be from Shay, but was very surprised to see Jake's name. Talk of the devil.

Will have to postpone tomorrow. Will make it up to you ;)

He was cancelling on a Sunday, but he had seen me every Sunday since we first met so I wasn't too bothered about missing a week. It would give me a chance to talk about lab work with Bret and watch films with Oli.

That's cool. See you soon. Making it up to me better include Ben & Jerry's :)

I continued to help Mum and we put the rest of the cutlery away. I felt my phone buzz again and checked it.

Fine. I'll treat you this time. No arguments ;) x

I smiled at that and texted back my approval. I told Holly I was free tomorrow and she begged me to let her come to the dorm to see my friends. Holly loved Shay and always wanted her to do her make-up. She also loved Oli and would follow him around constantly.

"Fine, you can come round." I agreed, and she whooped with delight.

Dad drove me home and I settled down for the evening. I'd never get any work done with Holly here tomorrow.

Notes