If Santa had a Son

Chapter 6 - Sleep Over

Chapter 6

Sleep Over

"Bree." I could feel the wind blowing my hair around and the soft, sweet voice calling my name, but I ignored it. I was too sleepy. "Common Bree, wake up." I moaned as I shifted my weight, snuggling into his warmth. "Bree!" That did it, I snapped my eyes open.

"What?" My voice sounded groggy because I was still asleep, but Anthony just laughed. He was laying right beside me, if it had been any other time I would have jumped away, but as it was I just snuggled into his chest. It was so warm.

"Look." He whispered in my ear, his lips touching my skin. I shivered and opened my eyes, looking at him. He was staring up at the sky, a sad smile on his face. Slowly I turned to look at the stars, gasping. They lit up the night sky like diamonds, it was beautiful. "Like it?"

"It's amazing! How is it so bright?" He chuckled.

"We're pretty far out in the country." I just nodded and continued staring at the stars, awestruck. Anthony took a deep breath, sighing loudly.

"Is something wrong?" I asked. He looked really sad.

"Not really...I just...Miss my mom, that's all. We used to look at the stars all the time until she passed last year..." Each word seemed forced, almost like they were painful.

"Anthony, I'm so sorry!" I didn't know his mother was dead. How could I? I barely knew Anthony at all, even though I kept forgetting we had just met. I felt really bad, and I didn't know why. He just smiled at me, but it didn't reach his eyes. His green eyes bore into mine, shining. I could tell he was on the verge of tears, so I placed a hand on his cheek, almost pulling back from shock. I wasn't sure what had come over me, but I didn't care.

"You know what else...?" I shook my head, "Her name was Breanne, but everyone called her Bree. What a coincidence, right?" His voice cracked slightly as a tear fell down his cheek. It made my heart ache. How was I supposed to help him?

"Anthony, you don't have to-"

"Every night my family would look at the stars while sipping on hot chocolate. My mom would hold me close and tell me she loved me..." Tears were rolling down his cheeks freely now, it was as if he couldn't stop. "S..She had blue eyes and blond hair...She looked almost exactly like you. When I was little she would wait for me outside when I got home from school or a friends house, a snack prepared for me. She kept doing it even as I got older, even when I told her to stop. I said I was too old for that. Deep down inside I still loved it; it was a sign she loved me. On Christmas Eve last year, I went to my best friends house, but I didn't stay for long. Just long enough to say Merry Christmas and give them some cookies. When I came back my mom wasn't waiting with a snack...She died on Christmas Eve, Bree..." By the time he finished telling his story, I was crying. Seeing him cry just tore at my insides.

"I'm so sorry.." I croaked, whipping the tears off his face with my thumbs. It was weird, in a way, for me to be comforting him. I had only known him for a few days, but it just felt natural. He wrapped both arms around my waist, pulling me close. I buried my head in his neck, trying to rub comforting circles into his back.

Did I look like his mom? We had the same name, same hair, same eyes... It was no wonder Anthony seemed to be sticking around. There was this feeling I got when I was with him as if we were meant to be spending that time together. Every moment felt almost magical.

It wasn't long before I drifted back off to sleep.

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I cracked my eyes open, looking at Anthony's face. He looked so peaceful, even though his nose was still a little red from crying. Suddenly, it hit me. It was morning.

"Anthony!" I exclaimed, standing to my feet. He sat up immediately, rubbing his eyes.

"What's wrong?"

"It's morning and my parents are going to kill me!" I saw his eyes widen in surprise as he processed my words before he pulled his fingers to his mouth, letting loose a long, low whistle. Midnight came running around the corner, stopping in front of Anthony. He pulled me on and we were off, galloping through the snow. After about fifteen minutes of riding, I saw a little wooden house come into view. It was white with light blue trim, with a porch swing on the back porch. When we neared it Anthony slowed Midnight to a stop, allowing us to slip off.

"I'll drive you home, go get in my car. I'll be there in a second." Anthony said, jumping over the metal fence and slipping into the house. I hurried around the side of the building and into the passenger seat of his car. My parents were going to flip out! Why hadn't I brought my cell phone? "Ready?" I jumped slightly, startled by the sound of his voice. When had he got in the car? He was fast!

"Yeah," I replied, running a hand through my hair. We went speeding through town, slipping slightly on patches of ice. "Stop down the street from my house." He gave me a weird look but nodded, coming to a stop near the sidewalk. "Thanks, bye."

"Bye... See you later?" He asked, grabbing my wrist to stop me. I paused and locked eyes with him, noting the slight spark of sadness.

"Yeah." With that I slipped out of the car, running towards my grandma's house. I would've had Anthony drop me off at the house, but if my parents saw him it would mean trouble. Big trouble. I slipped around the side of the house, making my way up the ivy gates. It took less time going up than it had going down, probably because I was in such a hurry. I peeked into the room slowly, hoping Mackenzie was still asleep. She wasn't. Just my luck. But the door was closed, so I pushed open the window.

I had just covered my self in my bed when the door flew open, startling me to death. "Busted!" Mackenzie yelled, jumping on the bed.

"Shhhh!" I pushed a finger up to my mouth, telling her to be quiet. My heart was beating one hundred miles a minute I was so freaked out.

"Don't worry, your family went to breakfast. I told them you were asleep." Mackenzie said, shrugging.

"Oh thank God," I mumbled, sitting up.

"Where were you?" She raised an eyebrow at me.

"Out."

"With who?"

"No one."

"Was it Anthony?"

"No!" I exclaimed a little too quickly. She gave me a knowing smile before she burst out laughing, falling backward on the bed. "It's not like that." I tried to defend myself, crossing my arms over my chest.

"Sure it's not." She winked at me before falling into another fit of laughter. "Did he kiss you this time?"

"No." For some reason, I felt disappointed. I hadn't thought of it till he brought it up, but now that she had I was worried. Why did I want him to kiss me?

"Did you want him to?" Dang, she knew me way too well. I looked away from her face, giving her my answer. She just patted my shoulder. "Don't worry Hun, it happens to all of us. I was just waiting for you to fall in love."

"I don't love him."

"Yet." She smiled at me. Sometimes I wonder why she was my best friend. I slapped her shoulder before standing up and going taking a shower. I made sure it was cold because I was tired, despite the sleep I had gotten last night. When I was done I slipped on some work out pants, a pink tank top, and a purple sweater. I didn't bother with makeup, I wasn't planning on going anywhere. When I went downstairs Mackenzie was curled up on the couch, watching 'Elf.'

"I made you some hot chocolate." She said, pointing to a cup on the coffee table. I took it, slipping under Mackenzie's quilt, and fixing my eyes on the screen. I was watching the movie and drinking my coco, but I wasn't really paying attention. Mackenzie's words kept playing in my head, distracting me. Was I really falling for Anthony? If I was, did he feel the same way?