Page 136 of Holiday Friend Zones
He shakes his head, and a few snowflakes come off.Then he buckles his seatbelt, none the wiser to what’s going through my head.
“Let’s get you home,” he says.
I nod, unable to find my voice.
I just need to get home and lock myself in my house.Then I can compartmentalize these feelings and regroup before I ruin what’s left of our friendship after I stupidly kissed him when I first arrived home.
Fifteen minutes later, we pull into his driveway.There are no Christmas lights on next door at my place.Mom must have forgotten to turn them on before she left.I follow in his footsteps again on the way to my house and when I unlock the door and go to turn on the lights, nothing happens.
“The grid is out!”Mr.Temple shouts from across the street.
I’ve been successful in dodging Tyler’s dad since I returned home, until now.
I peek next door to Luke’s house and see the Christmas tree in the living room window shining bright from inside.The grid is right between our two houses.It’s how our parents first meet.At least that’s the story—Luke’s parents moved in, and a big storm took out their power.My parents invited them over, and they put us in a playpen while they played cards, and an instant friendship formed between them.
“How long now?”Luke hollers back.
The two of them have a conversation, but no matter what, this isn’t good for me.
“We’ve got the generator, come on over,” Mr.Temple says.
Luke glances at me and I give him an expression to say, “No fucking way.”
“Thanks.I got it handled.”He waves to Mr.Temple.
I don’t even bother to look but hear Mr.Temple’s front door close.Thank God.
“I’ll be fine,” I say.
He scoffs and bends down, picking me up fireman style.“I’ll be fine,” he mimics my voice.“Give me a break, Saylor.You’re coming with me.”
ChapterFour
SAYLOR
Luke lowers me down on his front porch, completely decorated—doormat and all—for the holidays.
“When did you become so domesticated?”I ask as he unlocks the door.His chest brushes my back as he pushes it open, letting me go in first.
His Christmas tree is lit up, covered in colored lights and mismatched ornaments.Garland winds around the staircase, and every surface is topped with knick-knacks of Christmas sayings and candles.It’s like stepping back to when his parents lived here, and suddenly all the memories of growing up side by side with Luke during the holidays rush through my mind.
His mom’s homemade chocolate chip cookies and hot cocoa with the tiny marshmallows she had out for us after we’d play in the snow all morning.We’d make forts, snowmen and snow angels.Running through the house and sneaking every dessert during his parents’ annual Christmas party before we’d go up to his room and watch a movie.
“That’s what happens when you’re an only child.”
I walk around the space I was in just six months ago during the summer, unsure of exactly how we’re going to get past the awkwardness and back to the friendship we once had.
He breezes past me, then opens the fridge.“So, what do you feel like?”
I follow him into the kitchen.Even his placemats are a combination of red and green plaid.“I feel like I’ve walked back in time.”I run my finger along the woven thread.
He glances over his shoulder.“I still hate shopping.”
I giggle because did I really think he went out during the years to buy more Christmas stuff than what was left to him?
“How are your parents doing, anyway?”
“They’re fine.They’re supposed to drive back into Willowbrook on Christmas Eve.”
