Chapter 6
Fern was surprised that Aden and her father had gotten along. They were laughing, talking and just being nice. Fern could tell that Aden brought out the positive side of her father, and it absolutely thrilled her. Jay and Aden also got to know each other better. She could tell that Aden wasn't too keen becoming friends with Jay, but he tolerated it, which Fern saw as a great start. Fern couldn't be happier as she watched her two favorite guys debating as to whether to watch Nightmare Before Christmas or Frosty the Snowman.
“I say we watch Nightmare Before Christmas since it IS Christmas Eve!” Aden defended, already standing up and walking towards the television to put in the movie. Jay groaned and grabbed Aden's shoulder spinning him around so that they were face to face.
“But Frosty the Snowman is such a classic.” Jay countered calmly, holding up the movie and flashing a smile.
“No. That movie's boring.” Aden replied stubbornly. Fern laughed, she knew that Aden was stubborn and wanted things to go his way, otherwise he just got grumpy. Jay rolled his eyes, and before she knew it they started to get into a heated argument.
“Boys.” Fern called, but they didn't hear her still too into their argument. “Boys!” She tried again, still no recognition. “BOYS!” She hollered, finally catching the two boys attention, both wearing angry expressions. “Why don't we just watch both?” Fern suggested, a hopeful smile on her face, her eyes begging to stop with their bickering and to watch a movie. Jay and Aden looked at each other, shrugged, then looked back towards Fern.
“Which one do you want to watch first?” Jay asked politely, his accent strong, causing Fern to smile. She loved his accent, it was so different compared to anyone's here.
“Pick the better one first.” Aden broke in, raising his eyebrows and mouthing “me”, while simultaneously pointing from him to the movie he was holding, a cheesy smile on his face. Jay shoved Aden slightly, telling him to stop, but did Aden listen? No. Aden just shoved Jay right back.
“Let's watch Aden's first, that way I won't go to bed scared.” Fern decided, Aden wearing a huge grin and confidently striding over and putting the movie in, Jay walking over to the couch, a frown on his face. Fern giggles and she pats the seat next to her. Jay sits down and while Fern proceeded to hug him around the torso in comfort. Aden turns and his focus falling on the scene in front of him, his grin disappearing. He walks over while sitting at Fern's feet. She can tell that his body was tense by the way he was sitting. The movie started and Fern let go of Jay. She started to play with Aden's hair and she smiled as she saw his shoulders relax and the tension in the air leave. She never understood why Aden got strange when he saw Fern and Jay hugging or laughing. She assumed because Aden was very protective of her and he didn't seem to be too fond of Jay when they met, for reasons she still doesn't know. Fern screamed as the ghosts danced and sang around merrily, but in a creepy manner. She shoved her face into Jay's chest as she squeezed her eyes tight, clinging to his shirt so desperately she thought his shirt was going to rip in her hands. Jay chuckled as he wrapped his arm around her shoulders, rubbing her arm in an attempt to comfort her.
“You're the biggest scaredy cat I've ever known. This movie isn't scary what so ever.” Aden laughed. Fern glanced up quickly to see the humor sparkling in Aden's eyes. Fern then moved her focus back over to the movie where she squealed and shoved her face right back into Jay's chest. She spent the rest of the time glancing at the movie, screaming, then burrowing back into the protection of Jay's arms. The movie was finally over and she let out a huge sigh of relief.
“Finally, that was terrible.” Fern exclaimed, throwing her hands in the air. Aden started laughing his loud laugh, and soon Fern joined along, unable to resist.
“Your laugh is so cute.” Jay whispered in Fern's ear. Fern could feel her face burning. Fern was about to respond, but Jay got up to go change the movie and Aden quickly took his spot, putting a protective arm around Fern's shoulders. She could feel Aden was tense, so she snuggled into Aden's side as the movie started. She was excited to watch the light and happy movie, after that scary one. Getting into the movie, Fern and Aden would belt out the lyrics to every single song, while Jay chuckled here and there, sending them amused glances. All too soon, the movie had ended and Fern's smile turned into a small pout. Jay stood up and stretched while turning around to face Aden and Fern.
“It's getting late, I should go. It is Christmas Eve after all.” Jay drawled, looking at the clock on the wall. Fern nodded in understanding, a sad smile appearing quickly on her face.
“We're going to miss you.” Fern told Jay, hugging him tightly.
“Not me.” Aden added, his presence soon close behind them. Fern gasped and broke the hug, turning around and smacking Aden in the arm. She looked at him with a stern expression while Aden looked right back, his goofy grin making it so hard for Fern to stay mad at him.
“Well, bye guys. Have a great Christmas!” Jay burst out. Fern turned around, and walked him to the door, Aden close behind. Fern waved happily after Jay as she watched him walk down the street and around the corner. Fern turned around and met Aden staring at her intensely, his smile sly and mysterious. Fern giggled nervously, turning back around to close the door. As she turned back around his smile was big and goofy once again. Fern smiled back, convincing herself that she was just seeing things.
“What do you want to do now?” Aden questioned, raising an eyebrow curiously. Fern's smile widened as she realized what she wanted to do.
“Let's go stargazing!” Fern announced, her eyes bright. Where Fern lived there were no street lights, so the neighborhood was always pitch black at night. She's been wanting to go out stargazing, knowing that it would be absolutely breath taking, but she never has gotten to it. Aden looked at her skeptically, an innocent and confused pout on his face.
“Stargazing? Doesn't that seem kind of boring?” Aden whined, just like how a little kid who didn't get the toy they wanted would. Fern didn't answer as she dragged Aden out into the freezing December air. Fern dusted off the snow on the swing and sat down, Aden slowly following after. Fern's breath caught in her throat as she saw millions of stars twinkling and shining above her head. She's never seen so many stars. Fern's mouth was slightly agape and her eyes widened, just like a little kid who witnessed their first Christmas morning. Aden left for a little bit and came back with wood in his arms. Fern snapped out of her trance as her gaze fell on Aden struggling on starting a fire. Fern laughed when Aden got a flame started before it burnt out, Aden groaning in frustration.
“Where did you get the wood?” Fern wondered, watching as again and again Aden attempting, then failing to start a fire.
“Your dad gave it to me, he also gave us these.” Aden replied, throwing two blankets her way. Fern gratefully pulled the blanket tightly around her as she stood up and took the lighter from Aden's hands. She lit the fire easily and the huge flames started to eat up the dry wood, the wood crackling in protest.
“I could have done that, my hands were just numb.” Aden defended himself, his tone embarrassed and his face bright red.
“Okay, say what you want.” Fern sang walking back to the swing. She wrapped her blanket even tighter around herself as her gaze shifted back to the stars. “Isn't it beautiful?” She said breathlessly. Aden shrugged his gaze also on the stars. Fern looked over at Aden. In the fire light his features were defined and sharp and his blue eyes even more blue than usual, she thought he looked very attractive. Fern felt herself blush as Aden caught her staring at him. He smirked and looked back towards the sky. “Do you think it's beautiful?” Fern went on, her cheeks still hot.
“I don't know what's beautiful yet. Ask me later.” Aden answered, looking at Fern, his gaze intense and his eyes twinkling in the fire light. Fern felt her face heat up again. She silently prayed that the lighting hid it. Aden and Fern sat in silence for a couple of moments before Aden looked at his phone. “I should go.” Aden spoke suddenly. Fern felt herself deflate as she stood up next to him.
“I don't want you to leave.” Fern complained, a pleading frown on her lips. Aden smiled, his eyes sending her an apology.
“I'm sorry, I'm sure my family will want to be with me for at least some of Christmas Eve.” Aden admitted, his smile widening to where you could see his dimple. Fern nodded in understanding. Fern was engulfed in a hug. Fern closed her eyes as she inhaled his familiar scent, and the same shiver went down her spine. Aden quickly kissed the top of her head where a small shock followed in the same spot. Fern was speechless, she had no clue what just happened.
“Goodnight Fern.” Aden called, as he hopped over the fence and disappeared. Fern was left standing in shock as she touched the place where Aden had pecked his lips moments ago, a tingling sensation still present.