Ho Ho Hopefully

__________________________________________

December first I'm in a foreign state
I'm running late, I'm all alone
Wishing I was home with you, baby

The cold December air nipped at Stephen’s skin as he made his way to the entrance of the gas station. Their van had broken down about a quarter of a mile in the opposite direction, stupid Brian couldn’t drive to save his life. So, after pushing for thirty minutes, they had found a less than welcoming gas station, in the middle of who knows where, to fill up at. After grabbing a KitKat, he payed the man for thirty dollars worth of gas, and the candy, and returned to the cool winds outside. It was only December first, but with Christmas nearly three weeks away, he was already looking forward to the holiday. He missed her more than anything - he and Elena had been the best of friends for years and she still didn’t know that he was in love with her. After reentering the van, he unwrapped the KitKat bar (it was her favorite) and let his mind drift off to where he wished that he was, at home with her.

She's got a way of making things okay
And when she's not around
When she's not around I'm going crazy

Stephen thought back to three years before - his girlfriend of a year, Mandy, had cheated on him with a varsity football player. He had locked himself in his room, refusing to go anywhere or see anyone. But when Elena had crawled through his window with movies, popcorn, and a huge smile, Steven had let his walls disappear. No matter the situation, Elena could bring a smile to his face. If only she were here now, he thought, as he looked out of the window homesick and ready to see his Elena.

We like to talk about the plans we make
And things we say when we're together
I hope for better weather this year

‘Don’t forget that we’re having Christmas festivities at my house this year, and try to hook up with some random girl instead’ - Elena had texted on the thirteenth. Stephen laughed to himself, before sending her a reply.

‘As if I’d try to hook up with a random girl when you’re around ;)’ - Stephen had replied.

They had always joked like this when they were together, and even apart. He sighed as he climbed out of the van to make his way into the venue they were playing tonight, this cold weather only made him miss her more. Couldn’t mother nature take that into consideration? Maybe she’ll make up for it next year...

We go together like the winter and this sweater
And she makes me feel, she makes me feel alive inside
And when I look into her eyes I see the blue and green like christmas lights
Like christmas lights, oh what a sight

Stephen had always known that he and Elena were meant to be together. Hell, everyone knew that they were. She made him feel like no one ever had, she made him feel alive, and when he looked into her eyes, he was captivated. She was absolutely perfect. He couldn’t wait to see her shining face, two more days and they would be home.

She says I've got a way of making everything okay
She's not alone, she's not alone and never will be
Ho ho hopefully this year I have you alone

The instant they had arrived, Elena’s arms were thrown around Stephen’s neck. She loved her best friend in ways that most people would never know. After she had hugged everyone, she had pulled Stephen outside to the back yard. They had gone to the old swing set where they had spent so much time together as kids. As they swung, she turned to him, “Ya know Stephen, when you’re around, I feel less alone. When you’re around everything feels right”. He pulled her swing toward him then, and with eyes locked and noses touching, he kissed her.

Ho ho hopefully this holiday will make us believe that
We're exactly where we're supposed to be
And we're ho ho hoping that we all come back
And as a matter of fact I know
I'm exactly where I need to be
With you by this christmas tree
Together just you and me
Together by the christmas tree

Surprisingly, the kiss hadn’t been awkward. It had been exactly what they both had wanted. And as they sat inside with the rest of the band and their families, they felt like everything had perfectly fallen into place. Elena sat snuggled up in Stephen’s lap, where she had wanted to be for so long, and together they were happy. At that moment, miles didn’t mean a thing. In that moment they knew they were exactly where they needed to be, sitting together by the Christmas tree.