Adore [H.S.]

70

Ho-Ho-Hopefully - The Maine

"We go together like the winter and this sweater. And she makes me feel, she makes me feel alive inside."

HARRY

Discarded wrapping paper lined the overpriced carpeting. Empty plates with leftover breakfast food sat on top of the coffee table. I glanced around at my dysfunctional family and everyone seemed to be happy. Contentment washed over their tired faces.

Leaning back against the couch I had claimed mine for the morning, I stare at the gift in my lap. An e-reader. According to step-daddy dearest, this is the better way to read books. "For all those little books you read." Were the words he used when he handed me the box. It cost too much and was a waste of money. People shouldn't be spending hundreds of pounds on something so small and ridiculous. There is nothing better than holding a physical copy of a book. It's the best feeling; an indescribable feeling. Whenever my fingers skim over the crinkling pages of a well read book. He probably hasn't picked up a piece of literature once in his life. Bastard.

Ben and Jaz had taken the train up last night. I on the other had, decided to drive up two nights ago, the day after I dropped Isabella off at the airport. That had been a mistake on my part. The tension in the household had become difficult the moment I entered. Being in the same vicinity as Mark for longer than needed was nearing impossible. Whenever he opened his fat mouth to talk, I had to resist the urge to punch him in the jaw.

The post-gift opening lull had casted itself down on everyone. With christmas music being played in the background, I sat back drinking a cuppa that was much too bitter. I get that this Denise chick had some issues, but for fuck's sake, how hard was it to make a decent cup of tea?

"Like the gift?" Jaz's high voice broke through my thoughts, startling me and causing a bit of tea to pour onto my thigh.

"Shit," I hiss. The scalding tea seeping through my pyjama pants.

"I'm so sorry!" She apologizes, throwing a few loose napkins on my thigh. "I didn't mean to startle you."

"It's fine." I grunt, rubbing the dry napkin against my pants. "It's shit anyways"

She gives me a tight lip smile forcing a laugh. Her eyes downcast on the chipped polish on her fingernails. Ben returns into the lounge. He juggles three dark navy mugs in his hands. He walks over to where we are, taking a seat beside Jaz. Ben passes her a mug in which she graciously accepts. He hands me one over and I take it, muttering a quick thanks.

"Tea. I don't know about you, but the one I had was kind of shit. Thought I'd make us a new one." Ben explains, taking a sip from his own mug.

"It was shit." I say blankly, bringing the hot tea to my mouth.

"It wasn't that bad." Jaz sighs, putting her old mug on top of the coffee table.

Ben chuckles, shaking his head. "It was bad. Nice girl but terrible at making a decent cup of tea."

Grunting a response, I sip the hot liquid. Fuck, that was better. We drink our tea in silence. The crackling sound of the fireplace being the only thing noise in the room. While a somewhat comfortable silence falls over us.

Reaching into the pocket of my jumper, I search for my phone to check the time. It was eleven in the morning which meant it was still only three am in New York. God, I always heard that long distance relationships were shit. I never realized how inconvenient they truly were. Time differences were also a pain in the ass. All I wanted to do was to call my girlfriend and wish her a Merry Christmas. Shit, when did I become a lovestruck school girl?