I woke up with Mini beside me when someone knocked at my door.

“Come in.” I yawned.

“Hey,” Olivia came in, “I didn’t know you were still sleeping.” She said sheepishly.

“It’s alright, what time is it?” I asked, sitting up straight.

“It’s noon.”

Woah, I slept the whole morning.

“You need something?” I wondered.

“No... It’s just we didn’t get to talk much, so I was thinking if you’d want to go shopping with me and gossiping and all...” she trailed off. I sat there blinking.

“I, eh...”

“It’s okay if you don’t want to.” She rushed.

“No, I’d love to. It’s just I got some plans with Daniel today, so how about tomorrow?” I offered.

“Sure,” she beamed, “I’ll leave then.”

Goodness, she is so sweet; I have no idea how Caleb got this lucky!

After getting ready to go out with Daniel, I went downstairs. Grandpa and my brothers were watching the news while grandma and Olivia were setting the tables.

We had lunch together and talked about Christmas plans. I was telling them about the shopping I did with Daniel when my brother interrupted me.

“Why are you hanging out with him so much?” Caleb asked, narrowing his eyes.

The bell ring and Owen got up to check it.

“It’s none of your business, Caleb.” I hissed.

“I already know about your crush on him, Tori.” My eyes widened at that.

How the hell did he know about it? I never told a single soul.

“I don’t know what you are talking about.” I tried to play it cool.

“Pft! Please it’s pretty obvious.” He scoffed.

“No, it isn’t.” I snapped.

“Yes, it is. You’re like an open book.” He smirked.

We continued arguing and my grandparents were silently eating, knowing it was normal for us while Olivia watched us, not knowing what to do.

“Just admit it, Tori.”

“Fine!” I threw my hands up in frustration “I. like Daniel Moore. Any problem with that?!” I screamed, having enough of it.

He smirked at me and darted his eyes behind, making me turn. My eyes widened when I saw Daniel standing there, his face flushed.

“Hi. I uh I’m here to pick you, Tori.” He stuttered, massaging the back of his neck.

Shit! Did he hear me?

Kill me now!

Mini barked, smirking. [Busted!]

I stood up, clearing my throat. “Excuse us, we need places to be,” I said, yanking Mini and ran out of the house, sitting in Daniel’s car.

[What are you doing to do now?] She asked.

“I don’t know.” I groaned, sinking in the seat.

After a while, Daniel came out of my house grinning.

[Why the hell is he grinning?]

“I have no idea.” I watched him getting into his seat.

When he glanced at me, I looked away, not meeting his gaze.

[This is awkward.] Mini grunted.

*~*~*~*~*

We drove in silence, never saying a word. My brother had to make things awkward between us. We were driving away from the town towards the woods.

Where are we going?

After a while, a cottage came into view. I glimpsed at Daniel, who was looking straight ahead, humming a Christmas song.

When we reached the cottage, he got out of the car. I followed him and went inside. It was a small, cozy cottage, but was well furnished.

“Who lives here?” I asked, finally getting rid of the awkwardness.

“No one.” He went inside, switching the fireplace. “It used to be my grandfather’s but now it’s mine.” He finally looked at me, smiling at me.

I nodded and looked around the place. There were few old pictures of his family and him. I observed the sixteen-year-old boy with whom I fall in love with.

Wait... Love?

Am I really in love with him or it’s just a crush?

I heard some movement behind me and turned to see Daniel standing close to me.

“You ready?” He smiled.

“For?” I raised an eyebrow.

“This.” He pointed to the tree and the stuff we borrowed yesterday. “We are going to decorate.” He beamed.

No Fu-

It’s been hours since we’ve been decorating the house. Daniel and I are a great team. We did everything together; first, we decorated the front of the cottage, then we moved inside, even Mini helped with few things. We took a break and shared old memories.

We were now decorating the tree, the awkwardness between us vanished like it never happened, and we were joking around and laughing. Never in a million worlds. I thought I would say this but; I was having fun.

I Victoria Bell Jones, who loathe this season was having fun.

I shared some memories of my parents with Daniel, how we all used to decorate our house together just like this, and baked cookies with mom and grandma. I didn’t feel sad when I was talking about them like I used to. It was like Daniel. In an instant took me out of that phase of hating every memory.

When we finished decorating the tree, I was about to put the star on when Daniel stopped me.

“Leave that for later.” I looked at him.

“We are going to come back again?” I asked.

“Of course we will.” He grinned.

It was already dark outside when we left the cottage; I thought he would drop me home, but when he made a different turn, I glanced at him.

“Where are we going now?”

“I’m not done with you.” He smirked.

Oh, boy!

*~*~*~*~*

“You’ve got to be kidding!” I exclaimed when I saw where he took me.

“What? Don’t tell me you hate ice skating too.” He scoffed, rolling his eyes as he wore his shoes.

“No, I don’t hate it but come on Daniel we’re not kids.” I laughed nervously.

He looked at me, confused, then his eyes lit up. “Don’t tell me...” I gulped. “You don’t know how to ice skate.” It was not a question.

“Pft! Of course, I do.” I lied.

“Look at Mini, even she is skating.” He was right. I didn’t know where she learned that from, but she was good.

“Ok fine. I don’t know how to skate. Happy?” I grunted.

“Please try it once for me.” He pouted, giving me puppy eyes.

“I don’t want to die,” I whispered.

“I won’t let you.” He smiled.

And I believed him. It was really difficult for me to even stand but with the help of Daniel; I did. I almost fell few times but Daniel was there to save me, he taught me how to skate and I did it for a while then I got exhausted.

Who knew skating would be this tiring?

“I’m so tired right now, but I had so much fun!” I giggled.

“I’m glad you did.” Daniel beamed.

We were walking back to his car when Daniel grabbed my wrist, making me halt. I turned and looked at him. His eyes were so hypnotizing that I couldn’t look away from him.

“Tori...” He whispered and dragging me towards him.

I gulped, moving. “Y-yeah?”

I stood in front of him, his eyes darting between mine. He placed his hands on my waist, making my stomach flip.

“I like you too.” He said, making my heart stopped.

I think I just died.

*~*~*~*~*