~J A C K S O N~

FRIDAY ARRIVED SOONER THAN I EXPECTED and I confidently walk up the snowy path towards the bookstore. My mind starts swarming with ideas for Theo this weekend. He is supposed to hang out with us and we all agreed on going tree hunting. For my house and my mom's as well, though we are going to have Christmas together.

Since Austin invited Lily to go with us, we agreed that Alex brings along Zeke and maybe Lily's sister. I don't know how big we are going to be tomorrow but I really want to see Lily happy, whether it be towards me or someone else.

When I enter the bookstore, it's packed and I mean packed. Linda rushes towards me, ushering me to help her serve all these customers. I don't think twice before rushing the to front, helping my customers. Though they don't look very impatient, I'm sure they are.

As I walk to the checkout, I hear people's conversations about their favourite books;

"Have you read 'The Duke and I' by Julia Quinn?"

"Outlander is the best romance book I've ever read!"

"I think Beach Read is better. Emily Henry's books are amazing!"

I grin, jumping up on the counter and diving my way through Amy and Lily who are having conversations with the customers while they checkout.

Once there are less people, Linda calls me to follow her. "James wants me to invite you for Christmas. Is it okay if you attend this year?"

I wince, "I was going to invite you again this year. I thought that maybe it would be amazing if Austin's parents came."

Her eyes light up at the mention of her old friends. Austin's parents and mine have been friends way before we were both born. Surprisingly, Austin was born a few hours after I was and since that day, we were inseparable.

Four years ago, they moved to Maryland, unfortunately, it was just when Austin got his degree and started his career. He couldn't just let it all go away, so he had to say goodbye.

"Never say goodbye to us, son. We will always be one phonecall away." His father said as he adopted him into a father and son hug. It was honestly amazing to see.

My parents and Austin's parents met Linda through her ex husband who was our high school teacher all throughout. They instantly got along and had so many get together's. They were like three pairs of peas in a pod.

"Oh well, that's good than!" She smiles but than it vanishes after a while. "But James wanted to host it at our home. . ."

I smirk. James is like a big brother to me. "I'll talk to him, don't tell him about this talk!"

I plop a kiss on her cheek and make my way to the office, while smiling at how far I've come with my dad's bookstore.

God, he would be so proud of me right now.

✎✎✎

Under a dove grey sky the colours of my world don their winter coats, each hue darker and richer than before. The path sparkles and crunches, like sugar underfoot, and the coolness brings me right into the now, into the moment of life.

Though the flowers sleep and the trees show their lofty arms once more, a smile plays on my cold lips. As much as I love the summertime, I love the winter too. Every perfume of the meadow, there is the earthy loam of the newly-lit forest floor.

There is a warmth that tumbles out in the winter time; when everything else is so cold. It pulls off from those who love and nurture as easily as they breathe. In truth, the sparks of warmth are always there no matter the season or weather, just like a warm rock blends into a summer beach, yet melts winter ice.

My mom always made her home-made soups and stews on those crisp winter days. The stew would warm us down to our toes, showcasing the kind of glow that only her heart-filled food could give.

"Jack, are you coming?" Questions Theo, bringing me out of my thoughts as he eats my frozen yogurt.

"How much time do I have to tell you, it's cold for that and, it's mine!"

Theo glares. "It's yours, yes. But that doesn't mean I don't get to get of it!"

"It certainly does because it's mine, not ours." I protest. "Fine, whatever. Let me just get my coat and gloves."

I make way to my room, strolling over to my closet and grabbing the first coat I see. After putting it on, I grab my gloves and head out. When the doors to the house is locked, I get into Austin's black Porsche.

The heater immediately does its job and I groan in pleasure. Sometimes, winter can be horribly cold but that doesn't stop me from having the fun I need. What's life without adventures, a good pleasurable read or just working besides a girl named Lily.

All day, Lily has been clasped in the front of my mind and I hadn't had any chance to properly think about work. Sure I'd have lunch breaks where I listened to music while binge eating giant sandwiches in hopes of thinking of something else, something related to work but all I could think about were Lily's hazel eyes and new profound bangs.

It looks gorgeous on her.

I swear, everytime I see the girl smile, my heart rate would pick up, even though she isn't smiling at or because of me. That doesn't hurt one bit because well, she is smiling and she seems pretty happy.

Her straight teeth that made her pretty cheekbones more prominent. Her beautiful lips that has my fantasies going wild. Her perfectly trimmed eyebrows that has me-

"Jackson, are you even listening to me, bro?" Austin growls, looking at me from the corner of his eye while trying to focus on the road ahead.

"What? Yes, of course of I am!"

He raises a brow, "oh really. What did I just say?"

My mind goes blank. "That I'm such an amazing listener!"

"You suck, man!" Austin laughed.

"No, you-" I stop mid sentence and curse under my breath.

His a guy, not a damn woman. It would sound so stupid, especially since my brother is just in the backseat. I need some holy water, and maybe a good romance book would do as well.

"Anyways," Austin says awkwardly, "as I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted by the fact that I was not being listened to," he says dramatically, scowling, "my parents can't make it this year. . ."

I glance at Austin, my mouth agape as I process his words. His parents aren't coming this year?

But why? It is practically tradition to have them arrive every year. What is going on now?

"Why not?" I question out of curiosity and maybe just a little bit of a bummer.

"Work stuff, man. You know my parents!" Austin huffs, the subject about his parents not making it for Christmas really sore and to add salt; his parents really picked their job over family time.

I doubt they Skype a lot these days, Austin has been really grumpy. And no, it's not because of sleep deprivation, it's probably because of his slowly dying relationship with his parents. I know my best friend and this grumpy-not cheery and gamey-side of Austin is really, really bad.

To be honest with myself, I miss the times I'd wake up and get dressed only to find that Austin has already set two cups of coffee for us. Well, one for me if I allowed him to practice his court stuff.

The rest of the ride is filled with Austin avoiding the subject of his parents and jumping to the subject of Lily and I. Though I really want to talk about that, I also-so badly-wanted to cheer up my best friend and there is only one way to do that.

"Jack, Austin! I thought you guys bailed on us!" Lily laughs, her arms snaking around my shoulders, giving me a short hug and runs to Austin.

A longer hug would've been much appreciated but to have her that close was enough for me to squeal like a girl, nevermind my masculinity.

"Never. I never bail without warning a day or two before the event. Unless I'm dead or have been kidnapped, or maybe fell-" I stop myself from speaking any further as I feel a few pair of eyes on me. I clear my throat, "I would never bail."

My voice comes out thicker than usual and I smile at them. "Let's get going!"

I am glad to see that my mom actually came. We made small talk before I profusely apologized for my behaviour, though I think I know my side of the argument won and has a better explanation. My mom was quite happy to be speaking to Lily after some time since my dad passed and they were like mother and daughter the way they went on. Or maybe mother-in-law.

Mia-Lily's sister-was pretty nice, though she talked a lot, about Lily and I mean a lot. She wouldn't stop telling me how much Lily is such a gorgeous woman and has guys falling at her feet.

That part got my ears red and steam coming from them. Poor Lily. She has better guys to deal with, or a better guy to deal with. Overall, it's nice to have so much of us gathered, finding Christmas trees and it was fun hanging out with Lily even though my mom wouldn't stop stealing her from me.

What had me wondering is why Alex couldn't come with us. With Alex. Maybe she was busy?

Unfortunately, my mom had to go. "Take my tree to the family house?"

"Sure," I kiss her cheek and she places a kiss on Theo's before saying goodbye and leaving.

Once all the trees are packed and good to go, I turn to everyone else. "Meet me at d'Youville in twenty, yeah?"

I watch as their brows furrow but they nod nonetheless and leave to their own cars. I get into Austin's car, making sure Theo didn't go running off.

Sometimes he gets too excited.

"Why should we meet at d'Youville?" Questions Austin while he drives to the family house first.

I smirk. "You'll see."

✎✎✎

"Ice Skating!" Theo yells, jumping around like a happy kid ready to go ice skating.

"What are we doing here?" Questions Lily, her features holding a sly grin.

Damn, this girl has me wrapped around her finger without even knowing it.

I smile at Austin. "Well, Austin has been a grumpy old man this past week and well, since he likes skating, I brought him here but with friends!"

A loud awww! goes off and I look to see Mia squealing. And I mean literally squealing. Austin chuckles as he raises a brow at Mia. Immediately, she stands up straight, holding her child on her hip.

"It's been long since I've been here," Lily says, smiling as she looks straight ahead. "It's right next to the city's fortress-like outer wall, so I guess we'll be gliding along with a view!"

"With skate rentals onsite, no admission fee and a system that keeps the ice cold even in warmer weather, what are we waiting for, let's get skating!" I yell as we all bolt to get our skating shoes.

Before I can go along with the others, Austin grabs my arm with a genuine look in his eyes. He starts tugging at his hair once he removes his hold on my arm.

"You alright, man?" I ask, my brows furrowed.

He nods. "Uh, yeah." He coughs with a small chuckle. "Thank you, bro. I mean, I guess you figured out that I feel like shit and my parents aren't even coming for Christmas. Thank you for being such a good friend. A good brother."

I immediately embrace him in a hug, patting his back. "You're my best friend, I always notice when you're down." I think of something to lift the mood. "Just like I noticed you kept staring at Lily's sister, she's a married woman, man. Chill."

He laughs as we walk toward the others. "She is hot, but she's older than us, so nah."

I laugh at my best friend's audacity and we get to the others, Theo has mine and Austin's skating boots ready. Once everyone is ready to go, we make our way to the rink.

"Um, a little help here!" I laugh as I make my way to Lily.

Her zip is stuck to her jeans. "What did you do, Lily?"

I kneel down in front of her, gazing up at her hazel eyes. I'm hypnotized.

She glares. "It's not me, it's my jeans." I try to pull the zipper from her jeans but she moves her leg away. "I just got this jeans yesterday, do not tear it!"

"Geez, Lily. I won't tear your precious jeans, just let me get you ready for some fun!"

She narrows her eyes at me but than bursts out laughing. "I'm sorry, yes, please help me!"

I continue to stare at her, not being able to remove my gaze from her hazel ones. For so long, I've been wanting to see through. I've been wanting to see her angels, her demons, her flaws, her love for books, everything.

It's just a matter of times before I make my move. I want to know everything about this girl I fell in love with in high school.

It's not just her jeans that's so precious, it's the person in the jeans. So precious. After my ten years of fantasizing, it just came crumbling down the moment I heard her name and knew it was the girl I fell for in high school.

"Jack, bro! Come on!" Austin yells from the rink and I snap out of my daze.

Chuckling awkwardly, I fix Lily's skating boots, making sure not to tear her jeans. Once she's all suited, I smile at at her from under my lashes. My smile instantly fades when I feel her finger tips grazing my sharp jawline.

"God, you're amazing."

Lily cheeks slowly starts reddening and I have a feeling it's not because of the cold. My hand moves on its own accord as I graze my hand over hers which still rests on my jaw. I hear her sharp intake of breath and I really want to have a never-ending effect on her.

Lily snaps out of it before I do and removes her hand. Suddenly, it feels so cold and empty, so I just stand to my feet, helping Lily stand and guiding her to the rink. Once we're on the borderlines of it, I glance at Lily with a grin.

"Ready?"

She smiles her heartwarming beautiful smile that has me wanting to kiss her, and nods. "As ready as I'll ever be."

Oh how I wish that had a double meaning.

✎✎✎

please vote, comment and if this is so far enjoyable, share! <3