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It's cold.
Really fucking cold.
So fucking cold, in fact, that Mia's contemplating just throwing herself into the fire at this point.
She doesn't, as much as she wishes she could. Mostly because Harmony's sitting beside her.
Mia won't lie, she might be a little obsessed with Harmony. She can't help it. Honestly, she's surprised there's anyone who isn't. Harmony is… well.. perfect. Mia understands entirely why Harry's so protective of her. She'd be too if Harmony was hers.
She isn't, Mia reminds herself. She isn't mine.
Mia sighs, leaning back in the lawn chair. The coat she brought isn't nearly enough to protect her from the cold. She should've known better, but it's not like she expected to sit around in the snow for hours.
She'd dropped by to drop of Christmas gifts, and get whatever horribly wrapped present Harry had for Cracker. (It turned out to be a toy shaped like a cigarette. For… some reason.) She was supposed to leave right after, but Perry then suggested she stay for dinner, and when she said no Harmony did that little pout she does. And, well, that was all she needed.
She's pretty sure it's pity. After all, she nearly died last Christmas. Most of them had. And it's not like she has any other friends to spend the holiday with. She hadn't been planning to actually celebrate at all.
Still, she stayed for dinner. Then dinner turned into desert, which turned into this.
Mia wants to guess she's been sitting here for about 3 hours, watching the three of them argue about.. god knows what. She tried to follow along, she really did. But at some point Perry and Harry started shouting and, as embarrassing as it is, it kind of freaked her.
Not that she's going to tell them that, so instead she's been distracting herself. At first she'd watched Cracker. But now he's sleeping on her legs—Mia doesn't know how he's able to just lie around in this weather—which is, frankly, quite boring to watch.
Now she's just been staring at Harmony.
The firelight is illuminating her. God, she's gorgeous. She's wearing a red sweater—Harry's sweater, he gave it to her sometime before they moved outside—and one of those headbands with the raindeer antlers. The bells on it ring every time she laughs at the boys.
Mia has her own pair of antlers on, Harry put them on her. Harmony said they look cute, which is honestly the only reason she hasn't taken them off yet.
This crush is starting to get annoying, really. She's gotta do something about it. Harmony's happy with Harry, happy just being friends. She doesn't need Mia to ruin that.
She pets Cracker's ear, sighing again. They should really get going. It's late. Knowing the three of them, they're going to suggest Mia stay the night, and she wouldn't be able to say no.
Mia leans forward a little, as much as she can with the dog taking over her lap. "Hey," she nudges Harmony to get her attention. "I think I'm gonna head out."
"Noo," Harmony pouts. "Why?"
"It's getting late." It's a flimsy excuse, now that Mia says it aloud.
"It's the holidays, I think you're allowed to stay up late." Harmony chuckles. Mia loves her laugh. "Besides, we have a guest room, so you don't have to worry about driving home. We can set something up for Cracker too."
"No, I really think I should be heading back. Thanks though." Mia smiles. Then she shakes Cracker awake. "C'mon, buddy, we're leaving."
"Oh, okay." Mia can hear the pout in Harmony's voice. She makes sure not to look at her, else she'll probably abandon what little will she has to leave immediately. "Drive safe, Merry Christmas."
"Yeah, Merry Christmas."