I watched Mari sigh, and stand. She silently beckoned us to come, and she began to walk out of the store. I followed, looking at my shoes. My head is spinning, and I blink, looking over at Em. Em had a hand on her leather purse, which hung from her shoulder, and the other in a fist, swinging beside her hip. I stuffed my hands into my hoodie pocket, and kicked a small piece of trash no-one had picked up. Em called us into a store, and much like Mari, immediately disappeared into the crowd of people. Mari looked around, scanning the clothes that hung from hangers on the walls, or laid in neat stacks on dark wooden tables. I lightly go through the clothes, mostly t-shirts and tank-tops.

Eventually, we leave, Mom picking us up again. We sat in silence in the car, due to the awkward conversation from before. We stop at Mari's house. The white base blended into the snow well, and the green rims and gray roof gave a soft appearance, and Mari waved as she slid behind the green door. The car picked up speed again, and Mari's house was far behind us. Once we get home, it's barely 3:00. Both of us lounge in my bedroom, playing music and Em sings along, while I mouth the words. We laugh as one of your favourite songs come on.

I may not live to see our glory! The song blasts through the room and echos against the walls.

"But I'll gladly join the fight!" Em sings in her sweet voice, laughing and falling back on the bed, her hair spread out. I smile, and look over at her. She rolls over, and sits up, still smiling brightly. She sighs happily, and giggles.

"I can't believe it's almost Christmas." Em mumbles. I nod, and hold up 4 fingers, to symbolize 4 more days. She looks over, and pauses before agreeing. I sit up, and swing my legs over the side of the bed. Em launches out of the bed, and waits for me as I join her at the door. I grab the railing of the stairs, quickly going down, Em going down two steps at a time, and beating me down by a second.

"Ha! I beat you!" Em squeaks. I smile, and shoulder her lightly. We rush over to the table, where a platter of food was set. Plates were set with forks and knives, with glass cups near them. I pull out a wooden chair, and sit down, Em to my right. I lift the pot lid, steam pouring out. Inside, there's pasta with a thick, meat sauce. I use the metal spoon to scoop it onto my plate, and I hand it to Em, who scoops it up, and makes the adventurous trip to her plate, spilling some as she does. she giggles, and I roll my eyes. We eat it quickly, and Em takes seconds, spilling more on the blue tablecloth. She smiles innocently, and I look back at my plate. I reach for my glass, and notice small bubbles floating up to the top. I take a small sip, my mouthing filling with the sweet taste of a bubbling sweet apple liquid.

_-_-_-_

"Fawn........." Em whispers in my ear. I twitch slightly, but refuse to mov from my warm spot under the blanket of my bed.

"Fawn." She repeats. She giggles softly, and poke me in the ribs. I flinch, and she huffs.

"I know your awake!" She squeaks. I sigh and roll over to face her. She's smiling a little, and her lips are slightly cracked, as usually in the cold winter. She taps my nose, "Bonk." I raise an eyebrow, but smile, not showing my teeth. She leans over, kissing me on the forehead before getting out of bed.

I'm sitting on the floor on the living room, watching the T.v as the phone rings. Both me and Em sprint for the phone, Em grabbing it a quick second before, my hand brush hers as she pulls it to her ear. I poke her, and plead with my eyes, making the round. Speakerphone! I plead silently. I pull the phone from her ear and tap the button, a women's voice echoing through the room.

"Hello?" The woman asks, her voice slightly familiar.

"Heyo." Em responds. I roll my eyes, how Em.

"Oh, is this Fawn's house." She asks.

"Yes, this is Em."

"Oh, good. I'm Zeke Mom, and was wondering if you two girls could come over for dinner, then you guys could see a movie? I was hoping to spark some of Zeke's memories, and Doctor said he might be able to remember the people he knew and major events." We both pause, and exchange a glance. Before I can comment, Em responds.

"We'd love to! What time?" She responds in a sweet tone.

"5:00?"

"Sounds good." She says, and a monotone voice states, Call ended. She turns over to me and shrugs, not sure what she got us into.