Christmas Eve

"Fuck, some of it went down my back." Oli yelped.

The snow had been pelting down all day and the dorms had gone out and started building snowmen, or sexy snowgirls, as Danny called them. Hannah had just pelted Oli with a snowball, which was now making its way down the back of his fleece coat.

"Should of upped your game." Hannah laughed.

I hadn't wanted to join in the fight, but had agreed to since Jake was here and was currently chasing Ronnie, trying to hit him. He had stopped to launch snow at me on several occasions, catching me whilst I was texting or reading my book.

"So, Kota what do you think?" Danny was talking to me. His arms were out-stretched, presenting his snow-woman.

"Her boobs aren't in proportion to the rest of her." Shay replied, sitting next to me. Danny pouted. He was promptly hit the face by a snowball.

Oli was standing across the way, laughing loudly. Danny rubbed the slush from his face and glared at Oli. I laughed when Jake threw a snowball at Oli, making him yelp again.

"That's such a manly sound." Jake laughed, and Oli turned and grabbed some snow.

They started running around. Oli had mellowed somewhat around Jake. Since Shay and Ash began dating it seemed like Oli was making more of an effort around them. He threw some snow and narrowly missed.

"Let me hit you," He threw another.

"No, you'll mess up my hair." Jake smirked.

"Fuck you and your hair." Oli retorted.

Shay looked on and shook her head. Hannah was watching and laughing. I had grown to love Hannah. She was an amazing person and so right for Oli. She was quiet, but she clearly had a strong sense of herself. She noticed me watching Jake and walked over, seating herself on my other side.

"How're you?" She asked, pausing to giggle when Oli tried to grab Jake.

"Yeah, pretty good. Really happy." I turned to glance at her.

It was three in the afternoon and the winter sun shone across her ivory skin, creating little flecks of shadow across her features.

"Still madly in love?" She smiled.

I glanced over and Jake was holding his hands up in surrender. Oli was leaning forward, panting and tired. Jake caught my eye and smiled, winking at me. I rolled my eyes and ignored him.

"It's so obvious that you don't need to answer." She patted my shoulder.

I wet my lips and looked at her again. She could read me like a book and I stared at the snow as it fell, quickly covering the footprints.

"Guys, it's starting to get really heavy. We should go in." Shay called out.

The guys all started to walk forward. Ben walked by and tried to kick the snowmen and was tackled by Danny.

It felt so good to be back inside in the warm. Danny was shivering a little from crashing into the snow.

"You idiot. You got my hoodie wet." Ben shoved Danny's shoulder playfully.

"S-shut up." Danny mumbled.

"Come on, I'll let you borrow some of my clothes." They walked off down the hall.

Tomorrow my Dad would be picking me up at twelve for dinner. I would see my dorm mates tomorrow morning, but I wouldn't be seeing Jake till New Years Eve. I'd have to give him his present now so I went to sneak away.

I got to my door and was grabbed from behind and spun around, literally picked up and twirled round. I shrieked with laugher.

"Why're you sneaking away?" Jake laughed.

"Go away." I let out a loud laugh when he tried to tickle me.

I managed to squirm away. I had gotten used to the constant cuddles and the odd occasion where Jake would kiss my cheek or hold my hand. I savoured those moments the most.

"I need to give you something." I murmured.

I opened the door and slipped inside. I really hoped he wouldn't follow me. I grabbed the present and opened the door, nearly coliding with him. Jake's hands gripped my shoulders, steadying me. I brandished the present at him and he took it. I peeked at him through my fringe and saw he was smiling.

"Can I open it now? I won't get to see you till New Year." He asked, turning the parcel over in his hands.

I nodded and he un-stuck one end and peeled the paper away. I peeked out again and watched him remove the hoodie. The hoodie had a quiji board pattern on it. I waited for his reaction.

"Thanks, Kota." He sounded genuine so I looked at him properly, gasping when he hugged me again.

I had made the right choice and mentally praised myself. We pulled apart and he reached into his jacket pocket, pulling out a small present. I stared at it and he handed it to me. I accepted and glanced at him.

"Go ahead." He motioned for me to open it.

I was a little less neat aboit opening presents, but I was hesitant about ruining the wrapping paper. I opened it carefully and pulled out a small, blue box. Ok, now I was confused.

I noticed a small grove and pressed my nail into it, slowly opening the box. My eyes widened. Inside was a necklace. It looked like gold, but I didn't really own much jewellery so I couldn't judge. The charm on the necklace was shaped like a little, patterned love heart.

"Here let me put it on for you." He took the box, and removed the necklace.

I watched him open the little clasp at the back and I turned round, allowing him to drape it over my head so it dangled round my neck. I felt his fingers, fastening the clasp and my heart beat erratically. The moment was over when I felt his fingers leave my skin.

I turned back round and looked down at the necklace. It was so pretty and delicate. I smiled and picked up the love heart, staring at it.

"Thank you. It's so beautiful." I whispered.

I wanted to hug him, in fact I realy wanted to kiss him, but decided not to. He always initiated contact between us and I sighed when he hugged me. I buried my head into his chest and smiled, wistfully.

His phone buzzed, playing the chorus of Enter Sandman. He let me go and pulled his phone from his pocket and unlocked it. He had been texting someone a lot, even wheh we met up. I didn't like to pry into his business.

"Who is it?" I asked.

"Just a friend." He shrugged.

Well that's as far as my prying ever went. I would ask and he'd dismiss it and I'd just give up. I wasn't very nosy so I hated to bug him.

We walked back to the lounge and stayed with the others for the rest of the evening.


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

Christmas Day

I awoke this morning and got dressed very quickly to go and wait for my Dad. I grabbed Shay's present along with Oli's and Hannah's. I got her one last minute as it felt right. I had bought some chocolates for my dorm mates.

I slipped on my winter boots and left my room. It was only ten thirty and yet I could hear voices. Shay was in the lounge in her onesie even though her Mum was picking her up in an hour. The whole dorm was in the lounge, making it especially cramped.

I gave Tay and Alex the chocolates to share and Tay pulled me into a tight hug. Alex hugged me too. They shared the chocolate around the room. I sat next to Shay and handed her the gift. She accepted it, gleefully, tearing it open to reveal the pretty dress I got her. She beamed and hugged me.

Oli arrived a few minutes later and gave Shay and I a present each. I gave him his gift and he loved the new jumper. I gave Hannah her gift and she looked shocked.

"You really got me something?" She smiled, and hugged me, whispering 'thank you.'

The rest of the morning passed quickly. Shay's mum, Sasha arrived. She ordered Shay to get dressed and stood to chat with me for a bit. Shay reappered a half hour later, wearing her Sunday best as her Nan and Grandad would be coming over for Christmas.

My Dad arrived and he and Sasha talked for a few minutes. I followed Dad to the car and we got in. The snow had ceased, but left the roads slightly covered.

We got to my parent's house safely and I set my family's gifts by the tree. Holly was helping Mum in the kitchen and chatting loudly.

When I went to the lounge I was greeted by my Nan. She and I talked about my studies. Once everyone came to the lounge we opened our presents. Mum was happy with her oven mitts and books. Dad was overjoyed about the walkie-talkies and was going to share them with his friend, David.

I had got Nan some romance novels and some perfume and I gave Holly some bath soaps and Dan and Phil's book since she loved them so much.

Christmas dinner was going smoothly and Nan was chatting away, telling embarassing stories about Dad when he was a boy. She had had a few too many Bailey's and was feeling particularly chatty.

When dinner was over we sat and watched tv and Nan fell asleep in the armchair, like she did every Christmas. I stayed till eight and Mum took me home as Dad had had a couple of beers.

"Goodbye, darling." She leaned over, kissing my cheek.

"See you soon, Mum." I smiled, getting out the car.

I waved as she drove away. The dorms were quiet and the only person in the lounge was Alex. He smiled when he saw me. He was reading a book, obviosuly a present from his parents.

"Hey, Alex." I sat down across from him.

"Hey, Kota. Good Christmas?" He laid the book down.

I nodded and decided to leave him to sit and read. Alex was very quiet around Christmas after his brother passed away. I looked back to see he was back into his book, but he was smiling now.

Notes