" Dear Lily,
I wanted to wish you Merry Christmas in person but Graham has a penchant for getting on my nerves. With that in mind, I find myself in need of writing it on a card.
Merry Christmas Lily,
Ps: I would have preferred being here..."
I'm at a loss for words. He'd already left with Graham in tow hours ago. Him leaving a card for me was the last thing I expected from him. There isn't much in there really, but he didn't need to leave me a card.
The toast pops out of the toaster making me jump in my seat. I'm still slightly shocked, mildly confused and in need of an explanation. Mason tends to drive me up the wall. One second makes me want to strangle him and the next makes me want to kiss him.
He is a bit of a minefield and I am in desperate need of a map to navigate. One wrong step and might end up being torn apart. Nothing new there, he has a habit of doing that to me, but I guess we both have a tendency to get on each other's nerves. Perhaps, we are more alike than I like to admit.
After pouting myself a cup of coffee and butter up a slice of toast, I settle back at the table trying to make a decision. Do I wait for him to come back or do I just call for Shay, and join them in their little adventure?
Only the thought of being dragged across Districts with Shay makes me queasy, making my appetite vanish. Needless to say, that cowardice is my favourite go-to lately.
The sound of shuffling footsteps drags me back from my reverie, and I look up just in time to see Enid trudge into the kitchen looking worse for wear.
" Good morning, dear," She rasps and plops in the seat next to me, rubbing her face, trying to chase sleep, hangover and an impending headache. She groans as if she is already one foot in the grave, and plops her face in her hands.
" Good morning. And Merry Christmas," Enid groans again, sounding more and more like a dying whale, and drags her hands on her face so harshly that leaves marks on her face. More than anything, I'm worried about her heart, and the possibility that she has forgotten to take her medication with everything that happened the night before.
My eyes go to the fridge unconsciously, and I see that the chart I've made for her is still there and she is keeping track of her medication religiously.
Sliding a cup of coffee in front of her, I slide back into my seat and go back to nursing my own. She takes it with shaky hands, probably regretting every decision she has made leading up to this morning.
" I'm glad that you are here, dear. I'm sorry that I'm not able to show you much, but my head hurts. Never mind that every bone in my body hurts right now, and everything is so fucking bright," Enid groans and looks at me with bloodshot eyes, " You don't have to be young to be stupid. Stupid doesn't doesn't have an age, apparently," She gives me a frazzled smile, and takes a swig of coffee.
" It is alright. You don't have to beat yourself up because of it," I say quietly because I know everything will be loud to her. It is indeed a nasty experience, so I try my best to be merciful.
Enid nods, " I'm glad that you and Mason are not fighting anymore. You two are my biggest love, and it saddens me so much to see you fight," I feel my throat constrict, my mouth dries, and I find it hard to tell her the truth. That Mason bargained with me.
Instead, I nod," No more fighting," I say, and gently pat her hand, and to my relief, Enid gives me a smile that doesn't seem to drain all the life out of her.
" Good. Good," She says a bit more lively, and I narrow my eyes at her. There is no way that two sips of coffee have magically cured her hangover. Unless she is playing me. Of course, she is. This is Enid after all.
Chirpier than she was when she walked into the kitchen, Enid slides out of her seat and begins pilling up pancakes on her plate, humming a tune I've heard so many times. It's a merry nursery song that her mother used to sing to her when she was little, and somehow I find that endearing.
" Enid, are you even hangover?" I dare to ask, as she turns around to sit back at the table.
" Terrible hangover," She frowns, and turns her head but there isn't any anguish, or heart in her complaint.
" Sure you are," I hum and lean back in my chair and watch her eat. I should've expected this from them. I don't even bother to feel offended. She played with me, and won. So did Mason. Damn him.
Eventually, one by one the others emerge, but none of them are pretending to be hangovers. The groans, the shuffling of feet, stumbling on each other like newborn calves make for a rather amusing imagery.
I know for sure because, Will goes straight to the sink and downs two glasses of water, Ashley doesn't even make it past the kitchen door before running back, probably to wretch in one of the bathrooms.
And I already feel sorry for Harriet since she is the one that will have to clean that mess.
Thaddeus seems to be the only one that is suffering the least, as he grabs his coffee and a few pancakes and sits at the table, as if is just another day for him.
" Merry Christmas. You'll have to forgive the other two, obviously, they don't have enough practice drinking," He says it as if he is predicting the weather, in a rather bored tone.
" Merry Christmas," I reply as he checks the time and gives his sister a shout, to tell her that they have to leave otherwise they will be late for lunch with their parents.
Ashley finally trudges back into the kitchen pale looking, and plops himself in his seat while Enid slides him a cup of coffee and some pills.
He takes them without a word and empties the cup in one go.
" Long time no see," He finally says to me, mustering what I think was meant to be a smile but it came off more like a grimace.
" Indeed," I'm not his biggest fan but I make an effort to be polite, nonetheless.
" So, what have you been up to, lately? Other than disappearing without a trace. Letting everyone believe that you are dead. And then showing up perfectly fine," It sounds more like an accusation, but I'm begging to grow immune, also fed up.
" I'm glad that you are up to date with all the events in my life. And as you put it so eloquently, I believe there is nothing more to add to that," I keep my tone light, not showing the tinge of irritation I'm currently feeling. And because he is a grade-A asshole. I'm planning to use him as a pawn in my scheme against Mason.
" I knew you could bite but I never knew you could be that vicious. I like them vicious," It seems that once again I have his full attention. And the cogs are set in motion before I can stop them.
" If that's what you are looking for then...I'm your girl," I smile sweetly, while Ashley sits straighter in his chair.
Thaddeus rises from his seat as Will walks in," As much as I love to watch you two flirt, we have a lunch we cannot miss. But, I'm sure Ashley will talk my ear off about it," He leans in to hug me, " Good to have you back Lily. Take care. See you soon," I don't think I deserve all the love I'm getting from him right now but I'll take it because I don't get it every day.
Will steps in and hugs me as soon as Thaddeus steps aside," Don't be a stranger. Give me a call, " She winks at me as she steps away, and I'm more than certain that Will has a certain favourite flavour.
" Of course," I said mildly embarrassed, while Thaddeus rolls his eyes, and leans in to kiss Enid on the cheek.
They say their goodbyes to Ashley and see themselves out.
I'm left in the kitchen with Ashely and Enid. No more distractions. Now I can finally get Ashley to ask me out.
Let the games begin.