Page 2 of Single Girl Rules: HoHoHo

“We’re not fucking pilgrims.”

“Why would we fuck pilgrims?” asked Ash.

“I meant that we’re not pilgrims, with fucking added for emphasis.But now that we’re on the topic, I’m still pissed that I didn’t get to fuck anyof those frat guys at that Thanksgiving costume party.”

“I didn’t stop you. I wasn’t even there.”

“Exactly! I was serious when I vowed not to get any dickuntil you lose your virginity.”

“I never asked you to do that.”

“Too bad. The fate of my sex life rests in your hands. If youdon’t have sex, neither will I.” When I made the vow, I’d hoped it would force Ashto get out of our dorm and find a nice big dick to sit on. But it had totallybackfired and ruined the last month of my life. It was very hard to keep myhands to myself when I had two hot bodyguards following my every move. I couldn’tkeep going like this. But I had a feeling this was all going to be fixed soon… “Comeon,” I said. “The food is probably getting cold.”

I grabbed her wrist and pulled her down the hall.

“Where are we going?” she asked as we passed the door whereour food deliveries usually arrived.

“The tracking said he’s at the common room.”

“Weird,” said Ash.

It was weird. Because it wasn’t true. I just needed an excuseto get her to walk down to the common room so she could find her surprise.

“Do you smell that?” asked Ash.

I sniffed the air. It was faint, but the smell was unmistakable.“It smells like freshly baked cookies.”

Ash nodded and then put her hand to her ear. “And is thatChristmas music?”

“I think so,” I said.

Ash started to look excited.

“Whoa,” I said, pointing to the floor. “Are those…”

“Hoof prints,” whispered Ash. She stopped and grabbed my arm.“Chastity. I think we’re about to find S…Sa…Sa…Santa!” She was so freaking excitedthat she could hardly get the word out. “I knew that Santa used deserted dormsas his local bases of operation!”

“Holy shit. I think you might be right. Should we follow thehoof prints?”

Ash never heard my question though, because she was already halfwaydown the hall.

I sprinted and caught up to her in the stairwell. The Christmasmusic was at full blast now. And the cookies smelled amazing.

It really felt like I was running down the stairs on Christmasmorning. I half expected there to be a pink Lamborghini waiting for me at thebottom. But alas, my eighth birthday was not to be repeated.

Somehow, though, Ash’s excitement made this feel even moremagical. Especially when we passed a window and saw that it had snowed a wholefoot this evening. And the snow was still coming down. She pressed her nose tothe window for a second, taking in the view of the winter wonderland that ourcampus had suddenly become. And then she was back to following the hoof prints.

She threw open the doors of the common room and gasped.

“Oh my God,” she whispered.

And I could see why. It looked like we’d stepped into Santa’sworkshop. Christmas lights, wrapped presents, three fully trimmed trees, giantcandy canes, a full spread of Christmas cookies… Teddybear had even dressed uplike Will Ferrell inElf. The only thing that felt off was Ghostie wearinghis usual crisp suit and totally botching the last-minute construction of agingerbread house. But he looked damn good doing it.

“Merry Christmas,” I said to Ash.

“You did this?” she asked. Tears were forming in the cornersof her eyes.

“It was my idea. But Teddybear and Ghostie made it happen.”

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