December 24, 2018

     Tonight, a group of my friends and I are going to a Christmas Eve party. The party doesn't start until 6:30 so Callie, Taylor and I decided to spend a few hours at my house before going out to eat.

Skipping down the stairs in a pair of sweatpants and a tank top, I turn the corner and enter the kitchen. Nick was sitting at the table stuffing a Christmas cookie into his mouth. He was wearing a black tux with a red tie. He unwillingly had to tag along with my parents who were going to a small party for my mom's job.

I smirked, snatching a cookie for myself from the plate on the counter. Turning to face my little brother, I grin. "Hey, have fun."

He rolled his eyes, groaning inwardly as he got up. Just then, dad strides in, wearing a similar tuxedo. "Hey, Lona. We're heading out in a few minutes. You sure you don't want to tag along?"

I glanced at Nick before responding. "Yeah, I'm sure. I already made plans, but tell me how it goes, okay?" Dad nods, his smile reaching his eyes.

Ten minutes later, they were off. I let out a deep sigh.

Just as I started to head up to my room, their was a sharp knock on the door.

Raising an eyebrow, I retreat back down stairs. It's probably Taylor.

But when I swung open the door, I looked into the familiar hazel eyes that didn't belong to Taylor. "Drew!" I chirp, a grin appearing on my lips.

Without a word, he rested his hands on my waist and pulled me closer to him. "Hey, beautiful," He greeted me, followed by multiple quick kisses being placed on my lips.

Holding back a giggle, I wrap my arms around his neck. "What are you doing here?"

He grins, not removing his hands from my waist. "I wanted to see my girlfriend."

I smiled, quickly pecking him on the lips once more before pulling away from him.

After our date on Thanksgiving, we hung out almost everyday. On the first of December, he asked me out.

He had told me he would have asked me out sooner, he just wanted us to get to know each other a little bit better before we became girlfriend and boyfriend. That's one of the many things I love about him.

He really cares about my feelings and he doesn't want to rush into anything which I am grateful for.

Taking his hand in mine, I pull him into the house, shutting the door behind him.

Looking down at my attire, I blush. "I was just about to take a shower."

He smiled, stuffing his hands into the pockets of his jeans. "Why not just wear that? You look beautiful."

I playfully slap his arm, trying to hide the blush that crept onto my cheeks. "You can stay in the living room. I'll be twenty minutes."

He nods, making his way over to the couch, grabbing the TV remote as he did. "A girl's definition of twenty minutes is actually an hour."

Rolling my eyes, I climb up the stairs two at a time.

* * * *

     After my ten minute shower, I wrapped a towel around my body before heading for my room.

Shutting the door behind me, I start to look through my closet for an outfit to wear which takes about another twenty minutes.

Maybe Drew was right. I still had to do my makeup and hair which would take about a half an hour.

* * * *

     "Done," I announce, twirling to look at Drew who had waltzed into my room fifteen minutes ago. He said he got bored watching TV. Like watching me attempt to apply a winged liner was any more entertaining.

He propped himself onto his elbows, spread across my bed. "Finally," he muttered quietly.

Again, I rolled my eyes.

Examining my outfit in the mirror, I nod in satisfaction.

I was planning on getting dressed up tonight, so I decided to be simple until then.

Taylor and Callie had both arrived when I was in the shower, but they had stayed downstairs until I was ready.

"Are you coming with us? We're going out to eat."

Drew stood, approaching me slowly. "No, I was going to head over to Luke's house. I'll see you later tonight."

He pulled me in for a tight hug before placing a gentle kiss on my cheek. With that, he descended the stairs.

After cleaning up my room a little bit, I made sure I had my phone and money. Before I exited my room, I glanced at my eye makeup in the mirror. Good enough.

* * * *

     "So, where'd you want to go eat?" Taylor asks as I join my two best friends in the living room. Biting my lower lip, I drop my purse behind the couch before sitting next to Callie.

"How many restaurants are even open around here?" Callie raises a finger to her lips and narrows her eyes. "I think Donovan's is open until like 4:00."

Looking at Taylor who was seated on the love seat to our right, I raise an eyebrow. "You wanna go there?"

She shrugs, standing to her feet. "Yeah, I'm craving their french fries."

Callie stands up too. "Yeah, they are the best around."

I follow suit and pull the house key out of my pocket. "Okay, I'm gonna ask a few other girls if they want to come."

The two of them nod silently as I pull out my phone.

Sliding my phone into my purse, I turn and face the girls. "How many are coming?"

Glancing at Callie, I smile. "Um, seven including us."

Taylor snorts, picking up her purse from the couch. "A few turned into a handful. Sweet."

Rolling my eyes, I turn off all of the lights and make my way to the front door. "Are we taking separate cars or what?"

They're silent for a few seconds before Callie speaks up. "We'll just ride with you."

"Then I call shot gun!" Taylor hollered as she darted out of the house, leaving Callie and I behind. Shaking my head, I gesture for Callie to step out first.

Locking up the house, Callie and I make our way to my car at a leisurely pace.

* * * *

     When we pull into the gravel parking lot, I notice that Abbie and Sara are already waiting for us at the front of the restaurant.

"You invited them?" Taylor asks, irritation slightly lacing her tone. Shrugging, I pull into a parking spot and glance at her. "Stop Tay. They may be younger than us, but they're cool. Chill out."

Taylor just rolls her eyes and steps out of the car.

Ever since the school year started, Taylor has been acting like everyone that is not a senior doesn't deserve to talk to "the leaders" which of course, are us seniors. I try to ignore her seeing as almost all of the graduates from last year acted the same way. But sometimes it gets annoying and downright mean.

Callie sighs from the back as she pulls herself out of the car next.

She meets me at the front of the car, watching as Taylor marches up to the two sophomores scowls at them and stomps into the building.

"It's Christmas Eve and Taylor's acting like being seen with underclassman's is the end of the world. We have to keep an eye on her," Callie whispers, making sure Abbie and Sara don't hear us.

Nodding, I loop my arm through hers. "Yeah. She'll be fine in a few minutes. I hope."

* * * *

Andrew DeRain played by Ryan Guzman

I have no words for him :D

Just wait until you get to know him ;)

Hello friends! How's it going? So another chapter is complete and ready! This chapter is mostly a fill in, but I hope you enjoyed it anyway!

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