It's now Saturday midday, more than a week after Reece got his tattoo. The days seem to be passing by slower and slower. It's now the 19th of December. It was my everyone's last day of school yesterday. But, of course, I have to go back to school again on Monday still because apparently my school hates me. It started snowing for the first time yesterday. It's only a light snow, but it's there. It looks so beautiful from the balcony in our apartment.

But it also means that it's absolutely freezing. Currently, I'm snuggled up on my couch with Bella, watching Divergent and drinking hot chocolate. I'm passing time, waiting for Reece to call when he wakes up.

About halfway through the movie, my phone buzzes and I smile, ready to accept the call. But I frown when I see it's a text message from him instead.

I won't be able to call this morning, I'm doing an extra training session with Gunner for a couple hours. Sorry Sunshine.

I sigh sadly, pouting. I've been looking forward to his call. He's been doing that a little more over the past week. He's had quite a few training sessions with Gunner on nights that he wouldn't usually. Maybe he's stressed.

I also noticed something different about the way he ends our calls. Usually, he just catches the kiss I blow to him, but about a week ago, he started bringing the kiss to his chest, over his heart. He's just too cute.

That's okay but please don't overwork yourself. I miss you.

Almost immediately, he replies.

I miss you too Sunshine.

My heart warms. He's adorable.

I turn my phone off and start paying attention to the movie again. But I quickly get antsy, just wanting to get up and do something.

"You hungry?" I ask Bella, standing up and heading over to the kitchen. My mom is out grocery shopping at the moment, so we don't have a whole lot left in the pantry.

"Yeah, what have we got?" She asks, not looking away from the TV.

I open the cupboard and look around, trying to find something quick and easy. I spot a box and take it out, looking back at her, "Pop Tarts?"

"Yes please!" She nods, grinning as she looks back at me briefly before focusing her attention back on the movie.

I put a couple Pop Tarts in the toaster before grabbing my phone and leaning against the bench as I turn it on. I'm immediately greeted by the time, telling me it's 12:34pm. Reece's smiling face is also what greets me. I'm also in the photo, but that's never what I focus on.

I had practically forced Reece to take the photo with me, and even then, he wouldn't look at the camera. He's smiling, but he's smiling at me and I think I like that much more anyway.

I'm jolted out of my thoughts by the toaster popping and I grab the Pop Tarts, putting them on two plates and bringing them back into the living room. I plop down next to Bella, handing her a plate.

She thanks me quietly before turning her attention back to the movie. I do as well, hoping that time will fly by just a little faster so that I can talk to Reece sooner.

~

It's now six o'clock. I still haven't heard from Reece. I think this is now the longest I have ever gone without talking to him since I moved away, except for when I go to sleep. The last time I spoke to him was last night. I miss him already.

Bella is now in her room, wrapping Christmas presents while my mom is in the living room, watching one of her reality TV shows. I'm currently out on the balcony, watching the light snowfall while snuggled up in Reece's hoodie and my comforter from my bed.

It's quite cold, but the last of Reece's scent on his hoodie warms my insides. Maybe I can get him to mail me another hoodie. Then I can mail this one back to him and I'll have a fresh Reece-scented hoodie. That could work.

"Layla!" I hear my mom call me from inside and I sigh, getting up and dragging my comforter with me. I open the balcony doors and walk inside, instantly feeling warmer. I shut the door behind me and look towards my mom on the couch.

"Yeah?" I ask, dropping my comforter on the end of the couch.

"There's someone at the door, could you get it for me?" She asks, sending me a smile.

I narrow my eyes at her, "You really called me inside to open the front door when you are right here?" I grumble but start walking towards the door anyway. Sighing, I don't bother looking through the peephole before swinging the door open.

What I see almost makes my heart stop.

The familiar face of a pre-teen boy with bright turquoise eyes stares right back at me. He smiles sheepishly. "Uh, Hi Layla, is Bella here?"

My mouth falls open in shock and I stumble back a couple steps, staring at him in shock. "How-" I'm lost for words, unable to comprehend what's happening. It's only when another much taller person runs up to my door that I realize what is happening. And I completely lose it.

The tears almost immediately start pouring from my eyes and a large sob racks my chest as I fall to the floor on my knees. Burying my face in my hands, I lean over and continue to cry as I repeat the same words over and over again in my head. They're here. They're here. They're here.

I hear someone drop down in front of me before a pair of large, warm hands pull my own away from my tear-stained face. Their hands replace mine, cupping my cheeks with the gentlest hold. My head lifts up and when my gaze locks on the most beautiful pair of turquoise eyes, my heart really does stop.

It's him. He's really here.

Reece's eyes are wide with concern as he kneels on the floor in front of me, his thumbs brushing the never-ending tears from my cheeks. His hair is a mess as though he's been running his hands through it all day. He smells just like I remember but better and much stronger than the scent that has lingered on his hoodie.

"Reece," I sob, my brain finally catching up with what is happening. I leap towards him and into his arms, wrapping my arms around his neck. His hands fall from my face and he immediately pulls me closer until I am practically sitting in his lap. "You're here." I sniffle as I nuzzle my face into the side of his neck, closing my eyes in pure bliss. I forgot how good it felt to be in his arms.

"Of course I'm here, Sunshine. It's okay. I've got you," He whispers reassuringly, holding my head in place with one hand as though he's afraid I'll pull away. "Please don't cry," He pleads, his voice fragile as if he's on the verge of tears himself.

I pull back slightly to look up at him and meet his gorgeous turquoise eyes for just a moment before I bury my face in his shoulder again. His arms wrap around my waist firmly and after a moment, he starts to stand. I wrap my legs around his waist instinctively, letting him hold me up. I never want to let him go again.

I move my head back to look at him once more, my hand lifting to cup his smooth-shaven cheek. "Are you really here right now? Is this real?"

He chuckles softly, "Yes, this is real, Sunshine."

"I missed you so much. You have no idea." I whisper, staring into his gorgeous eyes up close for the first time in a long time, rather than through a screen.

"Oh, Sunshine," he chuckles, ducking his head down so that it rests in the crook of my neck, "I've definitely missed you more."

Slowly, he lets me back down on the ground, but I don't let go, wrapping my arms around his waist instead. I rest my head on his chest, right over his heart so I can listen to his heartbeat. His breath hitches.

I pull away from him slightly when I realize who was standing at the door and who else is probably here. The second I am released from Reece's arms, I am quickly tackled back down to the ground. I wrap my arms around Anna tightly as we both begin to cry.

"I missed you, best friend!" She sobs, clutching me to her tightly.

I choke out something between a laugh and a sob as well, "I missed you more!"

She squeezes me tightly before pulling away a little, "We have so much to catch up on!"

"Yes!" I laugh as we both stand up again, "How are you guys here? And why did you not tell me?"

"Can we explain after I get a hug, Blondie?" I turn around at the sound of the familiar voice and immediately get swooped up into Liam's arms.

I giggle, giving him a tight hug, "I missed you so much!"

"It's been forever! I don't know how you coped without me!" He exclaims, setting me back down on the ground.

I laugh, "It was very difficult, trust me." I look around and notice that Max is still standing by the door, practically bouncing up and down as he looks around. I smile and point down the hall. "Bella's room is the last door on the left." At my words, he immediately sprints off in the direction, not wasting another second.

"How are you guys here right now?" I ask, turning back to face the three of them as I wrap my arms around myself, feeling another tear fall.

Reece is in front of me instantly, using his thumbs to brush away the tears. I meet his gaze again and I can almost feel my heart sigh in content. I enjoy his touch much more than I should. "My parents organized this with your mom. They've seen how miserable we all are without you. So, they decided to let us spend Christmas here."

My eyes widen, "You're staying for Christmas?"

"And New Year's, if that's okay." His lips quirk up into a crooked smile, his dimples on display.

"If that's okay? Okay? Are you kidding? This is the best thing that's ever happened to me!" I squeal, jumping forward to hug him once more. He doesn't hesitate to hold me to him, pressing a gentle kiss to my forehead. I pull back from him slightly to look up into his eyes. I move my hands up to cup his jaw as I lean up on the tips of my toes to press a kiss to his cheek. His eyes flutter closed as I do so. I kiss his other cheek as well, unable to stop myself from pressing a kiss to the tip of his nose right after.

His bright eyes open and our gazes lock. My breath hitches. He's close. So, so close. He's less than an inch away from me. One tiny tilt of my head and our lips would touch.

Do all best friends do this?