Trailing Stars (Trailing Stars #1)

Chapter 9

When I wake up, the only other person awake is Hannah.

"Hey," she smiles from the stove. "You're up early."

I nod, not looking at her. "I slept better, I guess."

A slight pause. "Well, you did have an all-out war yesterday with Kate, Nathan, and Clara."

I nod. "Yeah. That was fun."

Another pause. This one feels a little heavier like Hannah wanted me to say something else. She shuts off the stove, the click piercing the dead air between us. She joins me at the table, placing a plate of pancakes in front of me. I mutter a thanks as I pull it towards me, drowning the pancakes in syrup.

Hannah clears her throat. "So... did you have any plans today?"

My eyes flicker to her. "No. Not really. Why?"

"I just remembered that neither of us has gone Christmas shopping yet." Oh. Right. That's a thing... "We can go after we eat breakfast. Maybe we'll make it back in time before Kate wakes up and tries to snoop."

I nod, turning my attention to my breakfast. "Sounds like a plan."

I feel Hannah's eyes on me. They stay on me the entire time we're eating as she asks questions about Nathan and Clara. Every little thing I say makes her eyebrow twitch. I don't know what about my answers are wrong, so it gets to the point that I stick with one-worded answers if I can. When I'm done eating, I don't hesitate to head to the sink and clean my dishes if only to take a moment to breathe.

I know Hannah is scrutinizing every little thing because she's worried, but I don't see why she has to be so critical of Nathan and Clara. Especially since they're so nice and caring. I thought I made that clear, and I thought Hannah would've seen it for herself yesterday. But I guess it's not enough for Hannah to get it.

After Hannah's dishes are clean, she drives us to town. She asks me for my opinions on different stores, but I'm not really paying attention. I count my breaths and watch the scenery go by. If Hannah notices—and I'm sure she does—she tries her best to act like I'm not doing it and keeps pointing out stores.

"How about this one?" Hannah asks, pointing out a small storefront. Varies is in a red italicized, curly font above the glass double doors. "It looks okay, right?"

I nod. Hannah parks in front of the store, and we get out of the car. I follow her inside, and the man behind the counter glances up from his book. He waves at us before going back to it.

I glance around, taking in the store. The lights are dim, giving off a warm feeling. The aisles are divided with wooden bookcases, and each shelf has different objects ranging from snow globes to journals to bracelets. There's a window seat off to the side with rugs, blankets, and bookcases filled with all types of books from murder mysteries to children's books.

Hannah decides we should split up, saying that whoever finishes first should go ahead and pay so we don't see what the other got us. Hannah goes to one half of the store while I go to the other.

I start with Kate's gift. I pass by a few things she might like. In the end, a snow globe catches my attention. Inside is a metallic scroll with "Naughty" engraved and crossed out on top. Below it says, "Being Nice is Overrated" with some scribbled lines that are supposed to represent names. Sounds like Kate.

Mom should be next. I weave in and out of a few aisles, slowing down in the one with glass figurines. Some are colored and some are clear. I walk past all the clear ones and stop in front of a case with white figurines. I personally hate the color, but it's Mom's favorite. Without a second thought, I pick the white angel.