“Do you have plans to at least relax for the holidays?” I ask, pretending to act polite.
“Relax? What a foreign concept.” He laughs through the speaker. “Just Christmas Eve dinner tonight at my parents’ place. You know what my dad is like, he’s drunk on eggnog watching National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. It’s his tradition.”
Dad laughs loudly, knowing all too well what Uncle Rocky is like.
“I’ve had the unfortunate pleasure of seeing exactly that. You may want to leave before he whips out the Santa costume and asks Nikki if she’s been naughty.”
Both Dad and I try to hold in our laughter, though find it impossible to do.
Will groans. “Thanks for allowing me to relive the trauma.”
“Merry Christmas, Will,” I say, with my dad continuing to watch me. “Try not to work too hard.”
“Can’t promise that. But Merry Christmas, Amelia.”
Dad ends the call and continues a conversation about Uncle Rocky, quick to compare him to the infamous Cousin Eddie from the National Lampoon movies. We chat a little while longer before he kisses me goodbye, leaving for work.
As soon as he’s gone, my phone lights up with a text.
Will: What I would give to bend you over for being naughty.
Me: I’ll write a list of all the bad things I’ve done.
Will: What’s number one?
Me: You.
Ava strolls in the kitchen, complaining about her hair. We get into an argument over it, my patience with her wearing thin until Mom calls us both out for being petty. After we both refuse to apologize, Mom suggests we leave to avoid the rush.
The mall is the busiest I’d ever seen it, packed with people everywhere you look. There are panicked shoppers darting around and purchasing whatever they can get their hands on. I don’t care for rude people, nor the lines at each checkout. The shop attendants are beyond over it, barely a customary smile on their tired faces.
Had I been proactive and organized, I could’ve avoided all of this by shopping online. But, of course, I have better things to focus on, which is all I can think about these days.
Exhaustion begins to creep in, my feet tired from all the walking. I get everyone a present except Ava. Given that she’s following me everywhere, it makes it hard to purchase something without her knowing.
“I’m just going to go off on my own for a while.”
“Why? We’re almost done,” Ava complains.
“Because I just want to be alone,” I snap.
“God, Amelia, you’re such a bitch,” Ava barks, slamming the hanger back on the rack. “Ever since you got here, you’ve been in such a mood.”
“Ava!” Mom scolds, letting out a sigh. “This isn’t the place to have such a discussion.”
With a pinched expression, I stare directly at Ava, lacking any warmth toward my opinionated sister. If there’s anyone testing me, Ava Edwards is at the top of the list.
“Who cares, Mom,” Ava argues back. “Honestly, Amelia. Just say you don’t want to be here… that you’d rather be at Yale with your friends.”
Beside Ava, Mom lowers her head, remaining unusually quiet.
“You’re dramatic, as usual,” I retort.
“Am I?” Ava questions, placing her hand on her hip. “Because it looks to me like you left some man behind, and you’d rather be in his bed than with your family.”
My eyes widen at her accusation. There’s no way she could possibly know about Will unless she read my text messages. Fuck.
“Have you been reading my messages?”