I slowly blink my eyes open, stretching my arms up in the air. Looking around, my brows furrow as I realize I'm lying on my living room couch. Why am I not in my room?

It's then that all the memories of yesterday come flooding back and a smile pulls at my lips. I look to the other couch and find Bella and Max both passed out. Max is leaning against the armrest, still basically sitting up while he sleeps with his head leaning back. Bella has her head in his lap, her legs curled up to her. They're so cute. The armchair is empty, so I assume either Liam and Anna went to the spare bedroom to sleep or they are already up.

I look around, frowning when I realize Reece is no longer beside me. We definitely fell asleep on the couch together last night.

Standing up, I stretch my muscles out some more before turning and beginning my walk to the kitchen. I immediately spot him. He stands alone in the kitchen, making coffee. It seems as though he's the only one awake other than me. Reece has his back to me, so I slowly creep up behind him. When I stop just behind him, I wrap my arms around his waist, nuzzling my nose into his back.

"Mornin' Sunshine," His voice is deep and raspy but he doesn't sound at all surprised. His muscles do tense up slightly though.

I smile into his t-shirt, laying my cheek flat against his back. "Good morning, Reecey." Unwrapping my arms from his waist, I move to stand beside him instead, looking over his shoulder. He holds out a mug for me and I smile, taking the coffee from him. "Thank you."

"You're welcome," He replies with a small smile, turning so that he's facing me, holding his own cup of coffee. His dark hair is messy atop his head from sleeping and his eyes are bright. He has some slight stubble on his jaw and for some reason I really want to feel it. But I don't, obviously, because that would be weird.

I rest my hip against the bench and he does that same so that we're both facing each other. I take a sip of the coffee, smiling when I realize he remembered that I like it with cream and two sugars. He's so sweet. Looking up at him from beneath my lashes, I ask, "How long are you guys staying for?"

He raises an eyebrow at me before replying teasingly, "Wanting to get rid of me already, Sunshine?"

I frown, "If you could stay here with me forever, I would force you to."

"You wouldn't have to force me," he smiles, "But we're staying until the 3rd of January. We leave that night."

I gasp quietly, a grin forming on my lips, "You'll be here for your birthday!"

He smiles, his dimples popping out in the most adorable way, "I didn't think you'd remember."

"Of course I remember," I murmur, tilting my head slightly as I frown up at him, "Best friends, duh," He chuckles softly before taking another sip of his coffee. I raise an eyebrow at him as I take a sip of mine as well before replying. "Do you remember my birthday?"

"6th of March," He replies immediately, a slight smile on his face.

"See, if you remember mine, what makes you think I'll forget yours?"

He shrugs, "I dunno. I didn't think it was that important."

"Of course it is. Don't be silly," I roll my eyes at him, taking another sip of my coffee.

"Good morning, guys," I hear a soft voice come from the entrance to the kitchen, making Reece and me turn our heads towards the sound. Anna shuffles in slowly, rubbing her tired eyes. Liam walks in just behind her looking much more awake with a wide smile on his face.

"Hey, do you guys want some coffee?" I ask, nodding to the pot on the counter, "Reece just made some."

"Yes please," Anna immediately agrees, rushing forward with eagerness.

"So what's the plan for today?" Liam asks, leaning against the counter opposite Reece and me.

"We need to go Christmas shopping," Anna immediately replies, turning to us with wide eyes, "Christmas is in five days!"

I nod, "Sounds like a plan to me."

~

I pull the sleeves of my blush-colored sweater further down my arms to cover my hands as I walk through the mall with Reece, Anna and Liam at my side. I'm glad that I opted to put on my winter coat over the sweater and jeans I'm wearing because it is absolutely freezing today, even in the enclosed mall we're in.

"Ooh, let's go to Macy's!" Anna starts walking faster in the direction of the store and Liam is quickly dragged behind her by their connected hands. I chuckle quietly, looking to my right to see Reece. He's already looking down at me and when I catch his gaze, he smiles. I grin back at him, slipping my hand into the crook of his arm and following the other two into Macy's.

When we first walk in, we're greeted by the beauty department. I'm instantly drawn to the perfumes as I start looking around at the different fragrances. I soon spot my favorite perfume that I wear on the daily and I pick up the tester bottle to smell it. It always seems to smell better in the shop.

"This has to be my favorite perfume of all time," I turn to Reece and hand him the bottle, "Smell it."

He furrows his brows slightly but does as I ask. A small smile slips onto his lips as he hands it back to me. "It kind of smells like you."

I roll my eyes, placing the perfume back down and resting my hand back in the crook of his arm as we continue walking through the store. "That's because it's the perfume I wear every day."

He nods silently and I can see the wheels turning in his head. The little crease that forms between his brows is the most obvious tell.

"What do you want for Christmas?" I ask after a few moments, stopping to look at a cute purse. I immediately put it back when I see the price. That is way too expensive.

He frowns down at me, looking confused. "You don't have to get me anything, Sunshine."

It's my turn to frown now, "What? Of course I'm getting you something! Don't be silly. What do you want?"

He shakes his head with a small smile, "I have everything I want, Sunshine."

I scoff, "You can't possibly have everything you want."

"My family is happy and healthy. I have an amazing best friend. There's only one thing that could possibly make my life better, but I know that if I tell you, you'll get sad."

"I promise I won't get sad, Reece! Please tell me!"

He stares down at me for a few moments before sighing reluctantly. "Fine. The only thing I want is for you to move back home again. For good."

I pout, feeling a wave of sadness wash over me. "Okay, I lied. I got sad."

He chuckles softly, stopping and pulling me into a hug. I easily wind my arms around his waist, resting my head on his chest and listening to his pounding heartbeat. We stand like that for a moment before I speak up again, "Is that really all you want?"

He doesn't respond for a second. Then I feel him nod, "That's all I want, Sunshine."

I huff, pulling away from him slightly, "Well that makes this whole present-buying thing kind of difficult, don't you think?"

He laughs, pulling me into his side as we continue walking, "Sorry, Sunshine."

~

A knock on my bedroom door startles me as I'm in the middle of doing my eyeliner and I jump, losing my focus. Thankfully, I don't make a complete mess of it. Frowning, I look towards my door as I tell the person to come in. I know it's not Anna because she would just walk right in. This is also her room temporarily, after all.

The door opens and Reece's head pokes in a second later. I smile, gesturing for him to step inside. He does as he's told, shutting the door behind him. When he sees that I'm getting ready, he groans softly and moves towards my bed to flop down onto it ungracefully.

"Do you have to go in today?"

I pause for a moment, sitting back to observe the two small wings of eyeliner I have made and making sure they are even. "I'm sorry, Reece, but I have to. I have an assignment to hand in and I need to grab a couple textbooks for the homework I have to complete over break."

Reece groans again and I watch through the mirror in front of me as he rolls over onto his back. "But what am I going to do without you for six hours?"

I chuckle, standing up and walking over to him. He looks up at me, his hair messy and eyes tired. He's clearly only just gotten out of bed and come straight here from the spare room. "You guys are going out today. You'll have a great time and I'll be back before you know it."

He huffs, lips forming an adorable pout. I laugh, "Don't look at me like that. It's adorable." His lips turn back up into a lazy grin, dimples forming in his cheeks. I grin as well, leaning down and poking his dimples. "I have to go or I'll miss the bus."

"Wait, wait, wait," Reece shoots up as I start walking out of the room. I turn back to look at him. "Your mom doesn't have work today, right?"

I nod, eyebrows furrowing, "She doesn't, why?"

He smiles, running out of the room quickly without another word. I frown and shake my head at his weird antics. I grab my school bag and shove my black high top converses on my feet. Today I'm wearing a red square-neck shirt with some blue jeans. I also throw my black winter coat on over the top.

As I'm tying up my laces, Reece runs back into the room with a grin taking over his face. I furrow my brows, "Where did you go?"

He holds up his hand and I see my mom's car keys are dangling from his fingers. "Your mom's letting me drive you to school."

I grin, standing up, "Really? That's a hell of a lot better than taking the bus."

He nods, "Okay, I need to change, then I'll drop you off."

I smile, kissing his cheek quickly as I walk past him, "I'll be in the living room." I walk out of my room and into the living room. I make a pitstop in the kitchen and pour myself some coffee in a portable coffee mug. I can hear the shower going, so I assume it's either Anna or Mom and Liam is probably still asleep. Bella and Max must still be asleep as well.

I'm the only one that has school today. Bella finished on Friday like the others. But I have to go in today. It's only one day though, and I will see everyone again in a few hours.

Reece walks back into the room now wearing a fresh set of warm clothes. His hair isn't as messy now either. He smiles when he spots me, "You ready to go?"

I nod, walking over to him. He opens the front door for me and I thank him, stepping out into the hallway. He follows after me, closing the door behind him. I hand him my coffee, "Have some."

He opens his mouth to decline, but one look from me and he knows I'm not going to let him say no. He lifts the coffee to his lips and takes a sip before handing it back to me, "Thanks, Sunshine."

We walk down the hall and into the elevator. We're the only ones here. I press the button for the underground parking lot where the car is before stepping back as the elevator begin to move. I stand beside Reece and rest my head on his shoulder, basically hugging his arm. I trail my fingertips down his forearm, staring off into space as we stand in a comfortable silence.

When the elevator doors open, we both step out and I start leading us towards my mom's car. When we get there, Reece unlocks it and opens the passenger door for me. I raise an eyebrow at him, "I can do that myself, y'know?"

"I know," He shrugs, offering no further explanation as he waits for me to get in the car. Once I am seated, he shuts the door before jogging around the car and getting into the driver's seat. He starts the car and pulls out of the parking space before we head towards the exit.

I reach out and fiddle with the radio for a second before I settle on a radio station playing Golden by Harry Styles. I turn the sound up so that we can hear it properly, but still low enough so that we can talk if we want to.

Reece pulls out of the building and onto the main road where we merge into the traffic. I pull up google maps on my phone and set it down so that Reece can see the directions. Then I settle back into my seat, watching the traffic ahead of us.

"We haven't done this in a while," Reece comments after a moment, turning his head to look at me for a brief moment.

I smile a little sadly, "I know. I missed our daily drive to school."

He hums softly, moving the hand closest to me to rest in between us while he keeps the other hand on the wheel. "Me too."

A new song comes on the radio and I grin when I hear the familiar first chord of the electric guitar, letting me know which song it is. I reach out with my free hand and turn the sound up, my knee automatically starting to bounce up and down to the beat of She Looks So Perfect by 5 Seconds of Summer.

When the first verse starts, I sing along, nodding my head to the beat. I catch Reece glancing at me more than a few times with a smile stuck on his face. I turn to him with a grin when the beat drops and the chorus starts.

"You look so perfect standing there

In my American Apparel underwear

And I know now, that I'm so down"

I lean towards him while singing, trying to coax him into singing with me.

"Your lipstick stain is a work of art

I got your name tattooed in an arrow heart

And I know now, that I'm so down"

I nod my head along, dancing in my seat. When the next verse starts, I lean even closer to Reece. "Come on! I know you know the words!" Soon, the chorus comes around again and I start dancing in my seat more.

"You look so perfect standing there

In my American Apparel underwear"

I move my face really close to his, staring into the side of his head. I can tell he's trying his best to hold back a grin.

"And I know now, that I'm so down

I made a mix-tape straight out of '94

I've got your ripped skinny jeans lying on the floor

And I know now, that I'm so down"

I pout at him, "Why won't you sing?"

He shakes his head, "I'd rather just listen to you sing, Sunshine. I like hearing your voice."

I ignore the blush that tints my cheeks. I see that we have stopped at a red light and thank whoever is up there for having such good timing. I reach out with one hand and gently turn his head so that he's looking at me while I sing the bridge. I keep my hand on his jaw as I do so.

"You look so perfect standing there

In my American Apparel underwear

And I know now, that I'm so down"

I notice him staring at my lips, but I push that thought away, knowing he's probably just watching me sing.

"Your lipstick stain is a work of art

I got your name tattooed in an arrow heart

And I know now, that I'm so down"

The beat drops again and I move my hand from his face so that I can dance around in my seat again as I sing the last chorus.

"You look so perfect standing there

In my American Apparel underwear

And I know now, that I'm so down

Your lipstick stain is a work of art

I got your name tattooed in an arrow heart

And I know now, that I'm so down"

The song finishes and another song follows it. This one I don't know that well, so I turn the sound back down a little so the song fades into the background.

I look back over to Reece and see that he's still just staring at me. I laugh softly, tucking some of my hair behind my ear, "Why are you staring at me?"

"Has anyone ever told you that you look beautiful when you sing?" He asks instead of replying.

My face heats up with a blush, "No..."

He smiles slightly, "Well that's why I'm staring at you. Because sometimes I really find it hard to believe that someone can actually be so gorgeous."

How is that traffic light still red?

My face only gets more red. I pull my knees up to my chest, ducking my head down in an attempt to hide the wide grin that has spread across my face. Does he know how much his words affect me?

Before either of us can say another word, the light turns green and Reece looks in front of him again, driving forward. All too soon, we arrive at my school. Reece pulls into a parking space and turns off the car, but neither of us move.

I turn to look at Reece, "I'll only be gone a few hours."

He frowns slightly, staring out the window at the other students, "I can't believe these people get to see you more often than I do."

I chuckle, "Reece, I see your face more than anyone else's."

He turns to me, "What do you mean? Sunshine, we live thousands of miles apart."

I roll my eyes, "For a start, we FaceTime at least twice a day, every day. And we call each other even more often. Plus," I pause, grabbing my phone from between us. I turn it off and then on again, showing him the lock screen, "It's your face I see every time I turn my phone on."

I have just recently changed my lock screen. It used to be one of us at Homecoming, but I think I like this photo better.

He chuckles softly, digging his own phone out of his pocket and turning it on to show me his lock screen. My heart warms.