Page 22 of Check the Halls
The second I walked into Scott Walker’s annual New Year’s Eve party and saw the sweaty crush of bodies and the half-empty bottles scattered everywhere, I knew it wasn’t my scene. I tried to make the best of it, but there’s only so many loud, in-your-face beer breath conversations I can have in one evening. But Jasmine said that he’d be here.
She also promised to stay by my side all night, but it’s just shy of midnight and she’s inside fighting with her boyfriend, Jared, while I’m freezing my ass off out here.
A group of girls shuffles past the window, laughing andclinging to each other for balance. I watch them for a second before glancing up at the sky. It’s a muted gray, the kind that makes the stars look faint and far away.
The door slides open behind me, and I prepare myself for what is likely unwanted company.
“Hey.”
My breath catches at the low and familiar voice that’s been making my heart race for months. I turn slowly, trying to act casual.
Ben stands there, hands shoved in the pockets of his hoodie, his breath curling in soft white puffs in the cold air. His hair is slightly mussed, like he’s been running his fingers through it, and there’s a faint red flush to his cheeks.
“Why are you not wearing a coat? It’s freezing out here. Are you crazy?” He’s part amused, part concerned.
My lips quirk. “‘We’re all mad here. I’m mad. You’re mad.’”
He regards me, curiously.
“It’s a Mad Hatter quote fromAlice’s Adventures in Wonderland,” I explain. “It’s my favourite book.”
Ben unzips his hoodie and shrugs it off. “Here, Madness, put this on.” He drapes it over my shoulders, the heavy cotton deliciously warm from his body heat.
“Madness? Really?” He’s been coming up with different nicknames for me for months and they never fail to bring a smile to my lips.
“I think it’s my new favourite,” he smirks, tilting his head. “Very fitting considering you’re out here by yourself, probably freezing your ass off.”
“My ass is fine,” I insist, trying to keep my teeth from chattering.
“I’ll say,” he mutters under his breath before coming to stand beside me. He steps closer, his sneakers crunching in the snow. “So you’re just… hanging out here alone?”
I nod, staring at the snow instead of his stupid handsome face. “Pretty much.” He thinks I’m weird. Am I weird? No. I just know who I am and what I like and social gatherings that revolve around hearing loss and alcohol poisoning are not high on the list.
For a moment, he doesn’t say anything, and I think he’s going to leave. But then he leans against the railing next to me, his shoulder brushing mine.
“Works for me.” He exhales a breath that hangs in the air between us.
“Why?
“Why what?”
“Why are you hanging out here? The party is in there.” I nod towards the house that’s in desperate need of parental supervision.
“The party is wherever I am.” His grin lights up the entire back yard. “Besides, this is the first time I’ve seen you outside of class. How come you never go to parties?”
“I’m busy. I do a lot of volunteering. At the hospital, the animal shelter...” I trail off.
“Well, I’m glad you’re here tonight.”
“You are?”
“Yeah. Getting to flirt with you off school property might yield better results.”
I spin my head in his direction so fast I almost hurt myself. “You’ve been flirting with me?”
Ben’s gaze shifts to the sky as he shakes his head likehe’s asking the heavens for help. “Ouch. I’ve been giving you my A-game for months.”
“I didn’t notice,” I say, biting down on my lip. Giddiness threatens to short circuit my brain.
