Note: This an entry for the "WINTER HOLIDAY CONTEST 2018" so please be sure to vote. All characters in this story are at least 18 years old and is a work of fiction. Enjoy!
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Naomi stood at there in the hallway, staring at the apartment door with the number 6 on it. She was trembling slightly, and it was only then she realized it was no longer from the cold. She took a shaky breath then went to knock but stopped, her hands only inches from the door before drawing it back. She shook her head in frustration and winced a bit, holding her shoulder. She banged it up during soccer a few months back and on cold days like this one, it really bothered.
'Why is this so hard,' she thought to herself. 'It's not like he's a stranger, you've known him for years!'
This might've been true, but the issue wasn't that she didn't know him. It's that she hadn't seen him in a long time. Naomi and Alec were best friends back in high school. She was a freshman and he was a junior but their being stand partners in orchestra bridged that gap quickly. For two years they played together in concerts, recitals, musicals. They formed a bond that Naomi thought was inseparable. Hell, they even went to prom together. People thought they were dating at multiple points, and they were almost voted cutest couple Alec's senior year. Truth be told, Naomi always had a massive crush on Alec that only got stronger and stronger the longer they knew each other, but Alec being older and her being as shy as she was always held her back.
Eventually, Alec went off to college and Naomi and her family moved to Boston, making it difficult for them to stay in contact despite their best efforts. Truth be told, Naomi had concluded that Alec was just a part of her past. Now here she was, a senior in college, with no idea where he was or what he was up to. That is, she didn't up until a week ago when he messaged her out of the blue. Naomi had only been home for winter break a couple days when she saw the message from Alec, informing her that he had gotten a job in Boston and wanted to see if Naomi was free to come by and catch up.
Naomi had spent all day staring at the message, all kinds of questions coming into her mind. How long had he been here? Why message her now? What was this feeling spreading through her body. It was a mix of nerves, excitement, and... arousal. That last part scared her the most. Did she still have feelings for Alec?
Eventually she agreed, and here she was a week later, trying to work up the nerve to knock on his door. Why was she so damn scared? What's the big deal? It's not like Alec was a complete stranger... except he kinda was. She hadn't seen him years and for him to just message her out of the blue... she wasn't complaining, but it was definitely unnerving.
'Alright,' she thought to herself. 'Time to man... woman up!' She took a deep breath and knocked three times on his door. She then stood there completely shocked at what she did. A couple seconds passed and she began to panic. She thought maybe she had time to run away when suddenly the door opened and her jaw dropped.
There stood Alec, standing there with nothing but a towel wrapped around his waist. But this wasn't the Alec she had known. He was much taller, at least 6 ft. now, and had some stubble on his chin. His dark curly hair was much shorter and had a few grays that made him look older and much more mature than in high school. And then there was his body... god his body. His dark skin was like polished ebony, with muscles that definitely didn't exist 6 years ago.
She was so stunned by his body that she didn't even hear him say her name for like 10 seconds straight until he just shouted:
"NAOMI!" Naomi jumped a bit and shook her head, then realized what happened and started to blush. Alec laughed a little then stepped aside. "Would you like to step inside?"
Naomi simply nodded before walking inside. She was immediately hit with the smell of cinnamon and caramel, a combination that made her feel warm on the inside. She couldn't help but smile as she looked around living room. It was completely decorated from head to toe, with lights hung up along the walls, a small but beautiful christmas tree in the corner that looked like something out of a Hallmark card, and a large and well decorated wreath on the wall, and so much other stuff. It made the room look full, but not overpacked. Welcoming and lively.
Naomi turned around but Alec was gone. She blinked then turned again and saw him walking through a door that she assumed was to the bedroom. She shrugged and took off her jacket and scarf and set them on the couch. She then slipped out of her boots before glancing over at the back of the door and seeing a mirror. She decided to take the moment to fix her hair. She also blushed a little, realizing that her sweater was tightly hugging her 34D boobs. Her leggings had the same effect on her ass, really accentuating the curves and leaving her wondering why she chose to wear what she wore?
As she studied herself, she didn't realize that Alec had come out of the room and was watching her. Alec was in no rush to say anything, deciding to enjoy the show for a bit. After a couple minutes, Naomi turned and saw him standing there watching him. Her eyes widened and her face turned even pinker.
"H-how long were you..." she managed to stammer out before Alec burst out laughing.
"A couple minutes" he said while still laughing. He walked over and pulled her into a hug, having put on a black thermal and sweatpants. Naomi immediately relaxed as he wrapped his arm around her and she hugged him back. She felt like she was 16 again, warm and safe in the embrace of her best friend's arms. And yet while he felt familiar, there were subtle differences. He felt much more firm, his grip on her was much stronger. He felt... well more like a man. He also smelt different. He had just showered, but there was also a slight musk underneath the body wash that made her tingle a bit.
After hugging for what felt like forever, Alec finally pulled back, leaving Naomi suddenly feeling cold and a bit sad. Alec smiled as he studied her and held her hands.
"Wow. You look amazing." He lifted his hand up and twirled her a bit, taking all of her in. Naomi couldn't help but giggle as she spun then came back around to look into his brown eyes
"Yeah I could say the same about you!" Naomi reached out and gripped his arm. "Someone's been working out." Alec just rolled his eyes playfully then pulled back before walking into the kitchen.
"Make yourself comfortable," he called from the kitchen. "I'm gonna fix us something to drink."
Naomi raised an eyebrow as she sat on the couch, then something clicked in her head. "Salted caramel hot chocolate?!" she called out excitedly. This was her favorite drink to have during the holidays. And it was made even better with...
"And double chocolate chunk cookies, cut into Christmas trees, with green frosting." Alec came back into the living room carrying a tray with a plate of cookies and two mugs of hot chocolate. He set it down on the table before sitting down next to Naomi on the couch. Naomi squealed in excitement as Alec handed her a mug. She blew on it a little then took a sip, letting out a sigh of joy as she felt the warmth wash over her. She looked over and saw Alec sitting back against the couch, watching her with a small smile on his face.
"What?" Naomi started to blush, suddenly feeling nervous.
"Nothing. It's just..." Alec trailed off as he looked down at the floor. "I missed you."
Naomi's eyes widened and she suddenly felt a well of love and joy for Alec. For the first time since she got there, she saw the boy that was her best friend all those years ago. Instinctively, she scooted down the couch and snuggled up to Alec. Alec looked up and smiled as he put an arm around her and held her close while she rested her head on his shoulder. Any nervousness either of the two had was immediately gone and soon it was like old times.
As the two snuggled, ate cookies, and sipped their cocoa, they recounted what they had been up to the last few years. Naomi told him about how after Alec graduated, her family had moved to Boston. She finished up her last two years of high school before getting into Brandeis University on a soccer scholarship and was majoring in music education. She was currently living with some of the girls from her team and supported herself by working as a barista at the Starbucks just off campus.
Alec explained how after he graduated, he did an internship in England before coming back and attending Columbia's 5 year program to get his Master's in Chemical Engineering. During that time, he worked as a lab assistant for a pharmaceutical company and when he graduated, he got a job in their Boston office. He'd been living here ever since.
Naomi sat intently as she listened to his story. She smiled as he recounted his time in New York; how he would waste away his Sundays playing chess in Central Park; all of the different foods and people; the time he got to see Hamilton on Broadway with a friend's family. Naomi noticed he shifted a little as he said this part, and she was curious as to who this "friend" was.
"So um... did you have any girlfriends?" Naomi was a bit tentative as she asked this, unsure as to whether or not she wanted the answer. Alec raised an eyebrow and smirked as he tucked a hair behind Naomi's ear.