Christmas came and passed rather uneventfully, everybody still sullen with one another. We had exchanged gifts in a secret Santa style on Christmas eve since Dallas and Jaz were leaving Christmas morning, meaning that I only had to purchase one gift for Dallas and nothing else. I had bought him an iTunes gift card and a jersey signed by Tom Brady, the quarterback of his favorite team the Patriots. We'd met once or twice at events, and I'd practically begged Tom over the phone last week to send it to me, claiming that I would be indebted to him for eternity if he granted me this favor. In the end he'd agreed, and I don't think I'd ever seen Dallas so starstruck. Mia had gifted me a framed photo of her, Brooks and myself as kids, explaining that I would be able to take it with me to remember them by when I went back to LA and the show. I smiled sadly and leaned over to pull her into a hug.

"Thanks, MiMi. I love it."

"Alright, everybody up!" Sarah called out, shuffling into the living room with her arms loaded with food. "We're going down to the beach for a late lunch."

It was cold out, cold enough for me to see my breath, but we obliged anyway and bundled up in coats and blankets before trudging down to the shore. Lewis was already there setting up chairs and a table, Mariah Carey's 'All I Want for Christmas' blasting over the portable speaker. A fire was located in the center of the setup, and Lewis was wearing a Santa hat and a super ugly Christmas sweater, looking festive in a typical dorky dad way. I grinned and plonked myself down into one of the chairs, Mia falling into one beside me. It was only three o'clock, but already the sun was starting to dip lower in the sky, threatening to drench us in darkness.

Lewis served up an array of foods a half hour later, making us all laugh as he sung along terribly to Justin Bieber's 'Mistletoe'.

"Dad oh my god my ears are bleeding." Mia teased, covering her ears with her hands. Lewis sung even louder, just to spite his daughter.

"Sorry Mr McCormack but she's right. We need to protect the wildlife around here and that includes from your voice." Dallas chimed in with a cheeky grin.

Lewis pouted and Sarah wrapped her arm around her husband jovially, offering him a comforting pat. "It's alright Lew I love you despite your tone deafness."

I glanced around, admiring everyone laughing and joking with one another. For one selfish moment, I wished that I had this kind of family— that my mother and father hadn't split up and taken off the second I'd started earning more than then. They were in control of my bank accounts, so they each took what they claimed was their share and ran for the hills, leaving me with nannies until I was sixteen, and then eventually leaving me alone whilst putting money into an essential account for me when they remembered.

Mom bought herself a house in Beverly Hills and dad moved to Florida. Both had new families and new kids now, and both seemed to have forgotten about me. The only time my mother conveniently remembered my existence was when she wanted something or when, like now, I had done something that put her name and reputation on the line. That was why I was here in Beaufort, I wasn't stupid. It wasn't because she was worried about me and how the spotlight was affecting me, or even because she wanted me to have some time off so I didn't overwork myself. All she was concerned about was that if I got arrested again and went to jail, the media would have a field day and the perfect little bubble she had fooled everyone into thinking surrounded her would pop.

To her, the only way to ensure that I didn't get into trouble again was to ship me here where someone else could deal with me.

So no, my family was never going to be like the McCormacks, because I didn't have one anymore. I shook myself out of my daze— dwelling never helped anyway—and tucked into the spread that Sarah and Lewis had set out, drowning my sorrows in potatoes and cranberry sauce. When almost all of the food was gone and the conversation had dimmed to a quiet hum, I sat back in my seat and rested my hands on my full stomach.

"Merry Christmas Eve." Jazmin toasted, lifting up her glass and water and allowing a moment for everyone to so the same. "To holiday cheer, good times, and friends who treat you like family."

A series of clinks sounded around the tabled as we toasted, and I lifted my glass to my lips with a small smile. The version of 'White Christmas' by Michael Bublé came on over the speaker, and everyone settled down again to listen. I glanced over at Brooks, whose gaze flickered to mine in return. We watched each other for a moment until finally Brooks placed his glass down on the table and offered me his hand. I stared at it, wondering what I was meant to do with it, until I realized that he was asking me to dance. My cheeks flamed up, and I hoped that everyone would think it was from the warmth of the fire. I hesitated for a moment before placing my hand in his, allowing him to pull me gently away from the group and closer to the water. I could feel multiple eyes on us as we walked, but I ignored them, too shocked by what was happening to care.

My breath caught in my throat as Brooks pulled me closer, my hands instinctively looping around his neck. For some reason I avoided his gaze, scared of what I would find there. What if this nice side of Brooks was only coming out to play because he felt sorry for me? Because he knew that I had no loved ones to spend the holidays with? 

I expected him to start slow dancing, or sway from side to side or something. Instead, he took me by surprise and started to dance quickly, completely out of time with the music. 

"What are you doing?" I asked, momentarily stunned as he grabbed my hand and spun me towards him.

Brooks frowned and moved his arms uncoordinatedly. "The Carolina Shag. Don't tell me you don't remember?" He took a few steps towards me and started to move around— pretty badly, to be honest.

I couldn't help but laugh as he frolicked about, almost tripping me over quite a few times.

"You know, I think eight year old you was a better dancer." I teased gently as he almost dislocated my arm trying to twirl me.

Brooks narrowed his eyes and pulled me back into his chest. I wrapped my arms around his middle instinctively and then blushed.

I wasn't the type anymore to get flustered around guys, but something about Brooks made me feel vulnerable.

"Take that back or this time you'll be one falling face first into the water." He threatened.

I pursed my lips in an attempt to hold back a laugh, but I failed miserably. "You wouldn't."

"I almost did when we first got here."

"Yeah but you didn't."

"Stupid decision."

A shiver ran down my spine as I searched Brooks' face, trying to memorize every line and angle. How I had gone four years without speaking to this boy, I would never know. It was my own fault for not contacting him and ignoring his calls. When I first moved, I thought it would be easier if he just forgot about me and moved on with his life, and by the time I realized how much I needed him and Mia in my life, too much time had passed.

"Are you cold?" He murmured, absentmindedly reaching forward to brush a strand of hair behind my ear. We both froze as we realized what he'd just done, his eyes widening in shock. He retracted his hand quickly and placed it gently back on my waist. My heart was racing a million miles an hour, and despite the cool air I was anything but cold.

I shook my head, glancing briefly down at my feet. When I finally looked up Brooks was watching me carefully. He opened his mouth to say something, but just as the first sound started to form, he was interrupted by Jaz calling his name.

I dropped my hands from around him and stepped away, averting my gaze once again.

I continued to stare at the ground as Jaz pulled him into her arms and started to dance.