25 || Thanksgiving

"It's Thanksgiving!" My mother trilled opening my curtains.

"Why do you always have to wake me up so early," I groaned, covering my head with my pillow. "Wake up Jason or something."

"Today is an important day," she says.

"Nothing is as important as my sleep. Go away."

I turned away and snuggled deep into my comforter. I heard my mom leave and fell asleep.

When I woke up again it was already noon. Stretching, I yawned and got out of bed slipping on my furry pink slippers before padding downstairs.

I was immediately hit with the smell of food being cooked. My mom was in the kitchen cooking what looked to be a feast.

"I know it's Thanksgiving but there's only four people in our family, not ten," I sat at the counter.

"I tried to tell you earlier but you fell back asleep. Today is an important day," my mom opened a pot to stir whatever was inside.

"And why is that?"

"Taste this," she held out her spoon to me. I shook my head.

"I haven't brushed my teeth yet."

"Well what are you waiting for? Go wash up."

I slid off the stool and went back up to my room where I brushed my teeth, removed my eye boogers and crust from drool, and brushed my hair before tying it up in a bun. Now that my face was fresh I went back downstairs to interrogate my mother on why this was such an important day.

"Where's dad and Jason?" I asked. "And Sheila?"

"Oh they went to go buy a few things we needed."

"Like?"

"Candles, the scented ones, and drinks."

"Are we having a party or something?"

"Taste this," she repeated holding out the spoon to me. Frustrated I pushed it away.

"Not until you tell me what's going on."

She waved the spoon and I rolled my eyes taking a sip. Wow. That was really good.

"What is it?" I said.

"Clam chowder. I found a great recipe online."

I raised a brow. "We're having clam chowder for Thanksgiving?"

"Among other things," she opened the window above the sink.

"What's going on?" I crossed my arms.

Finally she turned to me. "Your father has an important buissness client coming over for dinner tonight."

Well that explained the feast she was preparing and why she needed scented candles.

"Go find something nice to wear. They'll be over around six."

"They'll?"

"Oh she has a son and two daughters."

I turned to go back upstairs and she called after me. "Don't forget to set the table! Use our nice dishes and glassware!"

I picked out a pink boat neck sweater dress and matching scarf along with my pink ankle booties. While I was picking out my outfit I heard Jason, dad, and Sheila come in.

Since there was still time left I scrolled through Instagram, Twitter, and Snapchat. Jason burst into my room.

"It's called knocking," I sat up.

"It's called I don't care. Mom wants you to come set the table."

"Oh? And what're you doing?"

"Going to take a shower," he closed my door and I sighed.

"How many places should I set?" I asked my dad who was tidying up the house.

"Eight."

My mom was bustling about in the kitchen and came out wiping her hands on her apron. "I'll set the table Aubrey. Just go get ready."

"You tell me to set the table and now you won't let me finish?"

"Just go," she takes the plate I was about to set down.

I roll my eyes and go take a shower that lasts me about thirty minutes. When I emerge I get dressed and let my hair dry naturally before going back downstairs. In the time I was getting ready my mom managed to ready herself and was wearing a burgundy dress with little black heels. Her hair was straightened and she had on light makeup.

"Aubrey what on earth?" She sets the turkey in the center of the table. "Go put on some makeup. And do something with your hair."

Jason comes downstairs. "Mom I need help with my tie."

"Honestly," she hurries over to help him.

"Are we having the president over or something?" I cross my arms.

"I told you it's a very important buissness client. Now go."

"Try to look pretty for once," Jason smirks. "I know how hard that is for you."

"Says the nineteen year old who can't put on a tie," I flip him off and stomp back up to my room.

In the process of putting on some mascara I almost poke my eye out. Then there's my hair. I didn't blow dry it! I'm dealing with frizz central.

I use some gel to slick it back as best as I can into a high ponytail. Then I swipe on some lipgloss and pop my lips.

Dad knocks and pokes his head in. He has on a black suit and a burgundy tie. "Ready kiddo?"

"Be down in a minute."

He nods and shuts the door. I turn back to face myself in the mirror and sigh. Something's missing.

I reach for my jar of pink face glitter and apply some to my cheeks to make them sparkle. There.

"Aubrey!" Mom calls.

"Coming!"

"-and this is my daughter," my dad is saying. I reach the landing and look up.

W. T. F.

"Carter?" I blurt. "What the hell are you doing here?"

"Aubrey!" My mother admonishes.

"You live here?" He raises a brow.

"Aubrey!" The twins run up to me and hug my legs.

"I wasn't aware you all knew each other," my dad shoots me a look.

"Oh Aubrey is such a sweetheart. Sometimes she babysits the twins. I hope you don't mind," Ms. King smiles.

"Of course not!" My mother laughs. "What a coincidence you've already met."

My parents and brother shake Carter's hand.

"He's cute," my mom whispers to me winking.

"Mom!" I hiss.

Jason tries to trip me on the way to the table and I give him a dirty look. He shrugs innocently.

"This all looks so delicious," Carter's mom rubs her hands. I end up sitting next to the devil himself.

"So this is where you live," he looks around.

"Yeah and?"

"Nothing, I was just curious to how a witch's lair would look like. "

"Better than hell, which is where you belong by the way."

"Ouch you're hurting my feelings," he replies looking anything but hurt.

We tune back into the general conversation just as a question is directed at me by my mother.

"So," she begins casually. "Are you two dating?"

I choke on the piece of turkey I had just placed in my mouth for two reasons. One because her question was highly embarrassing and two because I actually would like to date Carter.

He just didn't know that.

Jason burst out laughing. "Please like she can even get a boyfriend!"

"Shut up!" I yell, my face most likely a cherry red.

"We're not dating," Carter responds nonchalantly.

"That's too bad," his mother says. "I think you two would be cute together."

Olivia and Sophia are giggling. I'm mortified.

"You know I'm really enjoying watching your high level of discomfort," Carter chuckles. "You always over react to everything love. It's cute."

"I do not over react!"

"You just did."

I glare at him and compose myself. "Isn't it time for dessert?" I ask pointedly.

"You're right," my father stands and goes to retrieve the pie.

In a effort to retire early I practically inhale my pumpkin pie. My mom went overboard and bought three so I'd properly enjoy a slice tommorow.

"Done!" I shove my plate away.

"That was fast," my mom raises a brow at me.

"It's because she's a pig," Jason mutters. I kick him under the table.

"Why don't you give Carter and the twins a tour?" my dad suggests.

"Actually dad I'm really tired so-"

"A tour sounds great," Carter interrupts.

"Where's Sheila?" Sophia asks.

"We want Sheila, we want Sheila!" Olivia chants.

"Girls!" their mother scolds. Mom laughs.

"It's alright. Sheila's outside but we can let her back in."

"Yay!" the twins cheer.

While Sophia and Olivia lavish an eager Sheila with attention I'm forced to show Carter around.

"This is the bathroom," I say dryly opening the door.

"You are a terrible tour guide," he shakes his head.

"Whatever," I lead him down the hall and stop infront of a pink painted door. "This is my room."

"Pretty obvious since its the only pink door in the hallway," he replies. I'm about to lead him away when he opens the door.

"Invasion of privacy!" I screech but he's already inside.

"What a typical girls room," he muses.

I cross my arms. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"You know what it means."

"Enlighten me."

He's about to respond when my mom yells for me.

"Stay right here," I command before dashing downstairs to see what my mother wants. When I return Carter is flipping through one of my old photo albums. My eyes widen.

"No," I whisper.

He looks up at me grinning. "I can't believe you were a blonde."

"Give me that!" I try to snatch it from him but he holds it out of my reach.

I continue to try and get my photo album back as he flips through the embarrassing pictures, teasing me as he does so.

"The hell happened to your hair?" he asks laughing, referring to 3rd grade when my mother attempted to cut my hair so she could save money. Needless to say it didn't end well.

"You're a jerk," I give up. "Let's see your embarrassing photos."

"There are none," he smirks. "I was always sexy."

Cocky bastard.

He continues to look through my pictures and I look along with him. My mom finally let me dye my hair pink in 7th grade and I've had pink hair ever since. Carter makes fun of every photo and I find myself not as annoyed as I imagined because when's he laughing his whole face lights up and his dimples show. The gold flecks in his eyes shine and I'm mesmerized.

Completely and utterly mesmerized.

Aubrey's in LOVEEEEEEEEE

*makes smooching noises*

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Stay pink🎀