Christmas time aka the best time of year. Everything from the twinkling christmas lights to the snow. I simply adored everything that came with the holiday.

We were all finally out of school for Winter Break and Christmas was literally five days away. It has felt like the longest semester ever and I was beyond glad we now had two and a half weeks off.

Ever since my little 'talk' with Rebecca a few weeks ago things have been good at school. Whenever we see each other she will give me a small head nod or even a little smile but that is about it. I was happy to see she had distanced herself from Mitch and his friends. Apparently taking my words to heart. We weren't buddy buddy but she didn't go out of her way to make my life hell anymore.

For the first time in what felt like ages I was extremely happy. School was going good. The piece I had drawn for my art project was picked to be put on display at a local art studio in the new year and so was Alex's. We were the only two in the class to be picked which was insane.

If I wasn't working I was spending time with Alex and the others. Most nights I'm over at Alex's with him and Harper. Its become our thing to make dinner together and hang out the three of us. I've even started spending nights.

Alex didn't like me driving home late by myself and I hated being in a huge house by myself. I didn't like leaving Alex's side and it probably made me possessive girlfriend but I loved being around him. So we both decided that it would be better for me to sleep over. Of course after asking Harper if it was okay. It's only been her and her brother for the past year and I didn't want to force her to accept something if she didn't.

I had barely gotten the words out before she was asking if I was gonna sleep in her room with her under a fort. So needless to say she was totally on board.

It may have seemed a bit odd that Alex and I were basically living together. A 17 year old, an 18 year old and a 6 year old but it worked for us. Even Noah's parents were okay with it.

After what happened on Halloween Noah's parents have really taken me in. They always offered for me to come to dinner and stay the night. Whenever I was over there they asked how my day was. They even asked if I needed anything, which of course I declined. But they've really been amazing.

The only thing I couldn't let myself think about was my parents and Trent. I knew my parents wouldn't be around for Christmas. Haven't been for years, which I have grown to accept. It just sucked not known if Trent would be able to come home. I understood if he couldn't but its been almost a year since I last saw him.

Alex and the others did a great job of keeping my mind off of it though. We already have the next five days planned out. Like today we were on our way to the ski resort about an hour away.

Ava and Mason were taking Harper to do some last minute christmas shopping, so it was us eight today. Eight of us crammed into a one car for an hour. That meant having to listen to Derek ask every two minutes if we were there yet. I'm pretty sure Lexi was two seconds away from strangling him.

Beside me Derek wiggled in his seat, shoving me further into the door.

"This seat is so uncomfortable." He grumbled. I didn't say anything until he started moving again.

"Derek if you don't stop moving I'll make sure you never do again." I hissed. I didn't miss the surprised looks on everyones faces at my words. Out of everyone I was the least likely person to say something but metal of the door digging into my body was making me grumpy.

"Woah. Since when has Riley become mean?" He asked the group.

"I'm not mean." I rolled my eyes. "I'm just tired of being shoved into the car door."

"Not my fault I'm a big muscular guy."

"Is it a guy thing to sit with your legs spread so wide? Your taking up half the room." I pointed to his legs which were indeed spread wide. On the other side of him Olivia was curled into a little ball like I was. "Close your legs."

"You can't tell me what to do." Derek huffed sticking his chin up in the air. I saw the movement before he did. Olivia kicked Derek right in the shin making me yell out.

"Shit that hurt."

"Good. Now close your legs." He didn't say a word as he closed his legs, finally giving Liv and I a bit more room. I peered around him and sent her a grin which she returned.

Derek pouted but a kiss on the cheek from Liv had him grinning. Thankfully he was pretty quiet the rest of the way to the ski resort. It helped we were only thirty minutes away at that point. But lets just say those thirty minutes of no complaining or screaming along to the radio was heaven.

The closer we got to the resort I found myself almost pushing my face into the window trying to see it all. Snow covered the ground and trees all around us, making it look almost magical.

I may hate the cold but I loved the snow. Now I was the one practically jumping in my seat as we got closer. As soon as Noah pulled up to the cabin we would be staying at for the next two days I had to force myself not to throw open the door before he parked.

I clearly wasn't the only impatient one as Derek practically reached around me to open the door, my body almost falling out. I got out with Derek on my heels. I stood off to the side as I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.

The cold air filled my lungs and the tension in my shoulders relaxed. The hours of spending in the stuffy car was worth it for this right here.

"If I had to spend one more minute in that car I was going to explode." Lexi muttered coming over to me. I grinned over at her in agreement. There was a reason we usually take separate cars.

"At least the cabin makes up for it." I finally looked at the cabin we were gonna stay at. It really shouldn't have come as a surprise at how big and nice it was. It was built by Noah's parents after all.

"Woah." The cabin could easily fit all seven of us and maybe even have room for more.

"It pays to have rich friends." I laughed alongside her knowing we both didn't care about money.

Lexi wandered off as I stood there embracing the cold once again. I literally felt so at peace. I just wanted to stand here forever and never leave.

"Are you coming snow bunny?" Alex called off to the side of me, holding both of our bags.

Seeing him standing there with a soft smiling, holding our stuff in one hand and extending the other towards me, I felt my heart tug in my chest.

With a smile on my own I made my way towards the guy who's taken up every inch of my heart and then some.

* ** * ** ** * ** * * *

"This is the best thing ever! Lets go again." I yelled over my shoulder as I headed for the chairlift yet again. Behind me I could hear some grumbling but I was too excited to care.

I smiled at the chairlift guy, who at this point I should know his name, as I waited for the next chair. A body slid up next to mine.

"Not tired yet?" Alex asked, amusement in his voice.

"Just a few more times. Please?" I turned to him and pouted. I knew the others were tired and wanted to be done. We've been out snowboarding for the past 4 hours and while the others were done I wasn't.

At the start of the day I didn't know how to snowboard but Alex and Noah graciously taught me, something I think they were now regretting it.

At first it was hard and I fell quite a bit, no doubt bruises were going to appear tonight, but once I finally got the hang of it I fell in love. There was something so freeing about going downhill with the wind whipping at your face. The cold air nipping at your exposed face.

I felt like I was flying as I went down the hills. Everything in my mind going blank until it was just me. It was a feeling I wanted to feel over and over again. Hence the reason I was once again heading back up the mountain. The others could wait a little bit longer.

"Fine a few more times." Alex laughed shaking his head at me. "I'm regretting teaching you how to snowboard."

"Scared that I'm better than you?" I taunted as we moved to sit in the chair coming around.

"Babe I've been snowboarding since I was a kid, no way could you beat me." Alex scoffed. I couldn't help but smirk at the challenging tone. Lately the two of us have become competitive in little things.

Even us talking about which cereal is better lead to us seeing how fast we can eat a bowl of cereal. Not the smartest idea I'll tell you.

"Is that a challenge?" I asked, raising my eyebrow even though he couldn't see it behind my goggles.

"Maybe it is." He leaned in towards me, a smirk playing on his lips. My eyes darted from them back to his eyes.

"What do you have in mind?"

Alex was quiet for a moment as he thought if over. I looked over the snow covered trees and the other snowboarders and skiers below us. Who would have thought I would enjoy something like this so much. I'm not one for the cold yet right now I didn't even feel it.

"How about first one down the hill gets to choose the other to do something humiliating and they have to do it no matter what." By the widening of his smirk I knew Alex thought he would win. That he would be the one making me do something humiliating.

Wanting nothing more than to prove him wrong I sent him a smirk back.

"You got a deal."

I couldn't wait to make him do something embarrassing in front of everyone. I was only slightly worried that he would beat me considering he has been doing this a lot longer than my four hours but I was more than ready to kick his ass.

"Seal it with a kiss." The way he said it made me laugh. Sounding like a pouty little kid wanting to go to Chucky Cheese. With a wide grin I leaned forward and pressed my lips against his. Like every time just the touch of his lips made my entire body heat up.

Before Alex could deep the kiss I felt the chair start to slow meaning we were about to get off. Pulling away I smiled over at him. I could see his lips pouting which just made me smile harder.

"Try not too pout too much when I win." With that I pushed off the chair and let my snowboard take me off to the side.

"Okay smartass lets see what you got." He said once he was by my side again. As the two of us made our way towards the slopes, Alex kept nudging me on my side trying to make me fall. He almost made me knock into some poor lady but I narrowly avoided her by falling the opposite side.

All he did was laugh helping me back up. By time we made it to the slope I was more than ready to kick his ass.

"Remember the first person to the bottom wins."Alex reminded. Taking a few deep breaths I moved my snowboard as Alex counted down. Sharing a smile with each other we both took off as soon as he hit One.

I had to suppress the urge to yell in glee as I cruised down the slope. Doing what Alex and Noah taught me I moved side to side, avoiding people as I went. The cold hair nipped at my face but I was grinning too hard to even notice how cold it was.

For a moment I forgot about the deal with Alex. Letting the feeling take over and calm my mind. It felt so nice to just let go. Seeing Alex flying by me I jerked out of my thoughts. Right, I needed to win.

For the first few minutes the two of us went back and forth. We both teased each other by weaving around one another. I felt pretty damn lucky to be out here doing this with Alex.

We were halfway down when it started to really get serious. Instead of moving side to side I opted to just go straight down, picking up speed as I went. From the corner of my eye I could see Alex gaining on me.

As we neared the bottom I got giddier. I crouched down a little lower hoping it would help. I didn't let myself look over at Alex in case he was right next to me. At the last second I had to swerve around some guy who suddenly appeared. I heard him yell something at me as I breezed by but I was too focused on hitting the bottom first to hear it.

Seconds later I hit the bottom of the slope first. Not seeing Alex I yelled out pushing my snowboard out to slow down. My cheering was drawing attention from some people but I didn't care. I won!

I moved in an arc to face the slope we just came down. I turned around just in time to watch as a figure came barreling towards me. My eyes widened a split second before Alex came crashing into me.

The two of us fell back into the snow, a mess of limbs and snowboards. I laid there in the snow breathing heavy as Alex laid on top of mine. I heard my name being called before a paid of hands grabbed my goggles and pulled them up to my forehead.

Alex peered down at me with concerned eyes saying my name. I don't know why but I found myself laughing. Full out, belly aching laughing. Alex stared down at me like I had gone crazy as I laughed loudly. Once I had calmed down enough I smiled up at him.

"Get ready to be humiliated."

* * * * * * * * * *

"I'm surprised we got Riley off the mountain."

"I know she almost went kicking and screaming."

I leaned back in the couch wishing I could argue with them but I couldn't. I didn't want to leave. After Alex and I's little tumble he declared us done. He even went as far as to take off my snowboard, taking it away from me. The others had been watching the whole thing came over to help us up, before practically forcing me towards the car.

They were all frozen and ready to go. At first I resisted but as soon as we got to the car I realized just how cold I was. My snow pants were soaked as well as my jacket and hair. My face was frozen and my nose bright red.

I was a shivering mess by time we got back to the cabin but I had so much fun I wasn't complaining. Alex graciously let me have a shower first, the warm water helping me thaw out. While Alex showered I went downstairs in my warmest sweats along with a sweater and one of Alex's sweatshirts. I looked like a homeless person but I was pretty much frozen to the bone.

It was now nearing 8 o'clock and we just finished dinner, which contested of a shit ton of frozen pizza's. We were sitting in the living room around the fireplace, everyone wrapped up in their boyfriends arms.

I was currently without mine because he was busy upstairs getting ready for his end of the deal. I was almost cruel enough to make him go outside in his boxers and lay in the snow but I decided against it. But what I ended up with was...well I could stand to be crueler than that.

"Riley." I heard Alex yell from the stairs. I grinned evilly as I looked over my shoulder.

"Come on out." I called out. Everyone learned about the little deal Alex and I made on top of the mountain but none knew what I had planned. Poor Alex.

"Riley." He threatened, his voice closer. A teeny tiny part of me wanted to say fine and send him back upstairs but I won fair and square. I knew if he would have won he would make me do something, so its only fair.

"You lost Allie so come out for us all to see."

I sent the others a smirk as we quietly waited for Alex. Noah was the first to catch a glimpse of him and instantly burst out laughing. I turned fully on the couch and as soon as I did I howled, falling backwards. The others followed suit.

With a glare Alex walked into the living room wearing only a pair of girls underwear and a bra. His hands were covering himself and the bra looked seconds from bursting. His arms and chest muscles too big.

I couldn't stop laughing, tears running down my face. Across from me the others were dying just as much, Derek covering Olivia's eyes.

"Riley." Alex said through gritted teeth. "Happy?"

Swallowing my laughter I looked him up and down. I knew it was cruel making him wear it but I didn't actually think he would either. Deciding to put him out of his misery I nodded.

"You can go change now." With one last death glare at me, Alex turned and headed back up the stairs. The sight of his butt clad in underwear had me howling once more.

We were all laughing long after he left.

"That was perfect Riley. Absolutely perfect." Noah grinned.

When Alex came back down, dressed this time, all of us had to stifle our laughter again. I had a feeling Alex wouldn't live that one down for a long time. He came and took a seat next to me.

He ignored me making me pout. I poked his side only for him to keep his eyes in the opposite direction.

"Alex." I poked his side again. When he didn't reply I stuck my bottom lip out. "Babe." Knowing he was doing it on purpose I sat up on my knees.

Reaching around him I grabbed the sides of his face and turned him to face me. Looking into his stunning grey eyes I sent him a sheepish smile.

"I'm sorry." He didn't move. "If it makes you feel better you looked good in red." The corner of his lip twitched making my grin widen. Knowing one last thing would break him down, I leaned forward.

I pressed light kisses all over his cheeks until I reached his lips. I kissed him gently grabbing his face. Only a second passed before Alex responded, kissing me back. When we pulled away I rested my forehead against his. Keeping my eyes closed I brought my hands up to his hair.

"Thanks for being a good sport." I whispered, my lips brushing against his.

"For you, anything."

The feeling that swelled in my chest almost took my breath away. I knew exactly what is was. I've felt that way for months now but never wanted to admit it to myself.

Scared that if I opened up those feelings it would just come back to bite me in my ass. But you can't run from your feelings. You can shove them aside for as long as you can before it finally bursts through. Just a few months ago I was scared of this feeling. I hadn't been ready to acknowledge how I felt...until now.

I was in love with Alex Kinley.