Page 147 of Meet Me at the Metro

“Now, what fun would that be?”

“How are you going to break the good news then?”

“By wrapping it in shiny paper and a big fat red bow,” I grin, the delight of the holidays warming my bones as we make our way out to the frost-bitten courtyard.

Somehow, even in the chill of December, the campus’s gardens still flourish. The beautiful flowers that once bloomed on its dark, deep green shrubs have been replaced by cool, dew drops and nets of warm white Christmas lights. Large, oversized ornaments in shades of white, gold, red, and green are scattered perfectly along the school ground’s frozen garden beds and grasses. White, decorative snowflake lights hang in the tall, wide window panes we pass.

As my eyes absorb all the festive sights, I have difficulty deciding which season I enjoy seeingGildenhill’sbeautiful, old-fashioned architecture in most.

While Connor and I walk along the slick, cobblestone pathways of campus, I ask, “Well, what about you? What are your plans for the holidays?”

“Not much,” he shrugs. “Sleep. Eat. Repeat. It’s always just mum and me now, so we never do much. We used to before—” he stops speaking before he completes the rest of that sentence. “Well, you know...”

I nod, even though I still don’t trulyknowwhat happened to Connor and Theo’s dad—I just know he’s gone. Neither of the brothers seems ready to say exactly what happened to him all those years ago, and I know better than to keep digging for the truth that neither of them is ready to confess just yet.

Connor swallows, trying to keep his expression void of the emotions I guarantee are pent up inside of him, but I notice the way he bites the inside of his lip—the way he blinks hard as if he’s tryingnotto recall that day.

“Come celebrate with us tonight,” I blurt, not thinking twice about it.

I don’t want him to spend the holiday without any friends. He deserves laughter with companions that will make his belly hurt and the intoxicating thrill of tearing open presents that hide under a Christmas tree.

“Where at?”

“At the flat. Evie, Harvey, Theo, and I are throwing together a small party. We’re going to playDirty Santaand blast Christmas music and drink until we can’t stand straight anymore. Come, please? It’ll be so much fun.”

“I don’t know,” he mutters, rubbing the back of his neck as if he’s suddenly growing shy. “I don’t want to intrude.”

“Evie will hardly think you’re intruding. She’ll have a boy to tease for the night. She’ll eat up every second.”

He chuckles. “She’s a mess.”

I grin. “Is that a yes?”

“No. Theo will probably have a very different opinion than Evie.”

“You two are going to have to reconcile eventually.”

“And you think tonight is a good night to start that?”

I shrug. “It’s as good of a night as any.”

“I don’t have a present to bring for theDirty Santa,” he says—as if it’s a proper argument.

“So we’ll stop on the way there and get one.” I grab his wrist and tug him with me before he can object any further.

“You’re pushy, you know that?”

“I know,” I snort, knowing Theo would share the same opinion.

We turn onto a main street, heading for the train station. Beautiful angels hover between the tall buildings lining each side of the busy city avenue, their white lit-up wings twinkling as they stretch wide over the taxi cab-congested road.

“You at least going to warn him that I’m coming?”

“I think he’ll take a surprise appearance better.”

Connor shakes his head vehemently. “Why do you think that?”

“Because he won’t have the time to throw a proper fit,” I tease, enjoying the brush of warm air against my shivering body as we pass a bustling bakery.

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