This chapter isn’t going to be anything special; it’s more of a filler chapter, if anything. I’m planning on releasing new story right after this one is finished, but I still haven’t decided which one I want to work on. I’ve actually created a beginning for three different stories, but they’ve all seemed to give me writer’s block midway through the first chapter. I don’t know, I want to try something new. I haven’t really done anything revolving around summer before (hint hint).

Anyways, if you ever want to holla at me my Instagram is @vanbuns and my tumblr is @vanessaahx3 

Enjoy reading :)

Chapter 18

                Aunt Tara was always the most festive person out of the entire family. She celebrated every holiday and threw a big party for each one. Most family members she invited almost never came because the airfare was just too expensive for them to fly to each of Aunt Tara’s gatherings, but for Christmas, everyone always found their way to show up.

                Relatives and friends spent their Christmas Eve at Aunt Tara’s house to feast on the excessive amounts of food, all while old Christmas carols blared from the speakers in the living room. Although the house was decorated the same every year with wreaths and garland covering every inch of the walls and furniture, it never got old.

                “Wow,” Reina gasped as we stood outside on Aunt Tara’s driveway, “I can smell the gingerbread from here.”

                Jace turned to me, gently brushing his fingers against mine while maintain a small smile on his lips. “Yeah,” he whispered, “I can already tell this is going to be great. Thanks for inviting us, Everly.”

                “Seriously!” Reina grinned from ear to ear excitedly. “Jace and I haven’t celebrated Christmas like this since I was eight. Are you sure your aunt doesn’t mind having two extra people over?”

                “Don’t worry. I’ve already spoken with her over the phone about this.” I assured, ignoring the blush that crept upon my face from the gentle gesture by Jace. “She’s more than happy to have you guys over.”

                The three of us approached the front steps of Aunt Tara’s house, ringing the doorbell as a soft tune chimed. Reina was focused on the two lighted reindeers that sat on the front porch as she reached a hand out to touch the twinkling bulbs. “Wow,” she muttered, “your aunt really does go all out with the decorations.”

                “Wait until you see the inside.” I warned.

                The door suddenly opened as Aunt Tara stood by the entrance with a wide grin across her lips. She was sporting her favorite red and green Christmas sweater that she wore every year, and tied around her waist was an apron with little snowmen on it. “Everly!” Aunt Tara greeted as she pulled me in for a tight embrace. “My goodness, I haven’t seen you since the last holiday season. You get more beautiful by the year!”

                I laughed as Aunt Tara escorted us all inside, closing the door behind her. “Aunt Tara, I want you to meet Jace and Reina. These two are siblings.”

                Reina, obviously the more outgoing one, shoved aside her brother as she stuck her hand out to greet my aunt. “Nice to meet you, Aunt Tara.” She gave her a charming smile. Aunt Tara brushed away Reina’s outstretched hand before pulling her into a welcoming hug.

                “What’s with all of the formalities?” Aunt Tara joked as she gestured for Jace to join the hug, as well.

Jace shyly held back a smile before he hesitantly joined the welcoming hug with his sister and my aunt. Once the three pulled away, Jace gave Aunt Tara a proper greeting- all manners included. “Thank you for having my sister and I over this Christmas.”

                Aunt Tara laughed, shaking her head. “It’s fine, dear! I’m more than happy to have you two over. The more the merrier!”

                I decided to cut in now, handing the gift that my mother sent for me to give to Aunt Tara because she wasn’t going to come to her gathering this year. A wash of frustration suddenly overcame me as I remembered the reason why my mother decided not to show up to our tradition Christmas gathering. She got a last minute invitation to George Collins’ dinner party. Although she invited me to come along with her, I refused. There was no way I was ditching Aunt Tara’s holiday party for some dinner party at the man’s house who I despise the most. I cleared my thoughts as Aunt Tara stared back at me confusedly. I plastered a smile on my face as I placed the gift bag in her hands. “This was from my mother. She couldn’t make it tonight.”

                Aunt Tara’s expression immediately softened as she placed a hand over mine, giving me comfort. “Oh honey, I know.” She whispered softly, giving me a weak smile. “It’s been hard on you lately, hasn’t it?”

                I suddenly remembered that Jace and Reina were still with us. I cleared my throat, giving Aunt Tara a sad smile. “I’ll be fine.” I lied. “Thank you for worrying, though.”

                “Everly-.” Aunt Tara’s efforts were defeated.

                “Is that gingerbread I smell?” I cut her off.

                Reina piped up from the back with a grin. “I’m not the only who smells that, then?”

                Aunt Tara chuckled, giving me one last look before turning to Reina. “I just finished a fresh batch in the kitchen. Why don’t you follow me?” she winked. “I can let you have a few before I serve them.”

                Reina’s eyes widened as she beamed excitedly. “Seriously?” she asked as Aunt Tara nodded. “Everly, you’ve got the best aunt ever!”

                I smiled, nodding in agreement. “I get that a lot.”

                Reina was already making her way to the kitchen when Aunt Tara turned to Jace and I with her eyebrows risen. “Are you two coming?”

                Jace shook his head politely. “No, thank you. We’ll get some later.”

                Aunt Tara chuckled, giving me a wink. “Your boyfriend is such a gentleman.”

                My eyes widened as I shook my head. “Wait, Aunt Tara, he’s not my boyfriend.”

                Aunt Tara smirked, shrugging. “It’s alright honey, whatever you say.”

                Once Aunt Tara left, I was left alone with Jace. As I let myself regain my composure, Jace decided to make my heart race once again by holding onto my fingertips. I immediately flinched from surprise, staring up at Jace with wide eyes. “What are you doing?” I asked.

                “I just wanted to make sure you were okay.” Jace said, releasing my hand. I suddenly felt myself feeling empty without his touch.

                I frowned, raising an eyebrow with confusion. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

                Jace stared down at his feet, biting his lower lip. “I know you were lying when you told your aunt that you were fine about your mother.”

                I pursed my lips. “Jace,” I sighed, shaking my head, “you don’t have to worry about me.”

                Jace suddenly looked up with a pained expression. Jace’s eyes darkened as he glowered back at me. “Why would you even say that?” he asked. “Of course I have to worry about you. I care about you too much not to.”

                I really like him.

                I’ve fallen waist deep for him.

                I was in love with Jace Wasson.

                I gulped, feeling my heart being ignited with a catalyst. Staring directly into Jace’s purely genuine eyes, I decided that now was the time to tell him. Right in front of the doorway, with one of Aunt Tara’s mistletoes hanging unknowingly above our heads, just us two, I was going to tell Jace.

                I was going to tell Jace about my feelings for him.

                “Jace, there’s something I need to tell you.” I started, feeling my nerves spread through my body as my hands trembled slightly against my sides. “Jace, I-.”

                “Holy shit.” A voice interrupted me.

                My eyes closed immediately as I felt my heart sinking. I’d finally mustered up all of the courage I had inside me to tell Jace how I felt, and I was ultimately in the end cut off.

                “Is this your friend, Everly? He’s so cute!” my teenage, boy-obsessed cousin, Jodie, gushed. “Hi, I’m Jodie!”

*

                I called Julianne later that night.

                Judging by the sounds of plates and silverware clattering the background, I could tell that I was interrupting Julianne’s Christmas dinner. “Everly?” she asked over the phone with confusion evident in her voice. “Why are you calling me? Aren’t you at your aunt’s place?”

                “Sorry, bad timing, right?” I sighed. “I’ll call you back-.”

               “Wait,” Julianne cut me off. I heard the sound of a chair screeching backwards, and soon to follow, footsteps, “okay, I got away from the dinner table. Everly, is everything alright?”

                Before anyone caught me, I escaped to the back porch of Aunt Tara’s house. The outside air was cool and the wind was nipping my cheeks, but none of it mattered. I felt so numb already that the harsh cold had no impact on me. “Julianne,” I whispered, “I was so close to telling Jace that I love him.”

                At first, I heard nothing. There was no response from Julianne until I heard the sound of her screeching with excitement from the other line. “What?!” she beamed, and as a best friend, I knew that she was smiling. “You love Jace? Finally! Do you know how long you’ve been deluded about your feelings for him?”

                I groaned, slapping my palm against my forehead. “Not helping with my situation, Julianne.”

                “Right, I’m sorry.” Julianne giggled. “So, what’s the problem here?”

                “I was going to tell him up until my cousin decided to barge in the way and crush all of the courage I had inside me.” I sighed. “Jules, what if I’m never going to have to balls to tell him again?”

                “There’s nothing to be afraid of, Everly.” Julianne said. “Everyone practically knows that you and Jace have mutual feelings for one another. The only reason why you’re afraid to tell him again is because you’re scared he’ll reject you. But, any blind bat could tell that he likes you just by the way he looks at you.”

                I smiled at the thought. “The same way Ryan looks at you?”

                Julianne gasped on the other line and judging by her short minute of silence, I knew she was blushing madly. “Everly,” she snapped, “don’t change the subject. Man up and tell Jace how you feel about him.”

                I sighed, throwing my head back in exasperation. “I don’t know, Jules.”

                “Do it before I go to your Aunt Tara’s house and slaughter you.” Julianne threatened teasingly. “Look, I’ve got to go back to dinner now, okay? My parents are giving me dirty looks for stepping away while they were in the middle of cutting the turkey.”

                “Right, sorry.” I apologized.

                “Bye, Everly.” Julianne said quickly as her mother called her name out on the other line. “I better get a text later tonight about what happens or I swear to God, I will-.”

                The line was cut off as I pulled my phone away from my ear, staring at the blank screen. I smiled briefly before I shoved my phone back into the pocket of my cardigan, wrapping it tighter around my chest for warmth.

                How on Earth was I going to muster up the courage to attempt to tell Jace about how I felt for him, again?

                It seemed impossible for me to do so.

                The sound of the screen door opening suddenly captured my attention as I turned around. Jace stared back at me with his eyebrows raised before noticing that I was practically shivering. “Everly, why are you out here without a coat?” he asked with clear frustration in his tone. “Do you want to be the idiot that catches a cold on Christmas?”

                I laughed, shaking my head. “No, I don’t want to be the idiot that catches a cold on Christmas.”

                Jace chuckled lightly before shrugging his own coat off. My eyes widened as he approached me and draped the thick jacket over my shoulders. I lowered my eyes to conceal my blush when I realized that Jace’s body warmth was still on the coat, radiating against my skin. “Jace,” I muttered, “this isn’t necessary.”

                “Can’t I be the nice guy for once?” Jace teased. “Besides, what are you doing out here?”

                I cleared my throat. “I-I was just making a call.”

                Jace frowned. “You were making a call?” he repeated with disbelief as I nodded. “Couldn’t you make a call inside, where the house is nice and warm?”

                I shrugged. “I guess I could’ve.”

                Jace look a long look at me before breaking out into a fit of laughter. “You’re really something different, princess.”

                I rolled my eyes, pushing Jace’s shoulder teasingly. “Thanks.” I mumbled sarcastically.

                Jace’s finger gently brushed against the snow that was on the railings of the porch before turning his attention back to me. “So,” he paused, taking in a deep breath of air, “did you have something to tell me earlier?”

                I contemplated about confessing my feelings for Jace in my mind for the longest time. Julianne’s conscious repeated her advice in my head over and over again. I was extremely conflicted to the point where it was painful.

                I shook my head, forcing a smile.

                “Nope.” I lied.

                My eyes might’ve deceived me, but Jace looked slightly disappointed. “Okay then.”