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Jake

“ J ust to be clear, I’m still sitting shotgun, right?” Ollie asks me for the third time this morning.

“Yes, Oliver you can sit shotgun instead of my girlfriend. I promise she’s not replacing you.” I pat him on the shoulder in mock comfort as I continue to load our bags into my trunk.

“Excellent, because if you decided to switch up on me, I would’ve had to call you out for breaking bro code. Actually, I would’ve called you out for breaking up our brotherhood and ratted you out to the rest of the team.”

“Not sure including the team would work out in your favor. The guys know how annoying it is to sit next to you on car rides.”

“I am not annoying. I have the best road trip snacks,” he protests.

“Yeah, and the worst-smelling road trip farts. Seriously man, you should get that checked out.”

“Ha ha, very funny. ”

“I know. I’m a regular comedian. It’s why Ellie loves me so much.”

As if on cue, Eliana walks out of Hockey House with Josie in tow. I jog up the porch steps to help Josie, who’s struggling to juggle all her bags.

“What do you have in there Jos’?” Eliana laughs as she hands me a bright pink backpack.

“Well I had to bring all my CDs and photocards since Sienna is going to be there. She told me the next time she sees me we can trade merch and have karaoke sessions. We’ll be gone for five days, so I had to be prepared for anything.”

“Wow you crammed all of that in one bag? That’s pretty impressive—“ I start.

“SIENNA!” Josie squeals as she runs towards my younger sister, who’s coming out of my parent’s car. When Sienna was younger she would always complain about not having a younger sister. Now that Josie is around, she finally gets her wish. And it’s a role I know she’s taken very seriously.

“Josie-Posie, I'm so happy to see you! I have all of ITZY’s songs queued up for our road trip playlist!” Sienna leads Josie down the stairs and over to my parents and Charlotte so she can meet the whole family.

I take Eliana’s bags off her shoulder and set them down before wrapping an arm around her waist and bringing her into my chest. “Sienna has been talking to me about karaoke nights all week, babe. My whole family’s over the moon that you’re both joining us.

” I place a small kiss on her forehead, relishing the way she tightens our hug.

“That makes me feel better about crashing your trip. I think I just have lingering anxiety from the semester that I need to expel.” She gives me a sheepish smile.

“Well it’s a good thing I have tons of rest and relaxation planned for us on this trip. ”

I managed to make it through the end of the semester as painlessly as possible, largely thanks to Eliana’s help.

While final grades for PSYCH101 hadn’t been released yet, I felt fairly confident that I didn’t fuck up the exam.

Between helping me prepare for my exam, studying for her own, and still working in the lab, I knew Eliana was exhausted and ready to relax.

Despite the chaos that happens on any family trip, I’m determined to make this the best Christmas for her and Josie.

“Do you need my help with planning anything?”

“Nope, I’m all set. I don’t want you to have to worry about anything on this trip. Including bringing your wish list to life.” In true form, Eliana emailed me a bulleted, color-coded, Christmas-themed to-do list earlier this week. She’d be thrilled to know I’ve been plotting away ever since.

“Music to my ears.”

We stand there long enough for my whole family to come over and tease us. My mom and sisters get all their annoying but endearing comments in before we decide to hit the road.

“Is it alright if I drive up with you guys?” Sienna asks.

“Yup. You can sit in the back with Josie and Eliana.” I respond, unlocking my car.

Ollie shakes his head and playfully smacks my shoulder. “C’mon man. I think your girlfriend should sit in the front, don’t you?”

My eyebrows scrunch together. “I thought you wanted to sit next to me?”

“Jake, I love you and all, but we live together. I think I can manage not sitting right next to you.” He grabs the door of the back seat and holds it open. “Josie, Sienna, after you.”

My mouth hangs open as Ollie sits next to them, then shuts the door in my face. Wow. So much for bro code.

“You okay?” Eliana asks .

“Yeah, I just…Goalies are weird.” We both get settled in the car before getting on the I-89 towards Vermont.

Sienna and Josie are quick to que up their favorite songs and require Ollie to learn the different dance moves.

I reach over and thread my fingers with Eliana’s as she chews on her lip, likely overthinking about coming on this trip. “Hey, look at me.”

She gives me a sheepish smile, realizing I caught her in an anxious spiral.

“I’m happy you’re here, and I’m happy Josie is here. So is my entire family. The only thing you need to be worried about is whether we’re building a snowman or star gazing first.”

I get an eye roll in response, but I can see the tension slowly leaving her shoulders. She takes a quick glance at the back seat, finding Sienna and Josie deep in conversation, before she fully relaxes, leaning her head against the window as she falls asleep.