Chapter 36

Kissing at the party a few weeks ago had the exact effect I expected it to have. Word travelled through the gossip mill like a wildfire. I had a plethora of people messaging me on Instagram asking if it was true, students ranging from my teammates to random people I don’t even share classes with.

I told everyone that the rumours were real, and I was truthful to whoever asked if Mackenzie and I are together. I accepted that I was going to receive rather unsavoury opinions, but I had already pulled on my big girl pants, steeled my resolve, and accepted any incoming slander with a hefty pinch of salt.

It wasn’t as bad as I expected it to be. Most people were proud of me, some turned their noses, but most people didn’t really care. They showed complete indifference and that meant more to me than any congratulations.

The soccer team were upset with me however. They were all a bit hurt that I hadn’t trusted them enough to come out to them, let alone know that two of their players were together.

It was cold getting off the bus. We took a flight from Philly to Colorado and then took a bus ride up to the mountain chateau. My ass feels like it’s gone numb, my body stiff from being constantly sat down, and my eyes exhausted from trying to stay awake. I don’t mind travelling by coach, but the plane ride here made me nervous, so much so I was gripping into Mackenzie like my life was in her hands.

I’m grateful she didn’t laugh or take the mickey out of me. I’m genuinely terrified of flying and it would’ve made me feel incredibly insecure. Instead, because she’s completely and utterly perfect, she stroked my arm with her fingertips and kissed my forehead softly every time the turbulence had the plane shaking.

I’m seriously falling for this girl.

A tiny part of me is jealous of my teammates on the Miami trip simply because the flight would’ve been shorter and I’d have been terrified for a much shorter duration.

The bus journey from the airport was actually quite pleasant. With Christmas right around the corner, the school trip being the last week before winter break, the trees and the decorations are up in everyone’s houses. The dim light of the evening has brightened the lights hanging from roofs, the lawn ornaments and the lit up nose of Rudolph created a comforting and content little glow into the windows of the bus.

I shiver as a strong gust of wind breaks through the four layers I’m wearing, my bones feeling like they’ve been stuck in a freezer for hours. I smile as my feet crunch in the snow, fresh white flakes falling from the sky in their unique little patterns and sticking to the ground. I adore this kind of weather and all the amenities that are stereotypically attached to it. The hot chocolate and the sitting by the fire wrapped up in blankets is pending. The Christmas movies and the mistletoe.

I can’t wait for the mistletoe this year, because I adore the girl I’ll be waiting for.

We walk up to the front entrance of the chalet we’ll be staying, a group of forty strong students and teachers, the warmth blasting through the front doors a welcome feat. I was beginning to lose feeling in my fingers and my breath was steaming, the small puffs escaping into the night sky like little clouds.

“Right.” The teacher running and supervising the trip, Mrs. Howarth, claps her hands as she heads the group, a couple of the less interested teachers hanging at the back. Most of the students look exhausted, myself included, so none of us are really interested in listening to what she has to say. She has a reputation for rambling, and that’s the last thing I want to hear right now. “I’m not going to keep you guys. It’s late and I can imagine you all want to get some sleep.”

Mutters of tired agreement can be heard, Mackenzie resting her chin on my shoulder as her eyes droop slightly.

“You all chose who you wanted to pair up with on this trip, so if one from each pair comes and collects your room number and key, we can all get to bed so we’re ready for the early start tomorrow. I want you all in the dining room for six o’clock in the morning so we can get you all sized up for your skis and your boards. I want you all to get as much time on the slopes as possible so if you’re late, it’s on you really. Now come on, come forward, so we can all get some sleep.”

“I’ll go and grab our key.” Mackenzie mutters tiredly in my ear, her lips quickly brushing against my cheek before she pushes off and walks towards the slight queue forming. A deep blush forms on my cheeks so I pull up my scarf to hide it. The contact made me giddy, waking up my dulled senses and making me feel far more awake. I try to calm myself as she returns, swinging our key around her finger as she grabs her luggage with her free hand. “C’mon. Let’s go get some sleep.”

I follow behind her eagerly, trying to calm the excitement building in the pit of my stomach at the thought of having a week alone with Mackenzie in a hotel room away from the knowing looks of my friends.

I try and smother the grin that blossoms on my face when she places her hand on the small of my back, warmth spreading through her fingertips and heating my skin like a wildfire. I let her guide me to our room, or suite should I say, since the hotel is a series of petite log cabins based in a semi circle around the ski rental shop and a series of small restaurants. I saw the pictures of the cabin suites online before I paid for the trip and they are gorgeous, with large living areas near log fires, two separate double bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms.

Our school has done very very well, this feels like somewhere celebrities would spend the week away from the paparazzi.

It is now a week where Mackenzie and I get to spend a week away from everyone wanting to ask questions about our relationship. The timing couldn’t be more perfect for us.

Mackenzie slots the key into our door and pushes it open, warmth instantly greeting us like a familiar hug. The suite has the fire going in the pit dug into the wall, the rest of the room protected from the flames by a small metal fire guard. Two doors break off from behind the sofa and chairs to the bedrooms, one of which we’re definitely not going to be using.

She drops our bags and kicks the door shut behind me, spinning around and wrapping her arms around my waist. Her smile, a beautiful sleepy pull of the lips, greets me before the soft velvet of her lips pressed against my throat. “Can we please go get some sleep. I might pass out standing up if I’m awake any longer.”

I lace our fingers together and pull her towards one of the bedrooms, leaving our luggage by the door in a large heap, similar to the pile of clothes we leave at the door of the bed. We were too tired to do anything other than crawl under the sheets, into each other’s arms, and drift into a comfortable silence till sleep overtook us.

~•~

I wake to the peaceful sight of snowflakes sticking to the bedroom window. Mackenzie’s strong arms are securing me to her chest, my head rising and falling with her soft and steady breaths. Frosty fingers of frozen condensation are creeping up the window panes yet I remain deliciously warm tucked into the side of my girlfriend who is dead to the world.

I take a moment to drink her in, to take note of the little changes to her physical appearance. Her blonde hair no longer sits at her shoulders, the thick golden tendrils now brushing against her chest just above her collarbones. Her bee stung lips are slightly chapped from the frigid air of the ski lodge and her freckles are now slowly fading against her paling skin, the tan of the California girl who arrived here months ago now barely visible. Mackenzie’s stray beauty marks are still prominent; I find myself tracing her skin with the pads of my fingers, relishing at the way a soft sigh of content escapes her lips before her arms tighten around me.

I let my eyes now wander around the room that I paid no notice to last night, more importantly the small clock sitting on the bedside table. It’s hands put the time at a little after five, meaning that I have woken up half an hour before the alarm Mackenzie hurriedly set last night. I decide to let her sleep more, knowing that she will be grouchier if she is woken before her alarm.

I slide out from her gentle grip and make my way into the living room. I grab both of our bags and bring them into the bedroom, rummaging through my own clothing and pulling out an outfit for the day ahead to take into the bathroom with me. Whilst Mackenzie and I are together, I still get nervous at the thought of her seeing me barely clothed. It sounds silly, she has seen me in various states of undres both at school and at our houses. I think it’s the location and the fact we’re well and truly alone that gets my skin feeling hot.

I take a quick shower, thoroughly enjoying the pressure of the water until it turns my skin a rosy pink. I dress quickly in my thermals before pulling on my salopettes and tightening the braces over my shoulders, slipping my feet into a pair of thick socks all the while trying to avoid the small puddles of water surrounding the shower.

I have been skiing before, in fact it is quite the norm in our family, hence why I have all of the gear. We have gone nearly every spring break since my brother and I were very little. I have stuck to skiing over recent years, whilst Will opted for snowboarding when he was fourteen and has stuck with that since. I have my own skiis, perks of having a rich family I suppose, but I didn’t want to bring them on the trip as it would’ve been a farce carrying everything around.

By the time I have finished brushing my teeth and french braiding my hair, Mackenzie is just about awake, her eyes groggily attempting to focus on her phone as she stops the gentle tune of her alarm. “Good morning.” I say brightly, leaning down and kissing her softly on the lips, loving the way her nose scrunches up as she grins sleepily at me.

“Good morning baby.” She mumbles, rubbing her eyes free of sleep as I try and not hyperventilate at the pet name she just called me. “Have you been awake long?”

“Not long.” I say, sitting beside her and pulling on my snow boots. The insides are warm and lined with fur that will no doubt be soaked with snow by the end of the morning. I’ll be swapping them for the rented ski boots when we get fitted, but for now they are a great choice for walking on the soft, thick snow. “Which is about the amount of time you have to get ready before we’re late for breakfast.”

Mackenzie chuckles before pushing the thick duvet from her bare legs. I leave the room to allow her time to change with no distractions, walking into the living room that I paid no notice to last night. The fire has well and truly gone out, the thick, white ash a stark contrast to the black marble of the fireplace. The room has a small TV with a sofa next to the fireplace, and a small side table kitted out with a toaster and kettle. Stuffed underneath is a small fridge, to which I find various jams and jellies; as well as milk, butter, and an assortment of complimentary chocolates in a little bowl.

All we’d need to do is steal of a loaf of bread from the dining area tonight and we can have breakfast just the two of us in the cabin tomorrow morning. The thought makes me smile stupidly.

“I’m ready.” Mackenzie emerges in a similar outfit to mine, minus the braces. Her salopettes are a bright blue and her thermal is white, as opposed to my all black ensemble. We both grab our coats and gloves before heading towards the dining area where the rest of our school is waiting to get on the slopes.

Walking through the cabin area, it’s nice being able to act like a couple and not worry about everoyne else. Mackenzie’s cold fingers are laced with my own numb ones, hidden deep in the pocket of my coat that’s stuffed full with my hat and gloves. I would like to say we slipped over in that cliche romantic way and kissed in the snow, but it didn’t happen. We made good time and we aren’t even the last to arrive, finding a plate next to the buffet style hot breakfast the hotel has put out for us. I fill my plate with the various options available on the cold continental, my eyes scanning the room to see who else is here. I notice Tina Jefferson is sitting at the back of the room with a few of her friends, her wild curls hidden underneath a bobble beanie. Some of my other classmates, including a couple of Clay’s football buddies, are spread thinly across the dining hall, most friendship groups keeping to themselves.

My brows raise in surprise at the sight of Freya and a few of her friends. I don’t know how I manage to miss her on the plane and the bus, but her wild mane of red hair is hard to miss in the near empty food hall. I look away before we make awkward eye contact. We haven’t spoken since we sort of had a heart to heart a few weeks ago at the party, and I haven’t seen much of her since Mackenzie and I came out to the whole school thatvery same night. I figured it would be a sort of sore subject since it was obvious how much she liked her, so I’ve sort of been avoiding her.

I go and find us a table by the floor to ceiling front windows, taking her plate with me as she sets off in search of a coffee machine and cutlery. I’d prefer to have a cold drink but if there is only hot drinks then a coffee will do me just fine. Mackenzie knows this; we’ve woken up next to each other enough times to know that she likes her coffee black and I like my orange juice with bits in it.

Mackenzie drops into the seat next to me and slides a milkshake my way before placing what looks like a hot chocolate my way. I admire the large mountain of whipped cream pouring over the lip of the mug, thick chocolate shavings melting through the cream. Mackenzie sits down and smiles sheepishly, placing a milkshake of her own on the table. “I noticed that you like to have a cold drink when you have your hot one, so I got both.”

I can’t help but allow a soft smile to blossom on my face, my cheeks warming at the voicing of my weird drinking habits and the subtle admission that she pays attention. Without even thinking I lean across the table and place a kiss on her lips, sitting back and watching with a rue grin at the blush that blossoms across my girlfriend’s cheeks. “Thank you.”

We sit in a comfortable silence as we wait for the rest of our class to trickle in, picking at the small breakfast we plated up for ourselves. I have a selection of cold meats and cheeses, a small yoghurt and a bowl of fresh fruit. I take a bite out of my croissant, allowing myself the small buttery delicacy despite promising myself I’d stick to my athletes diet during the winter break with the exception of the incredible Christmas dinner my mom makes every year. I don’t think I could limit myself to an athlete’s portion when I know how much cheese she puts in the macaroni, and how rich in chocolate her Yule Log is.

“Good morning.” Mrs. Howarth says as she stands from her little teacher table. “I hope you all slept well. Finish your breakfast, we’ll get yourself set up with your rentals and then we can crack on with the day. All I’m going to say is that everyone need to be at lunch for twelve o’clock at the alpine cafe halfway up the mountain and back in here at dinner for six, capiche?”

An excited chorus of agreement chimes around the food hall, quick chatter about skiis and slopes begins amongst my school. I turn to Mackenzie with a sly grin before tucking into my breakfast, occasionaly looking her way and grinning. We’re both thinking the same thing, about jow we’re not being forced into skiing lessons, and how we don’t have to ski in groups. We can simply spend the whole day together completely uninterrupted.

Completely alone.

I wash my breakfast down with the coffee and the milkshake, stealing sips of Mackenzie’s orange juice when she’s not looking, laughing at the teasingly annoyed look she sends my way. “I asked you if you wanted an orange juice of your own.”

“I didn’t want my own orange juice. I wanted some of yours.”

Mackenzie scoffs, a soft look on her face as she slides the rest of her drink my way as we finish off the rest of the food on our plates. I can’t remember the last time I had breakfast, a healthy one at that. I usually skip it and opt for extra sleep and on the rare occasion I actually remember to eat, it’s usually fast food from Benny’s or McDonald’s. Having pastries and fruits and cold meats no doubt makes my body finally feel healthy. I know full well that my eating habits would make me overweight if I didn’t spend so much time playing soccer or in the gym, hence why I have now forced myself onto an athletes diet again.

We join the queue of classmates walking over to the ski rental place across from the dining area, my body itching to get out on the slopes and spend the morning with Mackenzie. I also think this is a good opportunity to hang out with people I wouldn’t normally. I spend so much time in my little soccer clique and with Mackenzie that I don’t socialise with anyone else. I have been in the same schools as some of these people for nearly 10 years and I’ve barely spoken to them.

By the time everyone has finally got their skis or snowboards, it’s nearly 8am, which makes me glad for the early start as we’ll still have a lot of time on the slopes before we need to meet for lunch with the teachers.

I’m grateful for the thermals and my thick skiing coat because, despite a cloudless sky and bright sun, I can still feel the chill biting the tip of my nose underneath my snood. My feet meet the ground with a satisfying crunch as my boots make distinct imprints in the compact snow.

We quickly get fitted for skis before we’re finally let off the reins for the morning, but not before promising once again we will be at the mountain restaurant at twelve on the dot for a midday debrief and food funded by the school.

I send a little side grin Mackenzie’s way as we ski towards the lift, my body bursting with happiness. Looking at her smile, the way she looks so carefree with her hair sticking out from underneath a woollen hat, her eyes closed as she takes in the fresh air, how good she looks in her tight clothing; she makes me feel things I haven’t ever before. I never felt like this with Clay. This feeling makes me know that I chose the right holiday; that I chose the right person.

I’m so glad I chose her