Unfortunately for myself holiday cheer was still very lively. I figured since caroling didn't go as smooth as my mother wanted she let me off the hook for the remainder of the holiday, but I was dead wrong.

     My little mini me came barging in my bedroom requesting Karin and me to come downstairs.  My mom knew I couldn't say no to my little sister like I could her. Well played.

   "I thought we was done with the holidays." I mumble underneath my breath hoping my mom super hearing wouldn't hear what I said.

    "You should know this family better." My mother scolded in an ugly red reindeer Christmas sweater.  Did I forget to mention my mother forced us all to wear ugly Christmas sweaters?  Everyone had their holiday traditions this was sadly one of mine.

    "Eve! You going have a cookie?" Little Maverick asks me with her adorable emerald eyes looking at me expecting me to obey her.
  
    I reluctantly take my sit at the dinning table and pick up a snowman cookie. 

   "Good, aren't they?" My chipper best friend adds with cookie crumbs all over hit face.  He was like a little kid when it came to sweets. 
 
  Mom also brought Karin his own Christmas sweater.  His featured a sloth dangling from a candy cane.  I never knew of a truer spirit animal for my best friend.

     Mom rejoins all of us at the dining room table with her own plate of cookies.

   "Mom! Did you tell Eve yet?" My little sister manages to ask with a face full of cookies currently in her mouth.

   "Tell me what?"  I curiously ask eyeing my father who was avoiding my intrusive stare.

   Karin threw his arm around me and said,  "We are going skiing!"
 
   "Skiing?" I ask confusingly.

 
   "Skiing!" Three excited voices confirm all except my father who had his head deep in the newspaper still avoiding my questionable stare.

        "As a human being with rights, I have the right to refuse to go." I stubbornly announce now sitting on mine and Maverick bed with a still empty suit case.

   "Don't be so dramatic." Karin states with an eye roll. Was the drama queen himself telling me not to be dramatic?

  "It's a conspiracy theory." I mumble still refusing to get up and actively pack my bag.

  "Against you? I think it's actually for you." My best friend adds suggestively while starting to throw random clothes in my luggage.

   "How could this possibly be for me?" I ask already exhausted of the thought of going skiing.

   "Well for starters, It's the Steele family who invited us to their luxurious ski resort." My best friend says like it was a good thing when really it was the opposite of good.

    "Exactly. That's why I shouldn't go." I try to reason with Karin only for him to shove more clothes in my bag.

  "You don't have a choice in the matter. Now you could help me pack your bag or risk settling for my taste of clothing for you."

   Signing I shove my best friend aside and look inside my mess of a suitcase which currently matched myself—- a mess.

   "Seriously?" I question holding up a black pair of underwear that was laced.

  "You never know." Karin adds with a eye brow wiggle which causes me to kick him in his shin.

  "Will you ever stop doing that?" My best friend pleads with me while still grinning mischievously.

  "Probably not." I shrug closing my suitcase so he couldn't put anymore suggestive things inside it.

    Bringing our suitcases downstairs my mother was straightening Maverick's pink beanie.  Leave it to mom always like to micro manage everything.

    In the drive way was my ford truck. Looking at my father confused he sheepishly admits we were taking my truck because his was getting worked on.

    I didn't know how mother expected all of us to fit in my two door ford truck. 

  Almost sensing my question my mother says, "Thanks for letting us borrow the truck sweetie. Your ride will be here shortly to take you guys to Steeles Lodge." Mom gives me a kiss on the cheek and signals for Maverick to get in the truck who reluctantly does but not before sending me a sad look.

   She really didn't like being apart from me that much. 
  
    Now looking at my best friend who didn't even seem to be surprised about this outcome I ask, "Did you know about this?"

    Eyeing him carefully I notice how Karin's jet black hair was tucked underneath his red beanie and his hands were inside his denim jackets.  His baby blue eyes was looking everywhere but at me. Which was a telltale sign he did in fact know something.
 
    "Me? No." My best friend nervously chuckles while rubbing back of his neck.

   Before I could get another word in a mini-cooper pulls up in the drive way and the driver door opens.

     "You have got to be kidding." I groan frustrated while my best friend was making sure he was out of hitting distance from me, throwing the luggage in the trunk.
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   A/N: Happy Friday everyone!  I really appreciate everyone who has took interest in my book. Voting, commenting, adding it to their reading list. Next few chapters will be coming soon. ^-^