Page 55 of A Very Merry Enemy
It will be the first time I’ve been close enough to Lucas tospeak to him since Saturday night. I’m already dreading it. But then again, I can do hard things.
I arrive at the community center early, hoping to find a seat in the front to avoid him.
The building is decorated like a Christmas wonderland with lights wrapped around every column, a massive tree in the lobby with ornaments made by local school kids, and twinkling lights strung across the ceiling. The air smells like funnel cakes from the annual winter festival that’s happening right now in the town square. Classic holiday music drifts from speakers. Tourists fill the sidewalks, many taking photos, enchanted by the magic of Merryville.
Inside the community room, excitement buzzes. As a contestant, I have to find my name on the list and discover that Mawmaw named us Team Jolly Holiday. It makes me smile as I scribble my signature in the currently empty box.
Most are treating this like the fun small-town tradition it is. Not me. This is my ticket out of here. No one wants me here anyway.
I find a seat a few rows from the front and check my phone. My hands shake and I press them against my thighs. My nerves are getting the best of me, but I stay focused on the front podium, hoping this goes by quickly.
People trickle in. Edna sits behind me with her sisters, Melinda and Brenda.
Edna leans forward. “Not really fair that you entered this contest.”
I laugh. “Scared?”
“Honey, everyone who saw your name on that list is intimidated. Heard a few people dropped out because of you.”
I turn and look at her. “Why?”
“Because let’s get real, you can out bake them in your sleep.”
“Oh, stop gassing me up,” I tell her.
“Now you’re being humble.”
The Waverly family takes seats near the front. My parents arrive with Sammy, who stands by the back door with one of his firefighter friends. Mawmaw enters and speaks to every single person on her way to the front. She comes to me, and I stand to give her a hug.
“Doin’ good?”
“Yes, ma’am,” I say as she glows with Christmas cheer.
Mom catches my eye and gives me a thumbs-up.
At 5:57, someone drops into the seat beside me. I don’t even have to glance over to know it’s Lucas. Freshly showered. Smelling like my past.
My heart stutters and stops.
He doesn’t look at me or speak, just sits close enough for me to feel his body warmth. Our legs touch and it drives me absolutely wild. He’s doing this on purpose.
Heat spreads through my body like wildfire. I’m hyperaware of how damn close he is. Every nerve ending screaming. After three days of nothing, this feels monumental.
Is he doing this for show? For Mawmaw?
He still hasn’t looked at me or acknowledged me at all. I keep my eyes focused forward, but my breathing grows shallow.
Exhaustion, my recent lack of food, and the constant anxiety all crash over me at once. Black spots dance at the edges of my vision, and I close my eyes, then rub my temple.
“Are you okay?” he asks.
“Don’t talk to me.”
“There’s my winning team!” Mawmaw’s voice rings out when she sees Lucas next to me.
Everyone turns to look at us. The tension is thick enough to choke on.
People smile and whisper. Someone giggles. Edna Parker and her sisters lean in, clearly delighted by this development.
