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White puffs danced in the air, twirling to the ground and coating the landscape around him. It was breathtaking and so full of life. So peaceful. Malcolm inhaled the fresh air and could only stand still, observing as the world around him went on. Children eagerly sinking into the snow, creating angels; families skating on the circular rink ahead;
it was all so...warm. Which was ironic, as it was currently negative fuck all degrees outside. But the liveliness of it all seeped through his bones and reached around his icy heart, and pulled.
His breath was shaky on the exhale and he blinked away the flakes on his copper lashes. Everything was so different here. There he was, standing in the middle of Boston Common park where everything seemed to be taken out of a movie, one of those magical holiday feel-good movies, and he was homesick. Thinking of Cali and its heatwaves, the Santa Ana winds, the familiar sound of skateboards on hot pavement and, of course, the utter chaos of his family.
He usually went home during the summers in between school years, but never during the holidays. He usually spent those holed up in the library, in his dorm, or volunteering at the soup kitchen- anything to keep him busy from his loneliness. The meager friends he had made went home for the holidays, coming back with Tupperware overflowing with leftovers so he could taste the love carefully kneaded into cookie dough and sprinkled into soup. It was very sweet of them to share with him and let him participate in the festivities that way - but god, it wasn't the same.
He always thought that the distance would heal, not hurt. And it some ways it had, but the truth of it was, deep down, he missed his family. The one constant in his life.
Sure, he called them often enough in his spare moments-which were few and far between-and received calls in return which never failed to make him smile, but it wasn't enough to stave off the sting of loneliness. He couldn't make it for Thanksgivings or Christmasses and he knew that the others understood- plane tickets were expensive and he could barely afford to come back during the summers (he hadn't actually been able to that past summer, his schedule crammed with summer school and work)- but he could always hear the disappointment in their voices.
He was pulled from his thoughts as Christmas carollers passed him by with another spirited rendition of "Let it Snow". He needed to get back now. If he stayed too long out without the scarf he forgot in his dorm room, he would certainly freeze. His semester had ended the day before-he was supposed to be celebrating!-and it was December 11th and Christmas was exactly fourteen days away.
He sighed and started walking to his bus stop. Once he made it back to campus, he couldn't help but feel the lack of students like plastic film on his skin. It was suddenly hard to breathe. He strolled through the square, weaved between buildings, and he found himself standing before the imposing but enchanting bricked architecture of Cabot House. It looked even more beautiful with its snow covered roof and icicle-gilded trims and edges.
He made his way inside, heading straight for the student help desk in the main entrance.
"Hey Hols," he greeted the girl behind the counter.
"Malcolm! You look absolutely frosty." The girl, Holly, greeted him warmly. They met in the Fall when Malcolm first moved into the building and instantly became friends. Holly was really rad- she was the type to get a new piercing every few months, was pre-law but openly against the big corporations, and was very concerned about the state of the environment. He aspired to be as cool and confident as she was.
He gave her a smile. "I definitely feel frosty. Went for a walk and ended up in Boston Common. It really is beautiful this time of year," he was looking at her but his gaze looked far and forlorn.
She hummed, eyebrows pinching together. They were bleached, a pale contrast against her mahogany skin and made her look that much cooler.
"Anyways," he continued, "has anything come in for me?"
She shook her head. "Sorry dude, still no mail." Had he been checking everyday? Yes... "But someone came here asking about you."
It was his turn to frown. "Someone asked about me?" Who could it have been? Maybe someone from his class looking for last minute prep for exams? "Did they say why or who they were?"
Holly shook her head. "He didn't say... but he was pretty cute!"
Malcolm rolled his eyes. "Yeah yeah... you think everyone's cute! Weren't you crushing on that girl in your pre-law class?"
She sighed. "Her name was Camilla and she was practically perfect. Too bad she was a chronic smoker, or else I think it could've really worked out."
He shook his head fondly, used to the other's antics. "Of course. Well, I have to go defrost, hopefully in a warm bath. No, a scalding bath." He shivered. "See you around!"
She waved him goodbye as he made his way to the stairs, trudging up four flights of stairs. He shedded his coat on the way up, revealing his black turtleneck and baggy jeans. He exited the stairwell, rounded the corner and took five whole steps before he noticed a figure leaning against a door at the end of the hallway. His breath hitched and he stopped dead in his tracks when he realized the person was leaning against his door and he took in the familiar features: used leather jacket, hunch of the shoulders, and messy black hair.
He restarted his pace towards his room, noticing that the other was distracted by one of those new Blackberry phones in his hand and hadn't noticed him yet. He took the time to run a hand through his icy fringe-he had grown out his bangs, since he had last seen the other-and tried to smooth down his windswept hair. He kept silent as he approached the other, until they were a few meters apart.
"Reese?" He called out, suddenly nervous.
Soft green eyes immediately fell on him, phone slipping into his jacket pocket. "Hey Mal." He looked older. Like he had matured since the last time they had seen each other. He couldn't place why exactly, though his ears were now pierced with simple silver stud earrings and his hair was no longer styled in the loose spikes of his youth, instead styled naturally and attached in a short ponytail at the nape of his neck.
"I'm sorry for not calling in advance, I know it's a bit out of the blue-" Reese didn't get to finish his sentence as the other barrelled into him, crushing him in a hug. The taller boy returned the embrace.
"You're actually here," Malcolm said, smiling.
The other chuckled. "I mean, you're always going on about how nice winter is in Boston. Thought I'd spend a few days here to see if it lives up to the hype."
Malcolm stepped back, smile waning. "Oh. Only a few days?"
Reese examined him with perceptive eyes. "Yep, and then I'm stealing you to go on a cross-country road trip and get us both home in time for Christmas."
His jaw dropped. "What the fuck, Reese- you drove here?!"
He gave him one of his easy grins. "Three thousand miles and counting." When Malcolm stayed silent, he frowned. "What's wrong? You don't already have plans for Christmas, do you?"
Malcolm shook his head frantically. "No, of course not. I... I'm just surprised that you'd go through all that trouble. For me."
Reese gave him a bewildered look. "Why wouldn't I? Malcolm, the family misses you, I miss you. If you've forgotten that, then you're an idiot."
The shorter boy laughed but tears welled in his eyes. He had missed the other's crude names and the way he could read him like an open book. He quickly wiped at his eyes, hoping to get rid of any evidence of his overwhelming emotions. "You caught me, I'm an idiot. God, I've missed you all too. I didn't think I would get so lonely here."
Leather-clad arms wrapped around him once more. "You can't get rid of us that easily. We'll always be there for you when we can, Mal. Besides, I know where you live now, so you can't truly escape."
Malcolm shook with quiet laughter. "Is that a threat?"
The other snorted, messing up his auburn hair. "It's a promise, brat." He let go of the other after a moment, making sure he wasn't crying anymore.
"Do the others know you came to get me?"
Reese shook his head. "Nah, it'll be a surprise. My Christmas gift to them, you could say." He smirked.
"Of course, how very on brand of you!"
"Duh, did you expect anything else? Anyways, do you know how long I waited for you? I'm starving! You better treat me to some good food after I've come all this way."
Malcolm dug out his key from his pocket to unlock his dorm door. "I know just the place. Hope you're in the mood for pizza."
Reese's eyes lit up, "Always in the mood for pizza. Definitely need to use the bathroom before going anywhere, though."
The other snickered, letting his brother in so he could use the bathroom. "It's just to your right, take the time you need."
He took a look at the small pile of gifts he had gotten for his family, shoved in his entryway closet and yet to be sent out. He had struggled with the thought of sending them - would his family still care? Did they want to receive gifts from someone who hadn't shown up in a year and half?
But Reese had laid some of those anxieties to rest, and now he would get to give those gifts in person. He would get to see their faces and hear the familiar chaos of home. The heaviness that had settled itself on his chest lessened at the thought and for the first time in years, he was looking forward to Christmas.