Page 37 of HER SISTER

"Thank god finals are over," Mya concluded as she rolled her suitcase into the living room.

I nodded a few times as I sipped on my coffee, "I can't wait to get the fuck out of LA," I said, knowing I was actually excited to head back home for the next few weeks.

Mya walked over to the Keurig, "Amen to that," she said, pouring herself a cup of coffee, "Are you sure you don't want to join us all at Big Bear?"

And while it sounded fun to head to a colder part of California for a weekend with all our friends, Mya did say her sister would be there—along with her family.

Apparently, her family spends holidays there at their other house.

Which immediately helped me conclude that her family wasn't just comfortable—they definitely had to be rich.

My family was more in the comfortable tax bracket, we had a nice house on the beach—we took yearly vacations, and we never really had to worry about money.

It sucks that I'll be missing out on our friend group traditions, but I also don't think I'm ready to see a certain someone.

Even after the deep talk I had with Arielle a couple of weeks ago, I'm still not fully there.

But I definitely feel better, and I'm not avoiding my emotions anymore so that's good.

"No-no, it's okay. My flights today anyways," I said as I sipped more of my coffee.

Mya tilted her head, "Today?" she said, looking over to the glass balcony doors.

And I didn't hesitate to follow her line of sight, taking in the rainy city.

"I'm not so sure that any planes are flying out today—we even got a fog advisory today," Mya explained as she sat her mug of coffee down, "But we're all driving up to Big Bear, so we'll be fine—did you check on your flight?"

I nodded as I pulled out my phone, "Yeah just last night..." I quickly trailed off when I noticed that the flight now read canceled, "Well, never mind," I sighed out.

Mya hummed happily, "It's a sign—come to Big Bear with us, please," she practically begged.

I pursed my lips as I clicked through the Delta app, "No, I'm going to try and reschedule—ugh, why isn't it letting me?" I questioned, clearly irritated as I clicked around.

"Probably because the fog warning is until further notice—we're also having a few more storms in the next coming days," Mya explained as she rinsed her coffee cup out.

"So... I may not make it home for Christmas?" I said, suddenly feeling really upset as I started texting my mom.

Mya pursed her lips slightly, "I'm not sure, Ana—but you're more than welcome to spend Christmas with my family. You can just stay when our friends leave on Sunday," she offered, and while that sounded fun, there was still one issue with that.

And it involved her sister.

No way am I about to spend Christmas with their family.

That sounds so weird.

Well, not for Mya since she's like a sister to me.

Again, this all has to do with her sister.

"I think I'll just stay here until it reschedules," I determined as I texted my mom who insisted for me to stay put until it was safe to fly.

I can't believe I'm about to miss Christmas this year.

Mya shook her head, "Absolutely not—it's the holidays, you don't deserve to be on campus alone," she said, clearly not giving me any room to say no.

I looked up from my phone, meeting Mya's stern glare, and before I could say anything else, my phone was ringing.

Saved by the bell—quite literally.

"Hey, mom," I said, looking at Mya whose brows suddenly raised.

"Hey love bug—don't tell me you're really trying to fly right now?" my mom's familiar voice flooded through my phone speakers, and I could practically see her familiar face in my head—her usual dark eyes and dark hair that was typically pulled out of her face.

I shrugged to myself, even if she couldn't see me, "I can't miss Christmas," I said.

I could hear my mom sigh, "Yes you can. We can plan for a time when you can fly over—maybe sometime in January?" she suggested.

I frowned to myself, "But it won't feel the same in January—"

"I offered for her to spend Christmas with my family Mrs. Cato!" Mya suddenly said.

I gave Mya a narrowed look, "Sorry, that was—"

"Mya? The best friend you told us about at Thanksgiving?" My mom cut me short.

I nodded as Mya flashed me a smile, "Yeah, and right now she's insistent on me spending Christmas with her family in Big Bear," I explained.

"Big Bear?" I suddenly heard my dad's voice, "The snowy winters there are amazing—you should go," he encouraged me, clearly taking over the phone from my mom.

I hadn't actually seen snow before if I'm being honest.

Not when we lived in Florida my whole life.

"Yes, and then you could fly down another time," My mom said, clearly concerned about my safety.

I let out a long sigh, "Fine," I said, feeling as if it wasn't even up for debate anymore.

I mean, even if my parents went for the idea of me waiting for a flight out—the universe seems to be counteracting my plans with Mother Nature.

Mya suddenly jumped up and down—clearly happy that I was spending Christmas with her.

"Okay love bug, we'll text you—and call you on Christmas," my mom said.

I nodded, "Okay—love you."

"We love you more," my dad suddenly said.

And just like that, the call was ended.

Mya's smile grew, "I love your parents," she determined.

I jokingly rolled my eyes, "Of course you do—they agreed with you," I retorted.

Mya's smile only grew, "Because I was clearly right," she pointed out.

I shook my head as I rolled my suitcase back into my room.

"Where are you going?" Mya asked as she trailed behind me.

I stopped by my bed, "Packing for colder weather—I was under the impression that I would be in sixty-degree weather for Christmas."

Mya hummed, "Yeah, Big Bear gets pretty cold—it's already snowing there too," she said as I unzipped my suitcase.

I let out a deep sigh, "Guess I should pack more coats," I determined as I began taking things out of the suitcase.

Mya nodded a few times, "And don't forget fuzzy socks or slippers—the floors can get cold," she suggested as she began looking through my closet to help me pack.

"You know, I've never seen snow before," I said as I began grabbing sweatpants—and lots of them.

Mya's eyes widened, "What? No way?" she said in disbelief.

I nodded a few times, "We never vacationed anywhere with snow, so this will officially be my first time," I admitted.

And a part of me felt excited, but then the other part knew I'd have to see her sister—and I didn't know how to feel about that.

"We definitely have to go sledding then," Mya concluded as she folded the clothes she picked out for me.

I nodded, knowing that sledding sounded fun amongst other things that I knew we'd be doing.

Maybe Christmas would still be fun.

Maybe all of this won't be as awkward as I'm expecting.

At least that's what I hoped for as I continued to pack up my winter clothes with Mya.

Soon we were zipping my suitcase back up and heading downstairs where our friends were waiting for us.

And as we packed our luggage's into the SUV, I anticipated the moment when Mili would finally arrive with her own suitcases.