Page 80 of Falling Like Snow

“That’s fine.” I sigh. “Do you remember when we used to have groceries in this house, though?”

“Sure do,” he says, both of us leaving unspoken the fact that it was before Dad died. Since then, we truly have lived only a step above the Gilmore girls, grocery shopping every couple of weeks for the essentials and maybe some fruits and veggies that usually go uneaten, otherwise ordering takeout and griping about how much we wish we had an Al’s Pancake World in Bramble Falls.

While Asher heats the water, I sift through what little Jake left in the Lucky Charms box and collect all the marshmallows. Asher mixes the chocolate powder into the hot water, and I grab the Cool Whip from the refrigerator (being sure to check the expiration date), spoon a dollop into the mugs, and top them off with marshmallows.

“Winter perfection,” I say. We clink our mugs together and take a sip. “Delicioso.”

Asher’s eyes dip to my lips, and he smiles. “Did you learn that in Spanish or from Dora the Explorer?”

“Dora, of course. Now, come on, vámonos.” I turn on my heel and head back toward the living room, where the lights from the Christmas tree cast a soft white glow.

“By the way,” he says, striding up behind me, “you’re wearing Cool Whip.”

“What?”

I stop as he reaches toward my face. “Here,” he says, wiping Cool Whip from the tip of my nose. “And here.” His thumb skims over my top lip. “You’re a mess.”

“Thanks,” I breathe, my insides suddenly simmering.

Asher clears his throat. “Movie time?”

“Yep.”

“You know,” I casually say, crawling under the blanket on the couch as I try to pretend the innocent swipe of his thumb had no effect on me, “we’re basically each other’s holidates.”

His eyes find mine. “How so?”

I shrug. “We’re platonic dates to pretty much every holiday and social event so we don’t have to go alone.”

He hums and sits on the cushion next to me, throwing the blanket over his lap. “I guess that’s true.”

Suddenly, our phones ding simultaneously. We grab them and find an automated text telling us school is canceled for tomorrow.

“Heck yeah! We get to sleep in,” Asher says, setting his phone on the table as our friends’ muffled cheers ring out from upstairs. “Although now all our exams are going to be crammed into Friday. That’s gonna suck.”

“Yes, but at least we can stay up late and watch this whole movie without worrying about falling asleep while answering multiple choice questions tomorrow,” I say enthusiastically.

“Oh, yippee,” he replies deadpan, making me laugh.

We both take sips of our drinks and quietly watch the hilariously cute rom-com.

I awaken to silence. I’m not sure what time it is, but the TV screen is black, and the only light in the room spills from the tree in the corner. I rub my eyes, gradually remembering where I am—and who I’m with. Only then do I realize Asher and I must have fallen asleep sitting up during the movie. My head lies on his shoulder, and the comforter is tucked beneath my chin. With my legs pulled up and folded against Asher’s side, I’m cozy and warm and comfortable.

But I’m also so thirsty.

I lift my head and slowly inch away, covering him with the blanket as I go. Asher’s head is tilted back, resting on the couch at an odd angle, but his breaths are soft and quiet. My eyes catch on his slightly parted lips before I grab our empty mugs off the coffee table and carry them to the kitchen. Once I’ve had a glass of water, I put the cup in the sink. I’m heading back to the living room just as Asher is shuffling in, startling me.

“Sorry,” he whispers, his voice more of a sleepy croak. “What are you doing?”

“My chocolate-covered teeth left me parched,” I whisper back.

He gives me a drowsy lopsided smile—one that perfectly matches his heavy eyelids and disheveled hair. “Only you would say ‘parched.’ ”

“What are you doing?” I ask.

“I thought you went to sleep in the basement, but then I heard someone in here.”

“Oh. Do you want me to go sleep in the basement?”