We all sat down at the table for dinner. The whole time I couldn’t stop thinking about what went on in the bedroom. I wanted dinner to be over, I wanted us not to go driving around later to look at Christmas lights, I just wanted to get her alone again. Am I being greedy for wanting her all to myself now? Honestly, who the hell cares if I was?

“I’m stuffed!” I said and sat back in my chair.

“Oh come on, I know you have more room. You’re never stuffed.” Jimmy told me and shoved a spoonful of corn in his mouth.

“Naa, I need to save room for desert later tonight.” I said with a small smile.

“What’s for desert?” Brian asked.

“Well, I don’t know what you guys are having but I’m having…” I started to say before Shannon elbowed me. “Ouch… what was that for? I was just going to say that I was going to eat pie later.”

“Yeah sure you were.” She said and gave me an evil glare.

“Ok, I mean if you don’t want me to eat your pie then just tell me and I’ll just eat come cookies and milk or something.” I said with a laugh.

She just looked at me. I was testing her to see if she’d crack. It wasn’t working though. I guess I’d have to work harder then.

“Is everyone finished?” She asked.

“I defiantly am.” Matt said leaning back in his chair and patting his stomach. Shannon got up and started to clear the table. Brian and Jimmy helped her.

“When do you guys want to drive around?” She asked us.

“As soon as possible!” I told her.

“Why in such a rush?” Jimmy asked me. “Do you have a hot date tonight or something?”

“In fact yes I do.” I said and got up.

“Oh yeah? Who is she?” Matt asked.

“You’ll find out sooner or later.” I told them.

“What the fuck is up with everyone keeping secrets about who they like? First Shannon now it’s you.” Matt said and looked at me.

“He’s got a point there.” Zacky said.

“Wait a second…” Matt said and stood up. “Are you… are you two?” Neither of us said anything.

“Ohhhh shit.” Brian said and laughed a bit. “He’s gonna get it now.”

“No he’s not! You’re not going to touch him, none of you are you got that?” Shannon said standing in front of Matt.

“So it’s true then? I’m right?” Matt asked.

“Yes. And it was my choice. I want to be with him. And I don’t want any of you to hate him, beat the shit out of him or any of that ok?” She said.

Matt didn’t say anything; instead he just walked away and went in his bedroom. Shannon turned around and looked at me.

“You, you are lucky that I don’t kick your ass myself.” She told me and walked out of the kitchen and to Matt’s room.

“Ohhhh short shit and Shannon, it’s like gnome love.” Jimmy said and laughed.

“When the fuck did this happen?” Zacky asked.

“Just today.” I said folding my arms across my chest and leaning against the counter.

I didn’t want anyone to know about us yet. She was probably mad at me now or something. Fuck Johnny. FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK.

SHANNON’S POV:

I knocked on Matt’s door and waiting for him to answer. After a minute of knocking and him not answering I just walked in. He was lying on his bed with his arms behind his head. I went over and sat next to him.

“Are you mad at me?” I asked him.

“No, I’m not mad at you.” He told me.

“Are you mad at Johnny then?” I asked.

“No!” He said.

“Then why are you being all pouty in your bedroom now?” I asked.

“I don’t know. I don’t want you to get hurt. And if he hurts you there’s going to be trouble. Not only with me, but with the other guys as well. And I don’t want that shit to happen. Johnny’s my best friend, my brother, you’re my best friend, my sister and if you two ever broke up and had hard feeling against each other I’m not going to choose sides you know. I can’t. I refuse to lose either of my best friends over this.” He told me.

“Matt, don’t worry about it ok? I’d never ask you to choose sides because I know how you feel about that. I like him, I really do. And I want to be with him. I want you to be happy for me, that I’m finally with someone that will treat me good.” I said and laid next to him and put my head on his chest.

“I am… I am happy for you. You deserve to be happy hun.” He told me.

We were quiet for a few minutes. I didn’t want any of them to be upset about Johnny and I being together. But Matt took it harder I guess, he always did.

“Oh… look at the ring he got me.” I said and held out my hand.

“Wow, that is something.” He said taking my hand and looking at the ring closely.

“I really like him Matt, a lot.” I told him.

“I know, and he’s liked you for a while now too.” He said and let go of my hand.

“It’s not going to be awkward at all now is it?” I asked.

“Naa, it’s not going to be at all.” He stated.

“Good. Now let’s go get some cookies and head out to see the lights.” I said and kissed his cheek before I stood up.

We headed for the kitchen. The guys haven’t moved from their seats and Johnny was leaning against the counter. Matt stood there looking at Johnny.

“Look man, I’m sorry… I didn’t mean to…” Johnny began to say. Matt walked over and put Johnny in a head lock.

“If you hurt her, in any way… I will be forced to break every bone in your little body. Do you understand me?” Matt asked.

“Ok, ok I promise man. Damn.” Johnny said and pushed him away.

“I’m just fuckin’ with you short shit. I’m happy for you.” Matt said and pulled him in for a hug.

“What the fuck? When I said that I had sex with her you chased me around the house. You find out that short shit and Shannon are together and you’re happy for them? Zacky said biting into a cookie.

“What can I say? I expected that to come from you. But with him, I never thought he’d grow the balls to tell her he had a thing for her.” Matt said and grabbed a few cookies for himself.
“Let’s go, get ready so we can drive around.”

“Yeah, let’s get going I got a date tonight.” Johnny said and headed to the living room.

“This is so not fair!” Zacky said following behind the other guys.

“Why is it not fair? Not like you were going to get with her.” Brian said putting on his coat.

“You don’t know that.” Zacky said.

“Drop it already alright.” Matt said grabbing his car keys.

I put on my coat and shoes and grabbed a blanket and followed Matt while the rest of the guys threw their stuff on as well.

“I don’t even want to do this!” Zacky said following behind me.

“Stop being a fuckin Grinch man.” Jimmy told Zacky.

Jimmy, Johnny and I say in the back seat while Matt, Zacky and Brian shoved together in the front seat.

“”I don’t see why I have to be shoved in the middle.” Zacky said folding his arms across his chest.

“You’re just lucky I guess.” Brian said putting his arm around Zacky’s shoulder.

“I mean if anything, short shit should be the one in the middle since he’s the height of a 12 year old.” Zacky said

“Fuck you man I am not.” Johnny said and smacked him upside the head.

“If you’re going to bitch the whole time then you can just stay here.” Matt said looking at him.

“Fine, let me out.” Zacky said unbuckling his seat belt.

“Psych. You’re not going anywhere!” Matt laughed and took off driving.

I cuddled up to Johnny and covered us with a blanket as he wrapped his arm around me. I knew he guys hated that we were out, driving around to look at Christmas lights, they could be home playing their new video games or something. But instead they are out here at 8:00 at night just because I wanted to see the lights. And that meant a lot to me.

“Thank you guys.” I said to them.

“For what?” Jimmy asked.

“For an amazing Christmas. Today has been great.” I told them.

“It’s great having you back home finally.” Brian said and looked over his shoulder at me.

“It is great being back.” I told him with a smile.

It got quiet in the car as we drove around. I knew I was always safe with these guys and I loved that feeling. And now being with Johnny, one of my best friends, it seemed like everything was finally falling into place… right where they should have been all along.
We drove around for a while, none of the guys complained the whole time. Even Zacky who really didn’t want to go in the beginning was starting to enjoy it all. We stopped a few times to get out and take some pictures, only to piles in the car again and drive some more. We got back home around 9:30, the guys didn’t waist a second going into the house and cutting into the pies that I made.

“Damn, you guys are acting like you haven’t eaten in days.” I said as I reached the kitchen.

“This pie is so damn good!” Matt said through a mouthful.

“”I’m glad you like it.” I said as I cut myself a piece and sat by Johnny.

“So… now that you’re officially living here, does this mean we will get pie all the time?” Zacky asked.

“I don’t know… it all depends.” I told him.

“Fine, you don’t love me anyways.” He said pouting his lips out.

“Ohhh shut up, you know I love you.” I told him and threw a spoonful of pie at him. It hit him in the face and he didn’t seem to pleased about it either.

“What the fuck? You’re wasting pie here.” He said and wiped his face off.

Just as Zacky was about to get up to wash his face the lights went out.

“Nice work, look what you did Zacky.” Brian said and went to the backroom to check on the electrical box. He flipped a few switches and the power wouldn’t turn back on.

“Well… looks like a power outage.” He said finding his way back to the kitchen. “I know there are some candles around here somewhere.”

“I’ll go start a fire in the fireplace.” Matt said and went to the living room.

I reached over and grabbed Johnny’s hand and gave it a squeeze. This is one thing I didn’t like, power outages. No heat, now phones… no nothing. Plus I wasn’t all to fond of the dark either.

“It’s ok babe, I gotcha.” Johnny said as he put his arm around me and pulled me closer to him.

“We won’t let the boogeyman get you.” Jimmy told me.

Brian came back with a few lit candles and placed them on the table.

“There, how romantic is this?” He said and sat back down.

“I feel so close to you guys.” Jimmy said pretending to cry.

“Break out the chocolates, silk sheets and champagne. We’re getting all fancy now.” Zacky said.

“Fire’s lit.” Matt told us as he walked in and sat back down at the table. “Probably gonna be the only heat in the house till the power comes back on.”

“So now what?” Brian asked.

“I don’t know about you guys but I’m going to bed!” Zacky said and stood up.

“Goodnight Zacky, love you.” I told him.

“Night babe, love you too.” He told me.

Zacky went in his room and went to bed as the rest of us went in the living room where it was warmer. I curled up next to Johnny on the couch, trying to get warm. He wrapped a blanket around us and pulled me closer to him.

“So I guess no date night tonight?” Johnny asked me.

“Nooo, I’m sorry babe.” I told him, putting one of my hand up the front of his shirt and onto his stomach.

“It’s ok, there’s always tomorrow.” He told me and kissed the side of my head.

“Anyone sleeping out here tonight?” Jimmy asked.

“Yeah, I think I will.” I told him. “It’s probably freezing in my room anyways.”

“We can bring out that blowup mattress and someone can sleep on that, then someone can take the fold out couch and the rest will have to sleep on a bunch of blankets.” Brian told us.

“That’s fine with me.” Matt said and got up to get the mattress and some blankets.

“You guys can have the couch since you’re already all comfy on it.” Brian said.

“Thanks already planned on it anyways.” Johnny said with a smile.

Matt came back out with everything and the guys helped him set it up. This felt oddly familiar… just like when we were younger and I crashed at Matt’s house once in a while.

“Goodnight guys, love you.” I told them

“Love you too.” Brian, Jimmy and Matt said in unison which made me laugh a bit.

“Goodnight Johnny.” I whispered and reached up and kissed his lips.

“Night baby.” He whispered.

It took me a while to fall asleep. It was different falling asleep in Johnny’s arms, something I could definitely get use to though. It felt safe, just like home. I was home… finally.