Friends, Siblings and More

December 23rd - Mazelynn

December 23rd 

Mazelynn O’Donnell

“Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse”

“Mom!” I yell and interrupt her from my room. 

“Nobody wants to hear this stupid story again! It’s not even Christmas Eve, please just let us sleep.” I whine at her both tired and excited. 

I know I sound like a spoiled brat, and honestly I would say the same about anyone else who treated their mother that way. But the story is so overrated, and this coming from a writer who loves all the classics, that’s saying something. My mother has been telling us the same story every year the night before we go away on Christmas vacation, which normally falls on Christmas Eve. Not this year, tradition be damned. I may be lying in my makeshift bed beside my best friend Riley like every other year. Our brothers are likely doing the same in Jackson’s room across the hall, not that anyone calls him that, only ever Jack. This year was our year though, and we’re definitely not starting it off by listening to my mother and her version of the Night Before Christmas like a bunch of children on Christmas Eve.

I hear Riley giggle from her spot on the air mattress beside me. 

“What did you ask Santa for this year Maze?” She whispers, trying not to disturb my mother who is still trying to tell the story out in the hall. 

Riley has always called me Maze, just like most people call me Mazey, apparently Mazelynn is too unique and difficult for most people to wrap their brains around. 

I roll my eyes and turn to face her on the air mattress. I’ve never understood why our parents didn't just give her her own bed, or at least buy one big enough to fit us both. 

“Don’t be so childish Ri, if Santa was real he would have brought me the “perfect” boyfriend three years ago when I asked for one.” I say using air quotations to make my point. 

“Isn’t that the year we met Chris?” she asks, then realizes her mistake of bringing up my ex and her face flushes with embarrassment. 

She probably feels bad for bringing him up when we just broke up last week. If only she knew that I never really liked him and that the breakup didn’t hurt me at all, but rather freed me. For me to tell her that I would have to explain why I never had those kinds of feelings for Christian to begin with, and that’s something I could never tell her. How do you tell your best friend that you have been in love with her brother for as long as you can remember.

Rolling my eyes again but this time so she can see, I whisper back “Yeah, cause that turned out so well for me.” 

I start to turn back over when I hear my mom give up on her story and start walking towards my room.

“Fine you win. No more bedtime stories, but do try to get some sleep girls. We have to leave really early tomorrow morning. Goodnight girls, and I love you Mazey.”

“Goodnight mamma, love you too.” I say as I snuggle under the covers. 

“Goodnight Ri, see you in the morning!” I throw over my shoulder and hear my mom walk from the room muttering something about boys and video games as she walks away, making me smile as I start to drift off.