42
Anya
Pretending like nothing happened, so that I don’t worry about it, is basically my superpower at this point in my life. So, when I smell Kodi’s warm, gingerbread cookie scent before I see him, I brace for impact, making sure I’m smiling and not overthinking when he scoops me into his arms.
Right on cue, gravity no longer applies, and I’m lifted into my safe space, but only for a moment. He quickly, but carefully, sets me back on my feet, causing me to pout.
“Shit, should I have done that. Are you okay? I don’t want to make you dizzy again.” His words come our hurried and worried.
I rest my hands on his face to soothe him. “Kodi. I’m okay. Not dizzy. See.” I step away, holding my arms out to my side, stand tall, and offer him my best smile.
His features soften and he visibly relaxes as he takes my hand, kisses the back, and interlocks our fingers.
“So, what’s for dinner, Mr. Master of Surprises?”
One side of his lips tick up. “I don’t care what you pick to eat for dinner. We just have one more stop first.”
I look between him and Carrie and judging by their not-inconspicuous-at-all smiles, it’s another one of their schemes. Little does he know, we have a scheme of our own. The thought brings a mixture of excitement and worry but I think I know Kodi well enough to know what his reaction will be.
We walk a bit further, into the little mall a couple of towns over, and Kodi leads me to a cute holiday shop called The Little Christmas Cottage. The same one that Carrie steered me away from an hour ago, claiming buying something here would be like cheating on Kodi’s little Christmas town. “Brat.” I hiss at her behind Kodi’s back and they both laugh.
Once inside, he says hello to the cashier named Steve, who is apparently the son of the man who owns The Big Christmas Cottage shop back in town. My eyes narrow one more time at each of them, but it’s all in fun.
We meander through the store casually before I’m redirected to the back wall, which is absolutely covered in all kinds of Christmas ornaments. Half of the ornaments on the far right side are able to be personalized.
Kodi gestures to the massive selection. “Let’s pick out our first Christmas ornament. I thought we could make a new tradition and buy one every year.”
Taking in all there is to choose from, I nod. “I would love that.”
I also manage to sneak a wink to Carrie, who winks back, hopefully reading my mind as intended.
After dinner at a steakhouse, Carrie hugs me bye. Kodi got her a hotel room close to the airport because she has to fly back home first thing in the morning to spend the rest of the Christmas holiday with her family.
“Thank you so much for coming. I’ve never had a real friend before. Be safe.” I say as I squeeze her tight, not ready to let go.
When we pull apart, we’re still holding hands and she promises to be safe.
“Love you guys!” She waves over her shoulder as she walks toward her Ryde waiting at the door.
Spinning back around and into Kodi, he wraps me against his side as we make our way out of the mall.
One hour, two gargantuan cups of cocoa, and Kodi asking me if I’m okay a least two dozen times later, we made it through the two-town light tour.
I’ve obviously seen Christmas lights before. People decorate their houses, storefronts, and streets with them. It would be kindof hard to miss. But this was next level. The intricate displays, some incorporating other decorations like massive trains, were otherworldly. I don’t know how else to describe it.
We had rolled the windows down, blasted the heat for me, and played the Christmas music station while we putted through the never-ending trail of lights.
Now that we’re on the way home, I feel my eyelids getting heavy with nothing to keep my attention, and the cool wind no longer streaming through the vehicle. My thoughts drift to Carrie. Flying across the country to visit. For me. Who’d have thought my first ever, real, best friend, would be someone society says I should hate. They couldn’t be more wrong. Spending the day with her and planning a surprise for Kodi solidified our friendship even more.
It makes you wonder if that Goddess Kodi speaks of also dabbles in platonic soulmates. It feels like Carrie could be mine.
2 Days Until Christmas
43
Kodi
Idon’t sleep well—or at all, really. Instead, I watch Anya sleep. I know she said she was okay, but she also said she was fine when Carrie told me she fainted. I know she struggles with telling people how she really feels so I just have to be hyper aware myself, it would seem.
