Another day closer to Christmas, another dedication 😊 Today's chapter is dedicated to @romabloom Since you speak French, I'll say it in my language: Merci pour ton amitié, ma douce, je t'adore 😘❤

I smile in front of the white, red, and green Christmas-themed shapes laying on a large plate in the center of the kitchen's island.

There are a ton more already packed in shiny packets, ready for this afternoon, and actually, we have much more than usual because, after many laughs and not much hesitation, Theone and I have decided that it would be safer to bake some 'normal' cookies, in case the ones made with chemical colorful love wouldn't taste good.

I still don't know how they taste because I haven't got the time to try one between baking twice more cookies than usual, laughing until my stomach hurt, and then cleaning the mess we've made because of course, leaving Theone around sticky, colorful icing isn't wise, and I may have contributed to the mess, but only to strike back and make his cocky left dimple disappear – it hasn't vanished, yet the red icing covered it nicely.

Anyway, we've finished just when Jason and Emily have come back from their shopping trip and Aden has gone back from the hospital. Apparently, the emergency department has been full because of a dubious chocolate mousse at a seniors' Christmas party and of a few reckless kids who couldn't wait for snow to go sledding.

Once everyone has been at home, well, almost everyone, since my mom has still been at work, it's been quite the rush with the dinner, and of course, taking care of Aden like the good 'fake' girlfriend I am. 

Indeed, like my mom has predicted, it's a wrist sprain, and Aden has a bandage to hold his wrist and prevent him from moving it. Luckily, it's his left hand, so he still can write his articles, though I've still insisted to help him the most I can. So with all of this, I haven't even found one minute to grab a cookie.

However, right now, standing alone in the kitchen, there is nothing standing in the way between me and these tempting cookies, and it's exactly the energy I need for today. This is a long day ahead, but I'm ready to tackle it. 

I've listed all the new ideas I've got for the decoration of the function room that we're starting this morning, and I'm still motivated to check something off my other precious secret list. 

Yesterday may not have turned like I've imagined, yet when I look at the snowflake-shaped cookie in my hand, I realize it hasn't been that bad. Actually, it's been really good and surprising.

Just staring at the messy icing that forms a gradation of red and white – because of a little fight we've had with Theone for the colors on this cookie before we've each done our own pile of pastries – it brings back all the lightness in my stomach. It's been so long since I've felt this carefree, and it's been like being a kid again, laughing because of stupid things and being spontaneous. Theone has really lifted my mood as I've been mourning in my despair, and I won't tell him, otherwise I will never hear the end of it, but I think my boost of energy and motivation is thanks to him.

I wonder if the cookies will taste as sweet and light as childhood. From the colorful dots poking out on their bottom side, I think they will, but maybe they'll be a disaster. 

It's weird that we haven't got a review from anyone yet, though it's surely because it's still early, and yes, it's unusual for me to be already up. I don't know what's up with me but my legs feel restless this morning. Maybe I've talked too soon though, as it vanishes when someone enters the kitchen.

"Let me just grab a bottle of water!" Aden appears behind the door in black sweatpants and a matching light jacket, yet it's not this heavenly sight that freezes me; it's the one following.

"Oh, wait, I'll grab a cookie too!" Theone's voice resounds behind the door before he quickly barges in the room, and it's his outfit that paralyzes me an inch away from biting in my cookie.

He's wearing grey sweatpants, a white tee-shirt that says 'troublemaker' and that fits him perfectly in every way, his usual gray beanie, and like Aden, sneakers.

"What are you doing?" I ask, staring with wide eyes between Theone and Aden.

"We're going running, baby." My heart flutters as Aden leaves a kiss on my temple, surely because of our audience, and I should be enjoying this warmth, but I'm too focused on Theone, who is holding his snicker with the hold of his teeth.

My heart jumps in fright when his left dimple flashes, and I really take in Aden's words.

"What?! But... with your wrist?! No, you should be resting." I gently grab his wrist, now able to look at it since the swollen bruise is hidden under a white gauze.

"I'm not using my wrist to run." Aden chuckles softly. "Don't worry. And I love running every morning, you know it," he adds, though it's one of the rare information I don't know.

"So you're going together? Only you two?" My big eyes travel from Aden to Theone, trying to force a natural smile, while I'm praying for Santa to make someone else appears, but I doubt anyone else would go at such an early hour.

 "Yep," Theone replies, grabbing a cookie.

"I'm going with you!" I exclaim, stopping them before they can even think of leaving the room, and I don't even know why I've said this. It's a survival instinct in front of Theone's smirk, or maybe because of his 'troublemaker' shirt that looks like a warning.

"You?!" Theone looks as shocked as me by my suggestions, but I don't let it show, straightening my back.

"Yes, me."

"You hate running, you always skipped PE, and ended up with the record of the worst mark." Theone lifts one of his eyebrows, his green eyes trying to pierce through my bullshit.

"It was a long time ago. I've changed." The truth is that my hate for running has only grown.

But there is an image even more terrifying for me than running shoes: Theone and Aden alone. God knows what guys talk about when they're working out. The sweat and endorphins are prompt to confidences, and I'm already scared enough that they're sharing the same room. With Theone, who knows what can slip out of his mouth, unintentionally or intentionally, and especially when his dimples are just around the corner of his lips, like right now.

"So you go running with your boyfriend every day now?" Theone taunts, his left dimple indenting on his cheek even if he's fighting to keep a serious and curious expression, and the daggers I send him through my gaze only seem to encourage him more.

"Yes, she does," Aden replies with a smile, putting an arm around my shoulders.

He's so sweet, and once again, so oblivious to the whole situation. If he knew that he doesn't have to put an act in front of Theone... but I'd rather not tell him because I think it would only make things more complicated, and that way, I can still enjoy his warm touch so close. Although with Theone laughing under his breath and barely hiding it while drinking a glass of orange juice and almost choking on it, I don't know how he doesn't see it.

"I'll go get ready, wait for me." I turn to Aden's soft eyes, offering him a smile, before I head out of the kitchen with one last glare that I hope clearly says 'Don't even dare to spill something' towards Theone. Though I wonder if he ever cares about what I'm saying, whether it's with my eyes or with my mouth.

So that's why I rush up the stairs and into my bedroom, grabbing the first clothes I find that can be quite appropriate for working out and throw them on.

I get out of my room as fast, not wanting to leave one more second for Theone to open his mouth, and I'm already out-of-breath when I run into a hard chest.

"Ouch! Little P, where are you running?"

I lift up my head to meet my brother's eyes still half-closed, and I don't even complain because it's clear that he still hasn't had his cup of coffee.

"Why are you wearing sports clothes?" His eyes widen as he takes in my appearance.

"Duh, because I'm going running." 

Why does everyone think it's impossible? The way he blinks his eyes at me as if he's just seen Santa appearing in the middle of the hallway is really offensive.

I rush down the stairs before he can add something else that would hurt the few dignity I've left and that I need to motivate myself to go running in the cold, especially because Aden is waiting at the bottom of the stairs.

"Oh, and don't forget that you have to go pick up Bill at the repair shop with Dad!" I turn to find Jason slowly walking down the stairs, yet he's just behind me.

It's not fair, and that's one of the reasons why I hate to run: it's harder when you have small legs.

"Yeah, I know. That's why I'm up this early," he grumbles, but seeing his half-asleep state, I'd rather repeat it just in case.

Though something seems to open his eyes wide and wake him up like an electroshock as he glances behind me. I look over my shoulder, almost expecting to really see Santa Claus, or at least, one of his reindeers, yet it's something almost as improbable.

"Are you guys checking my sister out?!" Jason gasps, making me jump and almost fall down the rest of the stairs, even more as I glance between the two men downstairs and my now-fully-awake brother.

They're indeed both staring at me, but with Jason's shocked cry, it isn't surprising; I'm sure the whole neighborhood has been alerted. Have they been checking me out before?! Aden?! Theone?!

"You, go change yourself!" Jason instructs me, totally serious, and it's my turn to blink at him, but sadly, he doesn't seem to realize how ridiculously he's acting as he adds, "That's my little sister!"

"I'm not!" Theone defends, though I swear it almost sounds like a question.

I let my gaze slide to Aden, who stays silent, and technically, he has no reason to justify himself as 'my boyfriend'. Has he been staring at me? Right now, he mostly looks confused, and I understand because, for any normal person, my brother can be a little excessive sometimes. Actually, my whole family is. Has it really been a good idea to bring him here? Well, if he's been checking me out, maybe it's working.

"Then at least stop staring now," Jason groans. "And you, go change!"

I finally react, my spinning and sugar-deprived brain coming back to its senses after this surreal scene. "No, I'm not changing. It's an outfit to go running, so stop being overdramatic." I glance down at my black legging and blue light sweater that are nothing special except that they are pretty close-fitting. "I'm not 12, so stop acting like an overprotective brother," I cut him off as he opens his mouth, and I walk down the stairs in the sudden silence of the room.

When I'm finally near the door, they're still all looking at me, and I give them even more reasons to when I declare, "Now, can we go running?"

I would have never imagined I would pronounce these words, at least not without torture. But I've been suffocating in the hallway, all those eyes on me, and all those questions filling my head. 

I shouldn't make a big deal of it; it's surely only Jason being overly dramatic. Yet I can't help the giddiness and hope spreading on my skin like a trail of little fairy lights, along with a shiver I can't describe that must be because of the coldness of the morning, and it sparks even more when I feel eyes on me again as we exit the driveway. 

I turn around, but I'm not met by the shining cinnamon gaze I expect; instead, it's penetrating jade eyes that bring me back the same boiling sensation.

"I guess we're taking the shorter road, unless you prefer the long one for your athlete skills?" Theone lifts an eyebrow.

"Yeah, the shorter," I can only mutter as Aden finishes to tie his sneakers and joins us.

Though inside, I'm shouting curse words that I'm sure Theone can guess through the mocking sparkle in his eyes. Jason must really not see straight because I doubt Theone can ever look at me any other way than this.

***

"Now, can we stop?" I ask through my ragged breaths, holding my stomach for dear life as a stitch is spreading from my hip to my throat.

"Already?! It's barely been 30 minutes?!" Theone widens his eyes, more in amusement than shock, as he jogs back and forth between me and the crossroad that will either lead us back to the cozy warm home or to more miles of torture.

"Yes, please." At this point, yes, I'm begging, but I've lost my dignity somewhere along the road with the sensations in my legs and one of my lungs. "We don't have time for more." I manage to form concrete arguments. I don't even know how; it must be a survival instinct.

"You're sure you're okay?" Aden appears beside me, as fresh as Theone, while I'm about to either melt in my sweat or dry out off thirst, though I might just collapse on the ground.

How are they not even short of breath when I know they've run three more laps than me?

I've tried to follow them, eager to clear my thoughts and prove Theone wrong, yet we haven't reached the end of the street that I haven't been able to keep up with them. I've assured them that I've been fine, but I must not be really convincing, and right now, they must be worried about the state of my lungs. Well, Aden is, his brown eyes looking at me in a mix of guilt, worry, and sorry expression, while Theone is barely holding his laugh, his green eyes flashing with amusement.

"Yeah, I'm fine... I just need to stop."

"That's strange for someone so used to run to be this out-of-breath so quickly?" Theone furrows his eyebrows, though it can't hide the devilish glint in his eyes, and if I had any strength left in me, I would strangle him right here, right now, even in front of Aden.

I don't know why people say that running clears your mind and makes you feel lighter, but it's surely the same people who make you believe in Santa because my muscles feel like lead, and my mind is even fuller than before, mostly filled with curse words and plots to murder Theone.

"It must be the cold weather, it's so different from San Francisco," Aden tries kindly, offering me his arm as we enter the house's driveway.

"And I'm tired because of the jet lag and all," I add, in hope to save some dignity in front of him.

"A good shower and some rest, and I'll be fine." I smile, already picturing the warmth of the water on my sore muscles when we arrive in the familiar and cozy hallway.

There's no better place than home, really. Why have I ever been eager to leave it?

"Well, hurry up because we're going in 10," Theone announces, turning my dreams of a warm shower into a freezing one, even more when he leans closer and whispers for only me to hear, "And you better not make me wait, or I might have to make conversation..."

I once again rush in the stairs with the same shiver of dread traveling down my spine.

Did you expect this kind of hot and cold sweat?! 😰😂 And the most important in all of this: have they been checking her out? Aden?! Theone?! 😏

Tell me what you think in the comments! And don't forget to vote ⭐if you like the story so far!

You've been filling my notifications and my heart with love these past days, and it's really the best present for me!! I love you, my little elves 😘❤