“Look, Vix, I’m sorry, okay? Truly. I didn’t mean to upset you, and I sure as hell didn’t mean what I said to Luca. He was running his mouth, talking about how he wanted to ask you out, and I didn’t like it, okay? It pissed me off,” I admit to her.
“Why?” she asks. “Why did it piss you off? You basically said there’s nothing special about me. And that hurt, Austin. Especially coming from you.”
I sigh and drag my hands down my face.
“I care because youarespecial to me, Vix. You are my favourite person on this god damn planet, and I care so much about who gets to care about you because none of them could possibly care more than I do!” I exclaim, letting out a deep breath. “I’m sorry, I don’t know how many more times I can apologize before you’ll believe me,” I say, holding her stare.
“One more time couldn’t hurt,” she says, a smirk forming on her lips. I grin at her.
“I’m sorry,” I say again and lean in to hug her. She hugs me back, and I feel like I’m holding my entire world in my hands.
Just then, the door swings open, both of us caught off guard, caught in an embrace.
“I knew you two were hot for each other. Fucking weirdos.” Luca laughs, while the rest of the group joins in.Fucking hyenas.I walk up to Luca, about to take his ass out, when Vix’s small hand grabs my shoulder.
“Aussy, let’s just go,” she says, trying to pull me out of my rage. We walk to the door, her hand clasped in mine, ready to get us the hell away from this house, when Luca shouts.
“Doesn’t it feel weird kissing someone who’s basically your brother?” They all continue to laugh. Vix pauses, glancing up at me. She squeezes my hand.
“One sec,” she whispers and releases me. She walks back to where Luca stands, smiling her angelic smile, pulls back her fist and slams it straight into his nose. I completely lose it, laughing so hard I double over.
“Fucking bitch!” Luca yells, and Vix backs away, giving him a little wave on our way out the door.
“That was fucking awesome,” I tell her. She beams at me, proud of herself as she should be.
“It was definitely fucking awesome!” she exclaims.
EIGHTEEN
VIX - PRESENT
The days goby and the seasons change, Halloween has come and gone, being the most thrilling of any other year by far. We’ve celebrated our first Friendsgiving as a foursome, and now we are rolling into the holiday season.
The air, so chilled it nips at the tip of your nose, is nothing like the temperatures we had back home in Draveport. We didn’t get very much snow, just a light dusting if Mother Nature decided to grace us with it at all that year. I’ve always found snow to be mesmerizing. Tiny flakes of cold water that fall from the sky, each one unique, with the most intricate and beautiful patterns.
Christmas break starts today, which means most students will return home to visit their families. My mom has told me not to come home this year. Financially, we couldn’t swing it for the flight, and she swore to me she wouldn’t be lonely. We agreed to have a FaceTime Christmas dinner date on Boxing Day. Austin decided to stay on campus with me, keeping me company on my favourite holiday. There’s just something magical about the Christmas holidays, and I’m thrilled that I get to spend them with my favourite person.
Leah and Kash are leaving this evening for their annual family ski trip in the Orella Mountains, a couple of hours away. Kash, talking a big game as always, as if he were the greatest skier in all of Morgan family history. Leah looks annoyed as ever as she packs for her road trip with Kash.
“I don’t even ski!” she whines and throws another cardigan in her suitcase. “Every year it’s the same thing, Kash gets to ski and show off his one and only talent,” she whines. “Mom gets wine drunk by the fireplace in the main cabin, and Daddy all but has a meltdown when our uncle Teddy brings his new trophy girlfriend, introducing her as Aunty whatever her name is that year.” She cries. “And yes, he really does have a new Barbie to show off every year,” she states.
“First of all,” Kash stands from his imitation ski pose, “that is not my one and only talent, dear sister,” he insists and turns to me, sending a wink my way. I look to Austin and roll my eyes, but he’s already staring Kash down—a warning.
“Second of all, if you spent more time finding something fun to do at the cabin, you might actually end up enjoying yourself. Read a book, walk the village, and go to the Christmas market. The possibilities are endless, Scrooge,” he says, and it sounds like this place is my dream holiday vacation.
Leah watches my face animate at Kash’s description of the Orella Mountains, and as if reading each other’s thoughts, we grin at each other and giggle like we’re masterminds.
“Austin.” Leah sets her focus on him. “Would you and your girlfriend like to accompany us to the Winter Wonderland that Kash speaks so highly of? By the look on Vix’s face, she may leave you here for the holidays and join us regardless of what your answer is.” She grins, and I let out my own little squeal of excitement.
Austin looks my way, brows raised as if to question if thisis what I want. When he sees the pleading expression written across my face, he announces, “Looks like we’re spending Christmas with the Morgans!” I hug him, knowing this is going to be the best Christmas ever.
We pileinto Austin’s car, bags packed, excitement building for the holidays we get to spend together. Leah’s mood has completely shifted from where it was this morning, no longer dreading the ski resort now that Austin and I are tagging along. The boys sit in the front, overly annoyed at our continuous requests for them to blast Christmas music on the stereo. We sing, we yell, we laugh, and I feel what people must call holiday cheer as we travel the long journey into the mountains.
Leah tells me all about her family and what we can expect from each of her relatives this weekend. Kash seems to have an opposite opinion of them than Leah does, choosing to see the glass half full instead of everyone’s flaws. It’s an endearing side of Kash to see, no joking, no pranks, just genuine conversation of him talking about the people that he loves.
Pulling up to the resort, the night has sprung upon us, and it’s gotten harder to see through the thick snow that is coming down from the sky. Our cabin is the last on the lot, the biggest, most luxurious cabin I have ever set eyes on.
“That is not a cabin,” I blurt out, mouth completely ajar, “that is a goddamn castle posing as a cottage!” I must have stars twinkling in my eyes as I look at the fairytale Christmas cottage before us. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever seen. Made from giant wooden logs, oversized windows with evergreen pine trees lining the back of the property. It’s like something from a mystical winter wonderland. Kash laughs.
