Candy Canes

 Erin sucked gently at the candy cane, richly bathing her tongue in peppermint. She lay in the grass in her school yard, watching the clouds pass on their slow route home-wherever that was. The only thought on her mind was how she couldn’t wait to spend the winter break with Zoe, her best friend.

As if on cue, the blond leaned over Erin and flashed a too white, too perfect smile on her pouted lips. Her chilling blue eyes gazed into her friend’s green ones, how curious she was to know what the brunette was thinking.

Snow fell in soft pellets, and one touched Erin’s nose, only to be brushed away by Zoe. Zoe rubbed noses with her, smiling, and caught the other end of Erin’s candy cane in her lips. Her tongue danced on it for a moment, before she decided to take the piece and bit it off of the whole thing.

Crunching it in her mouth, she attempted to smile. “What’s a cute girl out here doing without a jacket?” She touched her wrist slightly to the brunette’s forehead. “You’ll catch a cold out here, Erin.”

“I’ll be fin.” "The last word came out wrong, and was supposed to be ‘fine’ but trying to talk around her candy cane, it mixed it up. “I’ll go inside soon.”

“Little Miss Erin Walker thinks she can’t fall ill from snow.” Zoe teased, and took another piece of her friend’s candy cane in her mouth-this time allowing their lips to touch- “It’s going to fall down faster and heavier soon. Why don’t we head inside?”

“I will, I will.” Erin rolled her eyes. “And hey will ya stop eatin’ my candy cane? Gosh, get your own.”

“Alright.” Zoe shrugged and began to dig into Erin’s bag.

“Hey! That’s not what I meant!” Erin tried to stop her, but couldn’t manage to pin the petite blond down. “Zoe…don’t you even dare.”

But she was too late, and her friend was already licking hungrily at the candy cane. She had gone all day without eating, and sharing a candy cane with her best friend seemed like a good way to start ending the day. Though, the sun didn’t help, hiding behind the clouds, and neither of them knew the time till it lay dark.

“We should head home.” Zoe insisted. “I’ll drive this time.”

Erin shook her head, sprinkling soft, powdery snow onto Zoe’s face-which lay beside her, cheek resting against hers. She always loved Zoe that close, keeping her warm and happy in the cold and she loved Zoe, that’s all she knew.

“You want another candy cane?” Erin started to say, but Zoe cut her off by taking out the candy cane in her mouth and kissed her-truly kissed her. “Wow…” She sucked in a breath as the blond pulled away, smiling from ear to ear.

Their lungs eventually felt the chill of the evening and both agreed to hang out in the car until they were ready to leave. Zoe turned on the car heater, and they snuggled close in front of the vent. They held hands, rubbing them together to rid of the aching numbness which bit at their fingertips.

Zoe snuck a candy cane from Erin’s pocket, and unwrapped it. Erin’s head immediately snapped up at the sound, and she met eyes with Zoe. Zoe broke off the curved end, and stuffed it in her pocket, uncovering the rest; they each took an end in their mouth.

The first bright star blazed white over the ink black sky. But neither cared, and Erin had Zoe on her lap, half asleep with the warmth of her friend keeping her all but staying awake. She wanted to ask Zoe something, but she could find the words, unable to really think at all in the half dream state she was in.

“Z-Zoe…” She mumbled.

“Yeah?” Zoe opened her eyes at the sound of her voice and stared into hers.

“What are we doing during the break?” She smiled shyly.

“Eatin’ candy canes and sipping on good ol’ apple cider and hot chocolate.” Zoe tried not to yawn, but it came anyway.

“I hope Mom won’t freak when she knows I’m staying at your place for a week.” Erin yawned along-partly not wanting Zoe to feel alone on it and partly for she was getting exhausted herself.

“Batteries gunna die if we don’t getcha home.” Zoe forced herself off Erin’s lap and stuck the keys in the ignition, smiling as the car purred to life. “Ah, there we are.” She stroked the dashboard. “My baby missed me.”

Erin giggled. “Yeah, I did.” "The joke sounded funnier in her head and she immediately started blushing and feeling really dorky.

But Zoe wasn’t offended at all, and took Erin’s hand as she backed out of the deserted school driving lot. Usually it was full during the day, but the two loved to mingle in the grounds until their little bodies couldn’t take much more of the day and quit on them.

Erin brushed her fingers lightly over Zoe’s knuckles and smiled, feeling more awake. “When should we tell Mom?”

Zoe let out an amused chuckle. “Tell her what, Erin?”

Maybe she doesn’t feel it too. Perhaps this is just another game? Erin sighed to herself, and leaned back down into the fabric covering over the seat she was in. She rubbed at her eyes, giving her an excuse to shake her head and buy time. “Never mind. I guess I was thinking different wave patterns than you.” "Which rarely occurred between the two?

Zoe pulled over to look at her friend’s face in the dark. “Erin, what’s wrong? Is it me? Did I do something?”

Erin instinctively pulled her half eaten candy cane into her mouth. She didn’t want to say something she’d regret later, and the candy was soothing the lie she so wanted to say, but couldn’t quite get it out.

But sadly, the blond gently took it from her lips, and her fingers gently caressed the brunette’s sticky lips. “Erin, please don’t hide away from me. C’mon, tell me. I pulled over so we can talk.”

Erin met eyes with her for a moment, and then had to pull them away to stop the awkwardness that seemed to itch at her skin. I have to do it. No point in never trying. She swallowed the lump in her throat, and took a deep breath. Squeezing Zoe’s hand, it gave her some reassurance. “Zoe…are we more than just friends? Or is this another one of your games?”

Zoe climbed onto her confused friend’s lap and stroked her cheek. “Well we’ve always been great friends, and it seems we’ve shared a little more than what normal friends normally would do…” She too struggled with words. Her eyes met Erin’s. “What do you think us as?”

Erin felt her cheeks tingle, and she bit at her lips, gnawing at it for some time. “I’m not all sure anymore, Zoe. You keep sending me mixed signals. I don’t know my right from lefts anymore.”

“Oh.” Zoe’s brow furrowed in understanding and disappointment upon herself. “I’m sorry, Erin. I do love you, very much, but I’m afraid I’m pushing you too far sometimes and retreat back into my shell. I don’t want to bring you into something you can’t cope with.”

Erin felt her heart slow down on its race track. “I love you too, Zoe, and that’s what I wanted to know…if we were going to tell Mom about, y’know, ‘us’?”

“If there is an ‘us’ then yes.” Zoe kissed tenderly at each one of Erin’s fingertips. “But for now, let’s just enjoy the holidays with our candy canes and hot chocolate.”

“Don’t forget the little marsh mellows.” Erin smirked at her as Zoe climbed back into the driver’s seat. “Big ones just won’t do.”

“This is gunna be one loooong winter break.” Zoe pulled back onto the road way and raced for home.

Yes, a very, very long one. Erin sighed in her head, agreeing mentally with Zoe, who was caught in her own little bubble. She leaned over, and pecked Zoe’s neck, and leaned her head on her shoulder.

She dug her paws into Zoe’s pocket, hoping to stay warm and close, and stopped when her fingers brushed the wrapper of a candy cane. She drew her hand out, retrieving four different colored and flavored candy canes. She gave Zoe a crooked smile, and could see that Zoe wasn’t all too tuned with the bubble she was in earlier, now focused more on Erin’s eyes.

“You little rascal.” Erin giggled. “I was wondering where all my candy was disappearing off to.”

Zoe blushed. “I’m guilty, but at least I’m still cute.”

“Guess this means I’ll just have to punish you.” Erin winked and squeezed Zoe’s hand.

Zoe faked a gasp and threw her lips quickly on Erin’s cheek. “Oh no. Please, anything but that. I wouldn’t be able to last very long.”

“Sorry, Ma’m, but don’t do the crime if ya can’t face the crime.” Erin giggled.

“You’d make a nice cop.” Zoe flattered her, though trying her best to keep her eyes on the road.

“My life goals are more far ranged than that.” Erin shrugged herself under Zoe’s arm.

“Well then tell me. We have a long ride home.” Zoe smiled. “Tell me everything.”  

Reviews

[Scoxander]

Very realistic indeed, I for one wish I could write like that:p, excellent story btw

[Ace D Portgas]

Aww cram...Is there more to it. Cause I'd like to look at it. Also you get very detailed with the candy cane if you know what I mean.

You painted a picture in my head, and I loved the dialouge/interaction between Erin and Zoe. This could make for a good book

Also it is something different, the chemistry between Zoe and Erin...Keep it up

[Dark Angel ~]

This could be like a novel! :D Loves it!!! :DDDDDD

[Wandering Violet]

Love it! Well written, very realistic. Could read the rest of the book, if you wanted to write it :-)