Sprinkle All The Way (Evergreen Lake: Under the Mistletoe)

Chapter 12

twelve

NOAH

My mood seems to be cheerier than normal as the lights on Main Street turn on. It might have to do with the fact I’ve seen Violet every day for the past week, and now I’m headed to see her again. Even though I saw her a few hours ago, there’s a skip in my step as I head to the festival. I told her I would meet her there, since it didn’t make sense for her to backtrack to the shop.

My stomach’s in knots, and it gets worse the closer I get. I can’t tell if I’m nervous about being at a town event, or if I’m excited to see Violet again. She brings back so many feelings from high school that have me feeling young and invincible again. So invincible that I could take on the town gossips. I don’t care if they boycott me. I’ll bake cookies for me and Violet, and feed them to her like grapes, unless she doesn’t actually want that from me.

I’m starting to realize I’ve never wanted anything more than her, and I don’t care what happened eight years ago. Ginger would probably hit me over the head for saying that. I’m sure she’s got a letter titled “Don’t be an idiot” somewhere in the box that I haven’t found yet .

I hear Violet before I see her, her warm laugh echoing over the chatter of everyone else. Weaving around several groups my eyes finally find her. Her white coat is as big as ever, with her matching hat and gloves to go with it. She’s adorable and I want nothing more than to scoop her up and kiss her.

Her family surrounds her, and I forgot how much Iris and Violet look alike. Iris has aged well, and if I didn’t know they were seven years apart I would’ve guessed they were twins. My mom told me Iris’s husband is nice, and I can tell she’s right by the way he gazes at Iris. He’s holding who I assume is their daughter in his arms since she’s clearly a mini version of Iris with her matching hair and eyes; even her nose is the same. Violet’s parents’ backs are to me, and my stomach twists more. Ever since she told me they knew I used to sneak into her room I’ve dreaded seeing them again.

She spots me before I can spiral too far, her red lips growing wider as her hand waves wildly in the air.

I’m returning her wave when her parents turn around. I thought I’d be met with glares, but they both seem happy to see me.

“Everyone remembers Noah, right?” she asks her family, reaching out and pulling me to her side when I get close enough.

“Nice to see everyone again,” I say, focusing on not tripping over my feet from the force of her pull. My stomach has only gotten worse, and having her invade my space isn’t helping. But no part of me wants her further away from me, so I squeeze her hand in mine.

“Hey man, I’m Jacob. And this is Ava,” Iris’s husband speaks up, reaching out his free hand to shake mine, introducing me to the two people in this group I’ve never met.

“He doesn’t look dangerous,” Ava chimes in and I see her mom’s eyes go wide as my cheeks heat .

“Ava, do you want to go meet Santa?” Jacob is quick to distract her, and I’m grateful for it.

“Santa!” Ava shouts, wriggling out of her dad’s arms and running off into the crowd. He shoots me an apologetic glance before running after her.

“Let’s go too. It was nice to see you again, Noah,” Violet’s mom says, pushing her husband toward the direction Ava and Jacob fled, Iris close behind them.

“Sorry about that,” Violet apologizes for Ava once we’re alone.

“It’s fine, at least she didn’t hear a worse rumor.” I shrug.

“Do you want to go get hot chocolate?” She points behind her toward the food stands. “Maybe browse and shop? We have about an hour until the lighting.”

“Lead the way.” I step to the side, dropping her hand and gesturing for her to go ahead of me.

Instead, she grabs my hand and pulls me into the crowd and my heart grows three times bigger. Weaving around families and couples she makes a beeline for the hot chocolate stand. It reminds me of the way she hurried from class to class in school. She prided herself on never being late, thanks to her fast pace and weaving skills. Then, there was me, who waited until there was one minute left to get to class to actually start moving. I thought I was being cool, but I was being stupid. Being late got me my fair share of detentions.

She orders two hot chocolates with extra marshmallows, and I have to drop her hand to reach for my wallet. The second I’m done paying and my wallet is secured she takes my hand in hers and I have to stop myself from smiling like a giddy teenager.

“It’s so cold out, these should help warm me up,” she says, squeezing my hand. I don’t question why she’s so cold when her gloves are fuzzy and look plenty warm, because I don’t want to risk her dropping my hand.

Collecting our drinks the smell of cocoa instantly fills the air. I can’t remember the last time I had hot chocolate. Violet’s blowing on hers with those mesmerizing red lips, that bright coloring having become one of my favorite new things about her. I don’t know when she decided to start wearing it all the time, but I’m not complaining.

We walk around with our drinks, and luckily she doesn’t burn herself or spill it. She points out all her favorite stands, talking about how she could buy more presents for everyone. She’s so animated when she talks about her family, and I wonder why she never moved home.

It’s not long before her family joins us again. Ava is also carrying a cup of hot chocolate and a stuffed reindeer with her name on the collar. I assumed when they returned Violet would distance herself from me. Instead, she pulls me closer to her and hangs onto my arm. Her nose and cheeks are almost as red as her lipstick, so I pull her under my arm and rub her arm to warm her up. She rests her head on my shoulder and I try to refrain from cheering.

“Mom, when does the tree turn on? I’m tired,” Ava groans through a sip of her hot chocolate.

“Should be soon, why don’t we go over and get a good spot?” Iris tells her.

The tree is large, but not Rockefeller Center large. The local tree farm, Winter Farms, donates one every year. It’s decorated to the max with garland and ornaments. I can see the unlit lights strung around the branches going all the way to the star on top.

“So we wait until they plug it in?” I whisper into Violet’s ear, not wanting Ava to hear me.

“I mean, yes, but once they’re on, the Christmas season has officially started,” she whispers back, putting a finger over her red lips to tell me to shut up.

Before I can reply, the head of the committee, Holly, is stepping on a platform with a microphone. She runs the Chamber of Commerce and is in charge of the festival this year, though I have a feeling she isn’t the one who denied my application for a stand. With the three town gossips all on the committee I bet Holly didn’t see the application before they tossed it in the trash.

She takes her time thanking everyone for being there and how community and forgiveness are everything this time of year. A sentiment that makes me roll my eyes because it seems like forgiveness is the one thing I’ll never get from this town.

The crowd, including Violet and her family, countdown with Holly from ten until the tree lights up. The white lights brighten the space around us, and people gasp like they’ve never seen lights on a tree before.

“Kind of anti-climatic isn’t it?” I whisper, aware it’s going to piss her off.

Right on cue, she elbows my side. “Shut up, it’s beautiful. All the lights sparkling and lighting up the festival? It’s perfectly Christmas,” she tells me.

She’s staring at the massive tree, eyes glowing with pure wonder. But I’m staring at her, those blue eyes sparkling with the reflection of the lights. “You’re right,” I say. “It’s beautiful.”