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Tyler
Christmas Break

August came and went. September was the last time I spoke to Amari. The last time I touched her. The last time I smelt her. December came quickly and with it came all of the winter ball invitations and proposals. Of course, Jake went all out for when he asked Amari and of course she said yes. The winter ball wasn't that much fun.

What about Christmas? All of the Christmas plans came and with it came the constant arguments between my parents, hiding it from Hunter, and the worrying about how this Christmas would play out. Amari and I were obviously not on good terms, but that ruined everything for everyone. Did us not talking mean that our joined family trip to the cabins for Christmas wouldn't happen? Our Moms had been doing it since they were kids and I hated that Amari and I would be the ones to ruin the tradition.

"I can't decide if I want to go with basic winter white boy or swagged out Justin Bieber." Hunter said holding up two sweaters. "What do you think?"

"For?" I asked glancing up from my bowl of cereal.

"For the first night at the cabin this year." Hunter said. "Those are the pictures Mom will be posting on Facebook for every milestone until next year."

"Are we even going to the cabin this year?" I sighed.

"I mean, I assume we are. We do it every year." Hunter shrugged sitting down across from me at the kitchen table.

"But Mom and Dad have barely been talking to Mr. and Mrs. Rose. Besides, Amari and I aren't on the best of terms right now." I said.

"Maybe we'll just be going by ourselves." Hunter said grabbing the cereal box and eating some.

"Maybe." I mumbled and took another bite of my cereal.

That Night

Mom was rushing around making sure everyone had packed and that everything we needed would be ready when it was time to go Tomorrow morning. We were still going to the cabin, but we weren't sure if Amari and her family would still be coming.

"Tyler, if Amari is going to be there I need you to be civil." Mom said. "She's still the daughter I've always wanted."

"Mom, I have nothing against her. We just aren't talking right now." I said.

Mom bit her lip and sighed before sitting beside me.

"I need you to be honest with me, Tyler." She said studying my face.

"Alright." I laughed.

"No. I'm being serious." She patted my knee. "Before Naomi comes I need you to tell me what really happened between you two? You told me you two just fell out, but it has been months and you two have known each other for years. You don't just fall out with someone like Amari. What's going on?"

I didn't know if I should tell her. Mom's parents were big Christians. She would flip if she knew that I was in a relationship and still having sex with someone else. She would flip if she found out that I was having sex with Amari as if she was a random girl from a party. She'd die if she found out I was the reason why Amari and I weren't friends anymore.

"I don't know, Mom." I lied looking down at my hands. "We were cool one minute and she was gone the next."

Mom sighed and shook her head.

"You two really need to talk this out." She said standing up. "Maybe kiss and make up. This could be a lovers quarrel. First of many I hope."

She winked and walked away leaving me with a tired sigh.

Amari

"I don't understand why we're still going out there." I sighed. "I don't understand why I have to."

"Maybe because it's tradition and you can't avoid Tyler forever." Jake laughed helping me pack. "Besides, I think you two need to make up anyway."

If only he knew.

"I don't." I mumbled folding my jeans. "Can you go into my closet and grab a cardigan that'll look nice with that outfit on my bed?"

"Of course." Jake walked into my closet. "Beige?"

I glanced over at the outfit and thought about it.

"I suppose." I said.

"You know, when I first met Tyler I thought he would be the reason why I get the boot. Now I'm not so sure." Jake said handing me the cardigan.

"Well, you were wrong." I smiled up at him.

At the Cabin

As soon as we pulled up, I saw their car. I saw Hunter helping his Mother and Father with the bags and I saw Tyler helping Naomi over a patch of ice.

"Maybe we could find somewhere to ice skate later." Jake whispered to me as I stared out the window.

"Maybe..." I mumbled.

"Jake, why don't you help me with the bags so the ladies can go warm up." Dad said parking.

"Yeah, no problem." Jake smiled and patted my knee.

"I'll turn on the heater in my room so you don't have to freeze to death." I laughed.

"My hero." He chuckled and I kissed his cheek.

Jake helped me out of the car and I went into the cabin with Mom. The way the Cabin was set up is that the parent's rooms were on one side and our rooms were on the other. The Christmas tree was downstairs waiting to be decorated by everyone, but that was one part of the tradition I would sit out on. When I walked into the cabin, I avoided everyone and went straight to my bedroom where Naomi stood looking out of the window.

I cleared my throat and she spun around to face me. She rolled her eyes.

"Why're you here?" She asked rudely and I sighed ignoring her.

"Get out of my room." I said simply. "You will be residing next door with..." I was cut off by Tyler walking out of my closet.

"This is the only shampoo she left here from last year." He said reading the shampoo bottle. "It smells like berries and..." He stopped talking once he looked up and his eyes landed on me.

We stared at each other for a moment before I looked away.

"Uh, Naomi forgot to pack shampoo and conditioner. I didn't know you guys were coming this year. I didn't think you'd need it." He explained and I shrugged.

"It doesn't work for my hair anyway." I mumbled.

Tyler went to say something, but stopped once Jake walked in and sat our bags on the floor.

"I thought you were going to turn on the heat." Jake said before looking at Naomi and Tyler. "Oh, hey."

"Hey." They mumbled.

"So, she can have it then?" Tyler asked and I shrugged walking over to the heater and turning it on.

"I don't care." I sighed.

"Thanks." Tyler mumbled and he grabbed Naomi and they left.

"What was he here for?" Jake asked taking his coat off and sitting on the bed to kick his shoes off.

"Naomi needed shampoo." I shrugged. "Are you still cold?"

"Yeah. It's freezing." He said. "I should've worn two pairs of pants."

"Let me warm you up." I smiled standing between his legs and kissing his lips.

"Okay, that's hot and all, but stop. Please." We heard from the door.

We both looked over and saw Hunter standing there with a cup of hot chocolate.

"Hey Amari." He smiled at me and I waved lazily. "Mom made some hot cocoa if you guys want any."

"I'm fine." I said trying to rush him out of my room.

"You sure? We have the jumbo marshmallows." He said waving his cup.

"I kind of want some." Jake laughed standing up and grabbing my hand. "Come on."

I sighed and we walked downstairs where everyone else were with hot chocolate.

"Amari, we didn't see you come in." Mrs. Brooks smiled at me. "Here. Sit so I can make your drink."

I sat down on stool and Jake stood behind me with his arms wrapped around me and his chin resting on my shoulder.

"How many marshmallows do you want Jake?" Mom asked.

"However many you want to put in there." Jake said.

"What about you, baby?" Mom asked me.

"Four." Tyler and I said at the same time.

I looked over at him and he sipped his hot cocoa looking out the window. It felt like no one else had heard him or bothered to pay him any mind. It irritated me.

Tyler

Why did I answer for her? Why did I have to let it be known that I pay attention to her? Does she think I'm weird now? Does she hate me more?

"How about after this we all go play hockey on the ice?" Mr. Brooks asked.

"Why? You want to get your ass whipped once again?" Dad laughed.

"You guys got lucky last year. This year will be different." Mr. Brooks laughed.

"It's an uneven number." Mrs. Brooks laughed.

Last year I got lucky. I was sick whenever Dad and Mr. Brooks decided to play hockey. That's how Tyler ended up playing with my parents and winning. This year I was healthy and they knew it.

"How about we let little miss Naomi keep score." Dad said. "It's fair. You two have your boys and we have Amari and Jake. Jake you do know how to play hockey, right?"

"Been playing since I was 8." Jake said.

"Really?" I asked.

"Yeah." He nodded. "I can show you pictures."

"Yes please." I smiled big and he chuckled.

"Later." He laughed and nudged me.

"Tyler has been playing since he was 4." Naomi spoke up. "Mrs. Brooks told me all about it. Have you seen the photos, Amari?"

"Seen the photos? I was at the games." I laughed.

"Yeah." Mom chimed in. "We used to have Amari run around the ice and Tyler skate after her. That's how he learned to ice skate. Then he taught Amari to ice skate when they were 6."

I glanced at Tyler and he was already looking at me. We both looked away.

"Well, now I expect a skate off." Jake laughed. "Loser has to lay in the snow in their pajamas."

"I'm not doing that." I laughed.

"Scared you'll lose?" Jake asked.

"Nope. I'm scared you'll get sick once I beat you." I winked at him.

"So we're doing it?" He laughed.

"Of course." I nodded and sipped my hot chocolate.

An hour later

We all skated off the ice tired. Team Brooks won the hockey game and I lost the skate off with Jake. Mom and Mrs. Brooks were already heading back to the cabin and Dad and Mr. Brooks trailed behind them. Hunter was walking with Naomi and Tyler. Jake and I were in the very back.

"So when are you going to lay in the snow?" Jake laughed.

"Once I put on my pajamas, I suppose." I shrugged tiredly.

"Maybe tomorrow morning." He said grabbing my hand. "You seem tired right now. Too tired to fight off sickness."

I laughed and rested my head on his shoulder for a second.

"Now that, I can do." I yawned.

Jake chuckled. Tyler glanced back at us with tired eyes. Just as quickly as he had looked back, he turned away from us.

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