The next morning, I woke up to the sound of Connor playing the piano.

I wouldn't consider him good, though. He was pushing random keys, singing - no, yelling - a Christmas song.

I glanced at the clock. It was 10 a.m.

I sighed and rolled out of my bed, opening the door and heading into the living room.

Connor was sitting on a wooden stool, whacking random sections of the piano.

"What are you doing?" I asked, the noise muffling my voice. "You do realize Christmas has already passed, right?"

"I know," he replied, "Doesn't mean I'm not allowed to sing Christmas songs. I'm good, aren't I? I should audition for The Voice."

"Suuree."

He froze and turned around, furrowing his eyebrows. "I sense a little sarcasm. You think you're better than me?"

I smirked, folding my arms across my chest. "I know I'm better than you."

He raised his brows, "Oh yeah? What makes you say that?"

"I've taken piano lessons since the age of like, eight."

"True," he shrugged, "but I'm a natural. No one is better than me."

"Sure." I laughed. "Anyway, where's aunt Diane?"

"She went grocery shopping."

"And Natalie?"

"She's still asleep."

"Alright then." I yawned and went into the kitchen, taking out the blender. I opened the fridge, grabbing a carton of orange juice. Reaching into the freezer, I found a nearly empty bag of frozen fruit. I spilled the rest of the bag into the blender, pouring juice on top. Blending it all together, I drowned out the sound of Connor's singing and attempt to play the piano. When I was done, I sloshed it into a glass and went back into the living room. I plopped down on the couch.

Connor turned around, eyeing the smoothie I had in my hands. "I want one. Can I have one?"

I nodded.

"Good. Go make me one."

I rolled my eyes. "No. Go make your own."

"I'm practicing."

"I don't care."

He released a sigh and got up from the piano, heading into the kitchen. Hearing the ear-splitting noise of the blender, I'm surprised I had managed to hear the text I received. It was from Landon.

A few minutes later, Connor returned to the living room. He took a sip from his cup and winced. "It's cold."

"You put frozen fruit in it, no kidding it's cold."

He shrugged and put it down on the coffee table, sitting down on the sofa chair facing me. "I'm bored."

"Same here."

Connor reached for my cell phone. He pressed the home button and the screen lit up, revealing the notification I had received from Landon.

"Landon texted you."

"I know."

"Do you want to hang out with them?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"Because."

Connor rolled his eyes and leaned back in the sofa chair. "Please?"

"No."

He sighed.

Suddenly, in a loud, high-pitched voice, he called Natalie's name. "Natalie!"

No reply.

"Natalie!" He repeated.

No reply.

"Nat-"

"What!" She shouted from her room.

Connor giggled and said nothing.

"What do you want?" A long pause. "Hello? Connor! ...Answer me, my god!"

He proceeded to ignore her.

There was a sigh, followed by footsteps approaching the living room. "You little annoying turd." She muttered under her breath. "I swear this better be important."

She entered, still in her PJs, bags under her eyes. "What?" She repeated.

Connor grinned and finally spoke. "Want to see Julien today?"

Her face lit up. "Huh?"

"Julien. Landon texted Rory asking if we wanted to join them skiing today. Julien's probably gonna be there."

Her face flushed bright red. "Uh, okay. Okay, yeah sure." She tried to act casual, but let's face it, Natalie was a horrible actress.

Connor glanced at me, mouthing the word 'tomato.'

"Where's aunt Diane?" She asked quickly.

"Switching topics, I see." Connor grinned.

"Oh shut up, Connor. Where is she?"

"Went grocery shopping. She should be back soon, though. Then we can ask if we can hang out with Landon and Julien."

She rolled her eyes and said nothing. There was a long pause.

"Hey," Connor said, "want to see my amazing piano and singing skills? I'm a pro. Just ask Rory."

She headed out of the room. "Whatever."

Connor grinned, "Anddd, Natalie's 'I don't give a shiz' attitude is back."

I laughed.

"I heard that!" Natalie warned.

"Good."