9

It was about that time of the year. The snow was falling, the wind was blowing, there were bells being rung, there were people singing Christmas carols, people with Santa and elf's hats on, every other street you'd hear someone yelling "ho, ho, ho!"

I tightly wrap my coat around myself, as I walked through the streets, with Iris and Caitlin. We were shopping for Christmas presents, and so were Barry, Cisco and Joe, but of course, we split up. We had already finished our shopping, and were just roaming around the streets, just having, a relaxed evening.

Caitlin shouts playfully into the sky, It's only five thirty, why is it so dark?"

Iris laughs a little along with me, before we walk in Jitters and she orders us all hot chocolate.

Caitlin looks at me, "Aren't you warm?"

"Cisco made me a. serum- to. put hold on that until after tomorrow." I say quietly, knowing what Caitlin meant, and so iris couldn't hear. I didn't need her to freak out about my powers and start a blog about me also.

She gives me a sly nod, looking around at how empty it is, because usually it's pretty packed.

"Make that six hot chocolates!" Cisco calls out as he walks in, followed by Barry and Joe. I look at them, a small smile growing on my face. Barry smiles, glancing at all of us.

Iris orders them hot chocolate too, then hands everyone theirs.

I sip mine and hum at the delicious taste.

Cisco on the other hand, burns his mouth when he takes his long sip. "Ow. Who knew something this delicious. could be so dangerous."

Barry laughs quietly, one hand shoved in one of his front pockets, the other holding his drink.

Joe makes conversation with Iris, while Cisco and Caitlin talk. Which left Barry and I, awkwardly standing there, enjoying our drinks. Barry wasn't really speaking to iris much, and Iris seemed very- awkward around him? I didn't know what had happened, but I also didn't want to find out.

I lightly kick my foot back and forth, sipping my hot chocolate, and accidentally kick Barry. He looks up at me, holding back a laugh, "hey-" he kicks me back.

"Oh? Oh so this is what we're gonna do now?" I say playfully, a small laugh following, kicking him back, putting my drink down on a table, as he does the same, running my hand through my hair.

"Yes- yes I think so." He kicks me back, laughing a little.

"Only if you can catch me-" I kick him then run to the back of Jitters.

"I've been known to catch up-" He jokes and jogs after me, grabbing me by my waist, stopping me and kicks the back of my leg. I laugh along with him, kicking him back. We honestly looked like very childish adults, but, I guess that's what we were huh?

He kicks me back, us acting like this is some game with a some huge reward to the winner. As I go to kick him back, Barry swiftly takes his leg and loosely wrapping it around the leg I was about to kick him with and spins me so I'm facing him. I stop laughing, a small smile still on my face, my breath slightly hitching as I look up at him, one of his hands on my waist, and one hand circling around my wrist, making sure I didn't fall when he spun me. I could feel someone's stare on us, maybe even more than one persons stare on us. I was sure the group was looking at us.

I blink, and slowly stepping back from Barry, letting out a nervous laugh. He realizes what just happened and how awkward and close we got, and lets out a nervous laugh also. I slowly walk past him and back over to the group, grabbing my drink, Barry doing the same, and just proving myself right, Iris was behind Joe smiling like an idiot, Joe was looking at us with slight wide eyes, Cisco and Caitlin were confused as ever.

Joe is the first to speak, "You two- seem very. close." He playfully raises an eyebrow.

Cisco is the next to choke out something, "Is something going on that we all should know about?"

Both Barry and I were flustered, and in quick denial. We both went to deny it right as it's said.

"Oh we're not a two- we're just a- one- and one-" Barry says, rubbing the back of his neck, awkwardly.

"Yup- that's right- we- nope. just friends-" I sip my drink, clearing my throat lightly.

"Mhm-" Joe trailed off.

Iris speaks, "Let's all get home. We've got a long day of happiness ahead of us." She smiles at all of us.

We all give a small nod, and with that, we all went home. The night we all packed our presents and put them under the tree, all the girls sleeping in iris' room, cisco sleeping in barry's and of course, joe sleeping in his own. That night ending with a little unease, happiness, and confusion for all of us.