It was Christmas eve and Hunter's mom, Natalie, like every other year, had invited us over for dinner.

The fact is I usually hate going to people's houses for dinner, or basically to call it 'social family gatherings' but I can never say no to Natalie; for three reasons:

1) Her cooking is marvelous! Where my mom is an expert with baking, Natalie is an expert with every other dish in the world (including baking).

2) I totally adored her!

3) Hunter and I had been friends since well... our crawling days and I'd never give up a chance to spend time with him. Even if it meant seeing his stupid face every other day.

I guess that's what happens after 15 years of being friends, you kinda just get used to being stuck together.

Mum and Natalie were finishing up cooking in the kitchen while our dad's were exchanging their business usuals. Hunter and I were helping out by setting up the table.

"I just love this time of the year."

"Well I don't. It's way too cold to even do anything."

I scowled at him.

"What? It's true. You can't even go out for a minute without wanting to come back in the next second."

"Keeping that aside, it's a time for festivities. Christmas, New Year's and your birthday! Aren't you glad that we get to spend so much time together at once?"

"Of course. 15 years of bearing your ass and infinite more to go."

"Why you little-"

In that moment, mum called everyone to the table for dinner. There was a beautiful spread of roasted turkey and mashed potatoes, freshly baked plum cake and caramel pudding for dessert.

The menu remained the same every year, but every year I longed to cherish every bite of our family dinner.

With the dim lights and soft music in the background, the lit candles on the table, the heartfelt laughter of our parents and the slow rhythm of the snow fall outside, I was the happiest.

In that moment, nothing else mattered. We were happy. I was happy. And I prayed to the almighty to always protect and bless our family.

Little did I know, things were going to change.

-------

Once we were done with dinner and cleaning up, we ran upstairs to his room and jumped onto the bed to save our feet from dying of frost bite.

Nah, I'm just exaggerating. But seriously, it was really cold!

Hunter's room was as typical as a boy's room could get. He was an ardent fan of Marvel, so his walls were filled with all kinds of Marvel heroes' posters and his shelf was lined up with their action figures. His guitar and speakers were in the corner near the window.

Whenever he was in an exceptionally good mood, Hunter would pick up the guitar and sing me my favourite songs. I encouraged him to take part in the school band but he was of the opinion that his voice wasn't good enough.

After debating on what to do, he finally removed his MacBook Pro and began showing me photos of his visit to the Amazon rainforest when he went to Brazil in the summer. And then it hit me; we were two whole seasons away and he hadn't shown me his pictures until today.

"Hey, why didn't you bother showing me these before?"

"I don't know, you never asked."

"Why should I ask? You're the one who went on a holiday."

"Well, you're the curious one."

"How's that even related?"

"I don't know."

One thing you should know about Hunter is that he loves using the words 'I don't know' on a repeat. Sometimes I wonder if he really doesn't know or he's just saying it cause he doesn't want to answer or put in any extra effort. You know, those kind of people?

While surfing through his pictures, I wondered how many more creatures were yet to be discovered by humans and whether I'd get a chance to see them all during my lifetime.

Heck no I wouldn't. I'd probably die of an insect bite or something before I even had the chance. Or wait, climate change would probably do the needful for me.

"Hey Mer! That looks like you!", he chuckled, pointing at a sloth.

To begin with, he was the only one allowed to call me by my nickname as he was the sole founder of it. The rest, including my parents, had to comply by calling me Summer.

"Why thank you", I said sarcastically. "But I'm sure this resembles you better than the sloth did me" I grin, catching his attention to a chimpanzee. "What with the hair everywhere and tiny nose-"

Take that.

He shot me a cold glare while I tried to restrain myself from giggling. Before I knew what was happening, he started tickling me in my sides.

He knew my weakness. I was extremely ticklish.

I rolled on the bed, trying to dodge him but in vain.

"Stooopp!" I squealed.

"Payback time" he grinned.

I had to get out of this before I died of tickles. Finally I saw what could save me.
I quickly grabbed a pillow and yanked his head with it.

He was taken aback. Yes. My chance to escape.

Well anyone would guess what happened next. We ended up in a pillow fight. Yay.

Finally exhausted, we laid on our backs staring at the ceiling.

I don't want to sound cliché but at 15, I knew what this friendship meant. It was a special one, one that maybe would last forever; I hoped. No matter what, I'd always treasure it. Looking around me, I knew not many people were blessed with this kind of a friendship. Even if they were, they didn't know how to maintain it.

"Hey Hunter", I said sitting up.

"Yeah?"

I took a deep breath. I could feel the nostalgia overwhelming me.

"Promise me something."

He sat up, not leaving my gaze. "What?"

"Promise me we'll be friends forever, no matter what."

"Promise", he said stretching out his pinkie finger.

I laughed, linking my finger with his.

He was such a child.

I turned to look at him when I noticed a twinkle in his eyes.

"What?"

"But just don't fall in love with me," he smirked.

"Ewww no, what the hell! Are you serious?! Never ever will that happen. Ugh. Talk about ruining the moment," I said, exasperated. "Have you even seen yourself?"

"Yup, exactly why I said it."

What an overconfident jerk.