I stared at my reflection in the mirror. My brown hair fell over my shoulders in soft curls, my blue eyes highlighted with an appropriate amount of makeup, and my lips dabbed with red lipstick. My dress was on, jewelry dangling off my wrists, ears, and fingers and my shoes waiting by the door for me to head out. I felt pretty. Something I didn’t feel often having James as a sibling. He was the babe of the world and I was the awkward child standing off in the corner. The spa day with Gemma was spectacular. She booked the best people in the best salon and I had never felt more primped and ready than I did for this night. Twirling, I caught every angle of my look and I could not have been more pleased.

“Hey Cam, can I come in?” James asked from the other side of my door.

“Yeah, what’s up?” James entered and then stopped.

“Dang, Camille.”

I eyed him. “What?”

“You’re gorgeous.” He said it with such certainty and the beauty of it was that he didn’t say that I looked gorgeous, as in just at that moment. No, he said that I was gorgeous. As in always. And that made me smile like a little fool.

“You don’t look bad yourself,” I said, nodding towards his fitted suit. “By the way, where’s Ava?” I realized I hadn’t asked him where his girlfriend is.

“She’s been in Ireland. She gets back tonight and she’s going to meet us at the party.”

“Okay. I was wondering why you were taking me and not her.”

“So I’m not allowed to take both of you?”

“Ehh, most couples don’t want the little sister third wheeling.”

“Very true. You ready to go? The car’s waiting.”

“Yeah, let’s go.” Placing my clutch under my arm and grabbing my coat and shoes, I followed James out of my room and down the stairs where Mom and Dad sat, cuddled on the couch, ready for their date night.

“You two look wonderful! Oh, Phil get a picture of them!” Mom said.

“Mom. We’re going to a party with tons of photographers. You know this right?” James said, trying to usher me out the door.

“Come on kids, get together for a picture. Just for us,” Dad said, searching for the camera.

“Oh, I wish we had a fireplace.”

“We are not getting a typical prom picture!” I said, already knowing how being my brother’s date was bad enough. I loved James, I did. It’s just that most girls hope to go on a date with someone they are not related to.

“Fine. Just stand together then.” Mom grabbed her camera as I posed beside James, until he grabbed me and pulled me against his chest.

“James. You’re messing my hair.”

“It’ll live. Love me, Cam!” I laughed into his chest as I wrapped my arms around him.

“See! That’s so cute! Okay, you can go now,” Mom said, seeming satisfied with her candid shots. James and I waved good bye and headed out the door.

The drive to the venue was relatively quiet. Mostly music pouring out of the radio and an occasional few words between the two of us. Maybe it was just because the nervousness of running into Liam was settling in. Perhaps it was the fact that there was a possibility that he wasn’t even going to be there and I was getting worked up over nothing. But I didn’t like uncertainty. I had avoided asking James for the longest time because he thought that was all doneand over with. He had listened to my freak outs and then slowly they died along with my and Liam’s nonexistent relationship. But I couldn’t take this anymore.

“Is Liam going to be there tonight?” I blurted, not able to hold it any longer.

“Wow, you alright there?” James asked, surprised at my rushed words.

“Sorry,” I said, looking down at my clasped fingers. “It’s been bugging me since we’ve arrived.”

“I don’t know, honestly,” James shrugged. “Last time we talked he said he wasn’t sure if he’d be able to make it. But I hope he does. More for your sake than mine.”

“What do you mean?” I furrowed my brows.

“Listen, I know that everything went down and it was all terrible and you want to believe that you hate him.”

“I don’t hate him,” I countered.

“Well, at least there’s that. But Cammie, believe me when I say that you need to talk to him tonight or else you’ll never have peace about this.”

I was quiet for a second, debating my options on the matter.

“Cam?”

“I’m scared, James. What if he did kiss me to get me out of his system and now he’s just over the whole thing and then I come all spitting fire thinking it actually meant something and scare him away?”

“Is it bad to say I highly doubt that?”

“How can you doubt it? It’s probably true.”

“He asks about you every time we hang out, you need to know that.”

“He does?” My face lit up and fell. “Probably because I’m his friend and he’s being nice. I mean, who does he think he is, kissing a girl like that and leaving the topic alone for, oh I don’t know, sixmonths?” I sighed heavily, trying to calm myself down and rested my head on the window. “I like him so much, James, and I don’t even know what to do about it.” Silence overcame the car again and I instantly felt sorry for our driver who had heard my entire spiel.

“I think you need to tell him.” James spoke the words quietly, but I heard him well enough. My head whipped back to look at him.

“It’s not going to be that easy.”

“I know. But Cam. I’m your older, wiser brother – ”

“Only brother.”

“– And I think you need to listen to what I am saying. Because I think that Liam may be just as confused as you are.”

“Unlikely. He’s a famous movie star who could have his pick of hotties. He kissed me to get me out of his system and now,” I hated this. I hated it all so much. “And now he’s done with me and I’m going to have to move along, just like he did.”

“But not without closure. Just try and see what happened? By asking him?”

“We’ll see if I’m feeling courageous. And if he’s even there,” I responded.

“I’m being serious, Camille. If you don’t talk to him about this tonight, you drop the topic altogether.”

My heart dropped at this ultimatum. I knew I had spent too much time worrying and being petty about this whole situation and I should just let go.

So I nodded and said, “Okay. I will.”

The car then drove up to a very elaborate display of lights and decorations leading into the venue. Photographers were everywhere and I was already dreading walking through the swarm.

“Well. Let’s hope for the best,” James said and, honestly, I wasn’t sure if he was talking about my love life or the chances of survival with the paparazzi.

The inside of the venue was incredible. High, arching ceilings, sparkling chandeliers, floor to ceiling window; even if there wasn’t a whole lot to look at with the darkened sky. The entire room looked relatively close to a seventeenth century ballroom and I wouldn’t be surprised if it was. Waiters were circling the room, trays full of finger foods and sparkling drinks. Everyone was dressed to the nines with ladies in sparkly dresses and guys in suits and bow ties.

I love bow ties. Bow ties are cool.

“Hey! James! Cam!” I looked over to see Ava rushing over to us, which I found impressive considering she was wearing towering heels and a snug emerald dress.

“Ava!” James reached for her and without a seconds hesitation, they were kissing and hugging and I felt my heart clench. There was so much certainty in their affection. You knew they loved each other.

“You look beautiful tonight,” James said, leaning in and giving her a final peck on the cheek.

“Thank you. You look rather dashing as well,” Ava said, nudging his side. “And Cam! Hi!” She gave me a quick hug. “I’ve missed you both so much. Well. I saw James two weeks ago. How are you Cam?”

Before I could get a word out, I saw Gemma came rushing over to us, her golden hair gleaming against her shimmery dress. She was so pretty and it just wasn’t fair.

“Happy Christmas, everyone!” She greeted.

“Gem, Christmas was last week,” Ava said with a raised eyebrow.

“Yeah, but I didn’t see you last week. And it’s not quite the new year. But that’s not why I came over.” She ruffled her hair a bit, trying to contain the mane.

“Okay? What’s up?” I asked. I didn’t feel intimidated by her anymore. And it felt good.

“First of all, Cam. You’re look is on point. And… guess who’s here tonight?” My heart stopped for a moment, having a gut feeling I knew who she was going to say. Besides. What was the whole purpose of making me look this good?

“Nate Matthews?” James asked, which I snorted at. I’m pretty sure Nate Matthews had been James’ man crush for his entire teen years.

“Who? No.” Gemma shook her head.

James laughed. “Alright, who?”

Gemma’s smile took up her entire face as she said, “Liam.”

It felt like my heart moved up to my throat and my palms instantly became sweaty. James and Ava cast me a slightly concerned look.

“Really? Where is he?” James said, pretending to look around the room for him. I don’t know what it was, but I had an odd sense that he was very close.

“James! There you are, mate!” The familiar voice came from behind me, just like it did the first time I heard it. Strange how these things come around.

“Liam! I thought you weren’t able to make it tonight!” James’ face broke out into a smile as Liam joined our circle.

“I thought I wasn’t, but we got back from our ski trip yesterday. The Alps are perfect this time of year.” He spoke from beside me, but I stared straight on ahead. It’s been nearly three months since I’d last seen him and almost five since we’ve had a real, normal conversation. Could I even handle small talk? Probably not. I only trusted myself staring at the ornate ceiling or straight on through the windows. Nothing could go wrong if I paid him no attention.

“And how have you been, Camille?”

Nothing could go wrong, unless he talked to me.

“I’ve been doing alright, thank you.” I barely glanced at him and, yes, I felt rude. But I was keeping myself from doing something stupid. “And yourself?”

“I’ve been doing well. How’s school going?” Okay, small talk. I had to attempt to maintain small talk. Could I do that without looking at him?

“Busy. Last year and all. But all the college apps are in, so now it’s mostly waiting.”

“I’m always super happy that I never had to do college apps. Thank heavens I started my career when I was nine!” Ava, James, Gemma, and he found the joke funny. All of their careers started before college. They never had to deal with the stress of transcripts, recommendations, scholarships, and college visits. Luckily though, that ended my part in the conversation. The four all then continued to talk about past and future projects and when and where their career began. I took this as the opportunity to slip away and steal some food. Excusing myself briefly, I moved away from the group, spotting a bar stool at the other end of the room. The thing about the bar was how classy that all was. It was lit up and shiny and definitely didn’t look like a drunk would sit there. This was the classy bar and I was thoroughly enjoying that.

Reaching the bar, I ordered a simple club soda with lime. It felt classy, but still not that awful, bitter alcohol.

“Better slow down there, it’s a bit early for vodka.”

The deep, Australian voice surprised me, especially when a hand reached out and snatched my drink.

“Carson!” It was half happiness seeing him again and disbelief that he was taking a sip from the glass.

“Ew, mineral water, that’s worse than vodka,” he spoke while making disgusted faces.

“This stuff is good. It’s like pop without the calories.” I took a long sip out of the fancy straw.

“Yeah, and the flavor,” he added.

“So vodka tastes better than this?”

“Any kind, any day.”

“Now you’re just delusional.”

“All the best people are.”

I smiled honestly at him. “I’ve missed you, Carson.”

He laughed and gave me a bear hug. “Me too, Cammie.”

“Why are you even in London? Everyone else lives here, but aren’t you still in Australia?”

“I’m filming a movie in Prague, actually, and decided to spend New Years here with my favorite people.” He sat down on the stool next to me, ordering a martini.

“You trying to be James Bond or something?” I asked, watching as the drink was placed in front of him and he gave me a very flirty look.

“Babe, you know I could be.”

“Well, then I’m getting out of here while I’m still alive.” I began scooting off the chair and he grabbed my forearm.

“Camm-mee,” he whined and I sat back down, giggling.

“James Bond isn’t a child, either.”

“Probably not, no. But he does get all the ladies.”

“Yeah, and what ladies do you got?” I asked, eyebrow raised.

“Well, you’re here aren’t you?” He winked at me and it took all in me not to laugh.

“That’s it, I’m leaving,” I got to my feet and started walking away, which I was proud of because I had no one to go to and no where to go.

“Sorry! Sorry, I’m done,” I heard Carson say from behind me and wrap his arm around my shoulders.

“You better be or else I’m leaving for good.”

He nodded solemnly. “Understood. But am I allowed to at least say that you look positively gorgeous tonight?”

I grinned at him. “Absolutely and thank you. You clean up rather nice as well.” His black hair was cut and styled, which was refreshing to see after months of his long-ish surfer hair. His suit fit him perfectly and if I wasn’t so head over heels for Liam, I’d probably just check out Carson all night.

“That’s kind of you to say. Mum picked the suit out.” He tugged his tie as if trying to show it off.

“Seriously?”

“Of course not! I have good style on my own.”

“Okay, I was getting worried there for a second.”

He smiled and we stayed silent for a second before he bumped my hip and leaned down to whisper, “So what’s the news on Liam?”

I reeled back and smacked his chest. “We are not talking about that here!”

“Ow! Why not? Perfectly reasonable question!”

“I don’t want to! I’ve had enough of talking about him.”

“So you still like him then?” I glared. “Thought so. Well then. I’ll leave you to it.” He started walking away.

“What? Carson, don’t leave me. I have no friends here.”

“You have one person you need to talk to though. Just go give him a good kiss and get it over with.”

“I’m going to kill you.”

“Babe, you couldn’t if you tried. Liam’s over by the bar, go talk to him.” I looked over and, sure enough, Liam was leaning against the bar, his back facing me as he talked to Gemma. I watched her smiling and practically glow and my heart hardened. Right. When I turned, Carson was gone and I was left to fend for myself.

----------------------------------

Heyyyyyyy it's been less than a week and the story is wrapping up! AND CHRISTMAS IS EIGHTEEN DAYS AWAY. HEEEYYYYY.

Liam is back. Carson is back. Life is good. But the question is... what's going to happen? BUH DUM DUHHHHHH.

I'm feeling dramatic and exhausted. I just spent five days (pretty much) in my church setting up and tearing down an event that lasted barely over two hours. I need sleep and finals to disappear. If you don't see me in public for the next week and a half, that's why.

Peace out. Have a lovely week.

Stay classy,

- Kate