Los Angeles rarely sees anything other than blazingly hot temperatures and rain. It’s come to my understanding that the only snow we’ll ever see would be in the form of Nuclear winter, and the thought of that is both bizarre and just plain dumb. It’s funny to me though, regardless of the temperature, come December the palm trees are still strewn with Christmas lights and store fronts are sprayed with synthetic window fogger and lined with soft fluffy ‘snow.’ This is the closest thing to a white Christmas I will ever see.

I love the holiday season, really. My mom gets heartily into it, as any stranger or friend can see by our house alone. The day after Thanksgiving our house is peppered and whirring with more red and green Frosty, Rudolph, and Mr. Claus himself than you could bat an eye at. We’re a big family so I understand what it’s like for hectic holidays and these last few years I’ve actually been receiving some semblance of an income, I’ve been able to help my mom with presents and decorating. It really puts me in the holiday mood.

While Christmas is something of a spectacular occurrence, it always pains me to know that people will be alone, without family, watching “It’s a Wonderful Life” and sulking. That’s what brings me to Shane’s on this ‘chilly’ day in Los Angeles. It’s so chilly I actually wore long sleeves and a jacket. Someone along the east coast or even just slightly to the north of me would scoff at this temperature being decisively ‘chilly’ and proudly gallop around in their shorts and t-shirts. What can I say? I get cold easily.

Shane opens the door and a sly grin stretches across her face. She leans against the doorframe, wearing a beaten camouflage t-shirt and a pair of ripped jeans. These are not designer made or store bought, they’re just Levi’s that Shane’s been hoarding for years and years, and honestly she makes them look fabulous. Her toes are bare and she wriggles them in response to the temperature. I rock on my heels once and tuck my hands into the back pockets of my jeans. I’m glad I’m wearing a jacket, I’m always afraid she can see right through me.