Forever Changed

“Hell yeah. I’d take this over a white Christmas any day.”

“You act like you know that from firsthand experience.”

“Oh, trust me, I do. I was brought up in the boonies of Wyoming and spent my first eleven years freezing my ass off seventy percent of the year.”

“You were lucky,” she said, sounding envious. “I wouldn’t mind living someplace where it snows. I’ve only ever been around snow for like a week at a time when we would take our annual ski trip after Christmas.”

Here was one of those differences between Kassandra and me that Drake was talking about. We never took any family vacations anywhere. Hell, we were lucky if my dad didn’t blow his check before the rent was due. Even when we had lived in Wyoming, we never had the money to go skiing. The only winter activity I had been able to persuade the old man to let me play was hockey, and that was only because all my gear had been donated.

“I haven’t done much skiing,” I said, hoping that eventually she wouldn’t come to her senses and realize the different worlds we came from.

“You’re not missing much. My favorite part was hanging out in the ski lodge by the fireplace fli…” her words trailed off and her cheeks reddened.

“Flirting with guys,” I finished for her, raising my eyebrows. “Give me an example,” I teased.

“No way,” she said, smiling now.

“Come on, lay your ski bunny charm on me,” I said. “Act like you don’t know me.”

“Ugh, no, it’s waaaay too embarrassing. I was shameless.”

“Come on, sweets, ask me to get a hot chocolate with you,” I said, wagging my eyebrows at her suggestively.

“Very funny, you’re a crack up,” she said, giving my arm a light swat.

“Oh, that looks so hot. Would you like me to blow it for you?” I asked, trying for my best sensually girlish voice.

She threw her head back and laughed. “That’s gross, you perv.” Her laughter was contagious and by the time we reached the mall, my side hurt from laughing with her.

I parked in front of Barnes and Noble and grabbed on to her hand as we headed toward the entrance. She looked happier right now than I could ever remember seeing her. I couldn’t resist pulling her into my arms and planting a kiss right on those sweet lips. She melted in my arms before abruptly pulling back.

“Wait, what if I’m still germy?” she asked, looking concerned.

“That’s a risk I’m willing to take,” I said, dipping my head down for one last kiss.

When we parted, she was intently studying me. “What?” I asked.

“You’re going to have to start showing some serious character flaws, because I’m beginning to think you’re too perfect,” she chided.

“Oh, sweet naïve Kass, you have no idea how far from the truth you are,” I said, tucking her into the crook of my arm and guiding her threw the doors. “You should flee now before I completely corrupt you. I said more seriously.

I found it ironic that he thought he would corrupt me. If anyone was doing the corrupting, it was me. I was just afraid that someday he would see the ugliness that lurked inside me. Pushing those fears to the side, I dragged him from one store to next searching for the perfect gifts for Megan, Mom and him.

“Break, please, I need a break,” Maddon cried after we’d been at the mall several hours. He dropped to his knees, making an overly exaggerated effort to sound desperate. “I demand food now, or I may have to start gnawing on your arm like a crazed zombie,” he added, making a grab for my arm.

“What a baby. We’ve only been here for what, three hours?” I said, tucking my arm behind me for safekeeping. I darted to the side, giggling as I tried to avoid his advance.

“You cannot run from a crazed monster,” he said, snatching me up in his arms. “On second thought, who needs bony arms when necks are so much more appetizing?” he said, dipping his head down to my neck.

My giggles died away as his warm breath brushed across the skin on my neck.

“Get a room,” a group of pre-teens catcalled, walking around us.

“Hit puberty,” Maddon retorted, pulling back. “Food,” he added, dragging me away.

“Pick your poison,” I said, standing on the outskirts of the packed food court. “I think I want a gyro from Greek Isle,” I said, pointing to one of my favorite fast food places. “How about you?”

“Wow, this place is a madhouse,” he stated. “We’re going to need a shoe-horn to get over there, but that sounds good. I think I’ll have the same, with a slice of pizza from Stavros, and a chicken burrito from Taco ‘Hell.'”