The Christmas Party

A Car Ride Together With You

"Excuse me," Taehyung complained when Jennie settled in the passenger seat. "What are you doing?"

"Sitting," Jennie responded.

"That's my seat."

"Interesting, I don't see your name on the seat."

"I always ride shotgun."

"Bummer."

"Jisoo!" Taehyung demanded, rounding on me while I loaded up the hatchback. He stomped to the back of the car and threw his finger accusingly at Jennie. "Do something about this!"

"What are you two fighting about?" I asked, lifting a suitcase.

"She's in the passenger seat!" I threw Taehyung a confused look and peaked my head around the back to look at Jennie, who smiled and waved in the rearview mirror. "That's my seat! I always ride shotgun!"

I looked between the siblings. "You both are too old to be fighting over shotgun. Figure it out yourselves. I'm staying out of this one."

"Sorry, Taehyung," Jennie said, a devious grin on her face.

"You can't ride shotgun!" Taehyung demanded, storming back to her side.

"I'm older, I got here first, and my girlfriend is driving so," Jennie said, drawing out the "o" sound. "I think I win."

I finished loading the car and hopped in the driver's seat. Meanwhile Taehyung stood outside the car, mouth agape in disbelief. I looked at him and shrugged. "I don't know what you expect me to say: it's Jennie, she always gets her way. Plus she's kind of my girlfriend now."

"I am your best friend-of three years! She is your girlfriend of three days!"

I looked at Jennie who raised her eyebrows at me, daring me to ask her to move. "I think Jennie's riding shotgun."

"This is nepotism."

Jennie looked at her brother. "I don't think you know what the word means."

"Yes I do!" Taehyung climbed into the backseat and slammed the door. "I won't forget this."

Jennie and I exchanged a look. She inclined her head to me and her eyebrows did a quick little jump up her forehead, which said 'see I told you he was dramatic.' I rolled my eyes in which I conveyed my meaning: 'I know he is.'

"Do you want to stop for a coffee?" I asked Taehyung, hoping to appease him.

"Yes I do!" He scooted to the middle seat and leaned forward so he was between us. "And you're buying."

"Is this what it's going to be like having kids?" I asked Taehyung.

"No. Under no circumstances will my children act like him and so help them if they do."

I looked at Jennie, eyes wide, and I feared for our future children already. God help them if they ever put a toe out of line in front of Jennie.

After the three hour drive down the interstate consisting of several rest stops so Taehyung could pee after chugging his coffee, singing along to our favorite Christmas songs, then playing car games, we arrived at my parent's house. We pulled up the idyllic little house at the end of the block, the yard and roof covered in snow. My parents had their Christmas decorations that would give Clark Griswold a run for his money strung along the property. A giant inflatable Frosty was on the porch, lazily waving at us in the gentle breeze.

"Home sweet home," I said and hopped out of the car.

"Have you told your parents we're dating?" Jennie asked as we walked up the steps to the front door.