five: bittersweet

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀I find myself standing in the kitchen by myself after that awkward encounter. Realizing my situation, I run upstairs and into my room. I walk into the bathroom and realize I'm still covered in flour. I wash my face and clean off my sweater.

The silent buzz of my phone draws my attention. The screen read that I have seven missed calls all from mom. Oops.

I quickly dial mom's number hoping she isn't mad.

"Blakley Anne Adams, why have you not answered my calls?" My mother answers harshly.

"I'm so sorry, mom. My phone was upstairs the whole time."

"Upstairs? What are you talking about?"

"Oh, yeah. I forgot to call you last night and tell you about my sleeping arrangements. Anyway, I met a boy yesterday, and-"

"You met a boy," my mom cuts me off.

"Yes, mom. A boy. A boy who happens to be the son of Mr. White, the owner. Anyway," I continue, "he brought me to his house after spending the day together. His mom offered me the guest bedroom."

"Well, it's good to hear you're safe. May I please speak to Mrs. White?" Mom asks.

"If I can find her, yes, but I'm not going to snoop around their house to find her."

"Of course not, dear. Remember your manners while you stay there, okay?"

"Yes, mom. I have been using my manners." I walk back downstairs looking for Mrs. White. "Mom, I don't think she's here right now, but when I find her I'll give her your number, okay?"

She sighs. "Okay, dear. Stay safe and be polite. Love you."

"Love you, too," I hang up the phone and walk over to the cookies. I plate the cookies and wrap them with Saran Wrap. I quickly scribble down my mother's number before I forget.

The sound of heels clicking against the wood floors catches my attention. I look up to find Mrs. White entering through the door from the lodge.

"Oh, hello, Blakley," she enters the kitchen. "You made cookies?"

"Harper and I did for the people in the lodge," I reply placing the plates on the table.

"What," shock evident in her voice. I turn to find her with tears in her eyes. "He let you help him?"

"Yes," my voice comes out as a question.

Mrs. White leans on the counter and covers her mouth with one hand. "When he was younger, he and his sister Maggie would bake cookies to hand out in the lodge." She pauses wiping her tears. "We lost Mags two years ago," tears stream down her face. I walk over to her and pull her into a hug. I know I don't know her, but she needs comfort.

"I'm so sorry, Mrs. Kyla." She wraps her arms around me while sobbing into my arms.

She pulls away from the hug and wipes her eyes. "No, it's okay, Blakley. Thank you."

I nod in response. "Harper," I whisper looking towards the door.

"What about Harper?" She asks concerned.

"He accidentally called me Mags and then I asked who she was." I run a hand through my hair. "He then ran out."

"Oh," she whispers in response.

"I'm going to go find Harper. I'll see you later," I squeeze her arm before running towards the door. "Oh, Mrs. Kyla," I call before exiting.

"Yes?"

"My mom wants you to call her. I left her number by the cookies." I call with one hand on the doorknob. I really want to find Harper.

"Okay, darling. Thank you." Before she even finishes, I rush out the door.

I navigate through the lobby and hallway that houses the stairway to the attic. I make my way up the creaky stairs and pray that Harper is up there.

"Harper," I call as I reach the top of the stairs. I walk around the whole attic but find that he isn't there. Where could he be?

I sit down on a window sill next to one of the bookcases. I stare out into the snow and rack my mind for any place he could be. This is the only place he showed me besides his house. There's no telling how many other hiding spots he has.

As I'm about to give up, I glance out the window once more and notice a shadow on the lower, flat roof of the lodge. I squint my eyes enough to make out an outline of a person. I quickly open the window and step out into the freezing cold. I should have brought my coat.

"Harper," I call towards the shadow in front of me. Careful not to fall, I slowly make my way toward the shadow.

"Blakley?" Harper asks once I get closer.

"Harper, I'm so sorry," I yell over the wind. Fortunately there's a raised roof right next to where Harper is sitting which cuts down the wind.

"Blakley, what are you doing? You shouldn't be out here. Especially without a coat," he proceeds to take off his coat and hand it to me.

Shivering, I grab the coat and pull my arms through the holes. "Harper, come inside. I need to talk to you," I say each word through shivers.

Harper agrees and grabs my hand leading me back to the window. Once were safely back into the warm attic, I wrap my arms around Harper's torso.

"I'm sorry, Harper. I didn't mean to upset you."

Shocked by my hug, Harper takes a minute to wrap his arms around me and reply. "No, Blakley, it isn't your fault. I shouldn't have run off like that."

We release each other and take a seat on the window sill.

"I should have told you about Mags when I had accidentally called you that. Instead, I snapped at you and ran off." He looks down at his hands.

Placing my hand on his shoulder, I reply, "it's okay, Harper. Don't worry about it." I pause when he looks up at me.

"So you're probably wondering who Mags is," he sighs.

"Your mom told me that she's your sister. And that you always made cookies for the guests with her. And that you lost her." My voice trails off.

He nods. "Yeah," his voice hoarse and an escaped tear runs down his cheek. "Sorry," he apologizes while wiping away his tears.

"Don't be. It's okay," I send him a small smile of encouragement.

"Mags supported me. When my parents would bash my choice of profession, she would defend me. She stood up for me. We were so close." He doesn't even try to stop the tears from flowing now.

"You miss her a lot," I point out the obvious. Way to go, captain obvious.

"Yeah," he shoots me a sad smile. "She was driving here for the holidays two years ago when a dear ran out into the road. She swerved and ran right into a tree."

I wrap my arms around him once more and allow him to cry into my shoulder. I slightly rub my hand up and down his back to soothe him.

After a few minutes, Harper pulls away thanking me. His eyes red and puffy, his cheeks tear stained, and his hair messy from the wind.

"Come on, let's go clean up and make some stranded strangers happy," I stand up holding out my hand for him to take. Without saying anything, he grabs my hand and we walk back to the house.

When we arrive at the house, Harper runs upstairs to clean off and I return to the kitchen where Mrs. White is standing.

"It's no problem, Julia." Mrs. White laughs. Is she talking to my mom? "I'll tell her. You have a good night. Bye," she hangs up the phone.

"Was that my mom?" I ask causing her to jump. "Sorry," I stifle a laugh. "I didn't mean to scare you."

"It's perfectly fine." She smiles while laughing a bit. "And, yes. We were talking about your sleeping arrangements for tonight. The snow is supposed to stop tonight," she talks but I cut her off.

"Really," my face lights up in excitement.

"Yes, but," my face falters. "Not until early in the morning which is why your mother and I decided you will be staying here again tonight. Then tomorrow around noon your family will come get you."

"Okay," I smile a closed mouth smile. I was hoping to be home by Christmas Eve, tomorrow. At least I'll be going home on Christmas Eve.

I grab one plate of cookies as Harper comes down the stairs in a different outfit considering the former one was soaked from the snow. Harper grabs the second plate before heading out to the lobby.

"So, do we say anything to the guests," I ask the nerves building up.

"Usually you ask them if they'd like a cookie and then wish them a 'Merry Christmas'," he holds the front door open for me.

"Thanks," I reply passing through and heading towards the lobby.

We both enter into the warm and beautifully decorated lobby that is filled with trapped residents. My mouth opens slightly at the sight of about fifty trapped strangers.

"You take that side of the lobby and I'll take this side," Harper nods for me to take the back section of the lobby.

"Okay," I call over my shoulder as I head toward the back of the lobby.

Once I hand out the first few cookies, my nerves settle down. Many were grateful for the cookies while some were upset because they're trapped. As I hand the last cookie to an older lady, Harper joins me.

"You two are just the sweetest," the lady replies with a smile. "Thank you," she squeezes my hand.

"It's really no problem," Harper sends the lady a genuine smile. His eyes lit with excitement. I can tell he loves giving.

We sat and talked with the lady for at least an hour before heading back to the house for lunch. The rest of the day is spent laughing and talking and watching Christmas movies.

As I lay under the white covers of the guest bed, I think about seeing my family. As excited as I am to see my family, my heart is also sad. I've made a connection with the White's. Mrs. White has been so kind to me. She taught me how to make Chicken Parmesan tonight. We laughed a lot while doing so. And Harper. Harper has become my friend. One unlike the ones I have back home. One that I don't want to lose.

It's bittersweet–leaving tomorrow.

I fall asleep with the thought of my new friend. And the thought of seeing my family.

author's note

Aw, Harper and Blakley's friendship is so cute.

Pictured: Snow outside Blakley's window.

Christmas Countdown: 3 days.

Shoutout to @liannabee for always commenting. You rock.

How are you liking the story? It's coming to an end. :'(

.j