You can't even imagine how terrifying the dorm rooms are when no-one is here. The building creaks and groans at all hours and I am forever waking up in the middle of the night, shooting upright and grabbing hold of Elena's lamp, ready to fight anyone who's out there. It's led to me getting out of bed in the early hours and going out as soon as I'm dressed, only returning when it begins to get dark, in the hope that I can get back, go to sleep straight away, and then wake up the next day to start the whole process again.

Christmas Day I throw my brown coat on and wrap a black scarf around me before grabbing hold of my phone and bag. Leaving the room, I lock it behind me and slowly make my way down the stairs. Quickly pushing the door open I breathe in the cool, crisp fresh air of Christmas Day and can't help the smile that graces my face. I may be alone but it's still Christmas and it's my favorite time of year.

Shutting the door behind me I walk down the familiar path towards the main road, not sure where I'm headed but desperate to take my mind off the fact that I have a cold burrito back in my dorm room as Christmas dinner, nothing else.

Last night I watched Love Actually, one of mine and Elle's favorite Christmas films. As always I ended up wishing I could visit London, but also terribly angry at Alan Rickman's character for buying a necklace for his fling on the side. Every year Elle and I throw popcorn at the screen at the scene, but last night I merely shed a few tears, stuffing all of the popcorn into my face.

As I reach the main road I shove my hands into my pockets, the cold chill eating into my bones already. I've never known California to be this cold and am thankful that heating is included in the price of my room.

A sleek black car suddenly screeches to a halt across the road from me and I stop suddenly, eyes wide at the sudden action. The door immediately opens and breath catches in my throat, shocked by the sight. Should I run away?

"Savannah!" The deep, comforting voice calls as he steps out.

"Brett?" I breathe out, startled that he is standing in front of me on Christmas Day. He's an absolute sight, dressed smartly - a dress shirt and formal pants showing off his muscular body. I clamp my mouth shut quickly, tearing my eyes away from his body and up towards his face. He smiles at me as he places one of his hands into his pocket.

"You must be freezing dear, come on, you must have dinner with us." A female voice calls out and I turn my attention to the middle-aged, well-polished brunette woman who is sticking her head out of the front window.

"I'm okay really..."

"I insist! We aren't leaving without you." She cuts me off, waving her hand dismissively. I glance back towards Brett who smirks.

"My Mother has spoken!" He comments, gesturing for me to get into the car. I bite my lip as I look at the beautiful car and then back towards the cold, empty dorm building as I weigh up my options. There is no way I should get in that car, I'm not stupid. Only two weeks ago Brett and I had our lips locked, bodies intertwined as we lay on my bed. It's not fair on Haydon.

But Haydon is barely talking to me, advising me that he would be unable to contact me from 22nd to 28th despite the fact that I've heard from Becky the entire time. I am all alone, the loneliness eating me up, leading to the tears that fall down my cheeks every night. I have nothing else to do today.

"Okay." I give in, "Thank you." I smile as Brett holds the back door open for me. I carefully slide into the car as Brett jumps in the other side.

"What is a lovely girl like you doing out today?" Brett's Mom asks, staring around at me. She looks young for her age, her hair pulled back into a chignon bun, her blue eyes sparkling as she smiles.

"I just fancied a walk." I explain, clenching my hands together.

"Oh."

"Mom doesn't understand the concept of exercise outside of a gym." Brett smirks as the driver pulls away.

"Well, it's either too hot or too cold." She tuts, "You must spend Christmas with us."

"That's okay really..."

"It's best to give in now. She isn't going to let you out the car." Brett advises, smiling slightly at me.

"He's right." She grins, "Plus, it's always nice to meet Brett's girlfriends."

"Oh, I'm not..."

"You are a girl yes?" She cuts me off, her eyebrows raised.

"Yes."

"And you are his friend?"

"Well..."

"Yes." Brett cuts in and I shoot him a warning look. I really don't know if I'm ready to class him as my friend just yet.

"Well then!" She claps her hands before turning towards the front, "Hurry up Billy, I need some champagne." She orders and I glance over at him as he mouths a quick 'sorry' to me. I smile slightly, looking down in my lap.

*~*~*

"Here we are." Mrs. Winters exclaims as Billy opens the door for her and she leaves the car. I quickly grab hold of my stuff from the seat next to me and go to open the door when Brett pulls it open, smiling down at me.

"Thanks." I smile as I get out, looking around at the giant basement garage. My eyes widen at the sight of the expensive cars, Maseratis and Ferraris in their dozens. Shaking my head I look up at Brett who smirks at my expression before gently placing his hand on my back, leading me towards the elevator that his Mother has got into. My eyes are still taking in all the sparkling cars as the doors shut and Mrs. Winters sighs, smiling as she hits the penthouse button.

We travel up in silence and I gently chew on the inside of my mouth, gripping onto my bag with all my might, anxious at what is about to come next. I've never heard good things about Brett's parents and now here I am, right in the middle of the Devil's lair. Surely they can't be worse than their son.

The doors open and Mrs. Winters saunters out, calling for a maid as she shrugs her coat off. I slowly follow, Brett smiling encouragingly at me as we enter their apartment. It's as grand as their home back in Edgewater Valley, if not more so, a gold chandelier decorating the ceiling.

"Wow." I can't help but breathe out.

"I can't believe you're surprised." Brett smirks, shoving his hands into his pockets as he glances around uncomfortably.

"I guess I'm not." I say softly to him before turning my attention to his Mother. "Your place is lovely Mrs. Winters."

"Please! Call me Olivia." She exclaims, smiling at me.

"Uh okay." I manage to stutter. She certainly isn't as uptight as she is in the picture I painted in my head.

"I'll go get us some drinks." She grins. "Tilda!"

"Yes Ma'am?" A woman comes round the corner, full of smiles as she grabs hold of Olivia's coat.

"Some champagne please!" Olivia requests, grinning wildly as though she has just won the lottery. Not that winning the lottery would do anything for this family. It would barely touch the sides of their bank account. I wonder if they'd even notice?

"Of course." Tilda nods before turning and leaving the same way she came in. Olivia follows behind her, leaving Brett and I standing in the entranceway.

"This place is..." I trail off.

"It is." He agrees and I turn towards the window that covers the entire wall, glancing out of it in awe.

"The view is incredible."

"It's the best part of the apartment." Brett agrees, standing next to me as I walk closer to stare out.

"Look at how small everyone is." I exclaim, watching intently at the tiny dots moving along the sidewalk briskly, probably all late to Christmas dinner.

"If you look right over there, between the two red buildings..." Brett points out and I squint, trying to locate the buildings.

"Yeah..."

"That's the library." He finishes and I widen my eyes. I can't even believe we can see that from here, having driven over twenty minutes from the university.

"Wow." I manage, "Is that the Starheal Cafe next to it?"

"I think so."

"I've got a job there." I announce and he turns to look at me, surprise evident in his features.

"You have?"

"I start next week." I smile and he grins.

"Well, it's a lot better than the Diner!"

"So's the pay." I retort and he laughs slightly.

"Here we are." Olivia exclaims and we both whirl around as she walks in, a glass in her own hand and Tilda following with two more. "Is Brett showing you the view? He loves it."

"It's amazing. I could look out of here for hours." I reply, thanking Tilda as I take the glass from her. Olivia smiles before taking a sip of her champagne.

"Tilda! Is this the 1926 bottle I requested?" She asks, glancing at the bubbles. 1926? As in a bottle of champagne that is nearly one hundred years old?

"Yes Ma'am." Tilda confirms. I can't even imagine how much that must have cost.

"Perfect." Olivia grins before glancing at me, "We must have the best when we have guests."

"Oh thank you." I stutter out, eyes wide. Wow.

"No bother." She exclaims, "So how do you know each other?"

"We went to high school together." I explain, smiling slightly.

"And now we've ended up at the same college." Brett continues and I nod my head, still cursing Fate for her little games.

"How lovely." Olivia grins, glancing me up and down quickly. "I don't remember you from Edgewater High School?"

"I..."

"Savannah lived on the other side of town." Brett cuts in, his voice slightly tense.

"Ah. I see." Olivia replies, her voice lower, "Nothing wrong with that."

"No there isn't." Brett retorts and his Mother raises her eyebrows.

"Well, it's lovely that you're still friends."

"It is." Brett agrees, shooting me a wide smile. I immediately look down, the blood flooding into my cheeks faster than I can think, coating me a lovely shade of red.

"Olivia!" A deep voice calls out and Brett immediately tenses, standing up straighter, his jaw taut.

"In here Dear!" Olivia calls back, before taking a large gulp of champagne.

"What an absolute nightmare of a morning." He retorts before he rounds the corner and I am faced with an older, less handsome version of Brett. His eyes are brown instead of Brett's gorgeous blue, but other than that it would seem that Brett has inherited most of his good looks from his Father. "Oh, hello!" He stops short, scanning me up and down. I smile slightly, uncomfortable under the scrutinizing gaze of this family.

"Hello." I reply softly.

"This is Savannah, George." Olivia gestures towards me, a wide smile on her face. "Brett's friend."

"Lovely to meet you."

"You too."

"Alright, I'm going to show Savannah around." Brett pipes up, placing his hand on my back once more to lead me out of the room.

"Don't be too long! Dinner will be soon!" Olivia calls out.

"Okay."

"Thanks again, this is lovely." I smile, gesturing to the glass of champagne before we round the corner, out of sight. He leads me down the corridor a fair way before he sighs, reaching up and running his hand through his hair. I know the action well and I bite my lip, knowing that he does it when he feels uncomfortable or stressed. Is it because of his parents or me? Maybe I should leave...

"I'm sorry about this. Mom can be a bit much." He says and I glance up to see him staring at me apologetically.

"I appreciate it." I assure him, shrugging. "And I like her. I always pictured her to be a bit of an ogre."

"What?"

"Well..."

"An ogre?" He repeats and I giggle.

"You painted such a bad image!"

"My Mom isn't as bad as she used to be." He justifies, "Since I've moved here she pays a lot more attention."

"This is almost as big as your house back in Edgewater." I note, glancing at the ornate golden mirror that covers the entire wall at the end of the corridor.

"Unfortunately."

"Unfortunately?" I question, looking up at him as though he's grown two heads.

"I can never find anyone." He explains, "I'd prefer a smaller place."

"I guess that makes sense." I agree, smiling softly as he throws open a door on the right and holding it open for me to enter. I walk in, eyes wide at the plain white decor and pristine black bedding.

"This is my bedroom."

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••