No Strings Attached? // Roman Godfrey

The last day of school, before winter break started.

You weren't looking forward to it, at all. Peter had invited everyone over for a Christmas dinner at his place and because he was the only family you had left, you promised him you'd come.

Shelley had been living in the Godfrey mansion alone, with occasional check up visits from her uncle Norman, Dr. Pryce, and Roman. So Peter insisted she's come too.

Roman had politely declined. You knew exactly why. But because Shelley went, she practically forced him to go too.

But luckily that day wasn't here yet.

"So does everyone want to go ice skating after school?" Letha smiled as she sat down at the lunch table. "To celebrate the beginning of winter break!"

Alison, Peter and Shelley nodded.

"Pass." Roman stated, sipping his coffee.

Lethe pouted, "But we need you! And you car! We won't all fit in Peter's.."

"I'll drop out." You said. "Then you can all fit and Roman doesn't have to go."

Avoiding his eyes, you looked over at Letha. She sighed and pouted some more. "But it won't be nice without you two! You belong to this group, so you're coming whether you like it or not."

Roman scoffed and let our a small chuckled. "Alright, your highness. I'll go. Ali and Shell can come with me."

"Great!" Letha smiled widely. "Then Eva will go with me and Peter!"

---

"I'll stay with you." Roman said to Shelley, when everyone got they ice skates ready.

It obviously wasn't really an option for Shelley to actually do some ice skating, but she highly enjoyed watching other people do it, while she worked on some of her poetry.

So you all decided to take turns sitting with her.

Alison and Letha was already on the ice when Peter came standing next to you. "I've never done this before. Have you?"

You shrugged. "I think I have? It's been a long time though. Want me to hold your hand, puppy?"

Peter scoffed. "No."

He got on the ice, holding onto the railing of the rank and making babysteps.

You followed his lead, noticing that you were a tad bit better at keeping your balance then he was.

Peter held onto your arm when you slowly skated by him, and you kind of pulled him with you as you tried to skate towards Letha and Alison.

"Guess Romanceks aren't into ice skating that much hm?" Letha joked, making a funny face at you and Peter. She reached out her hands to Peter and pulled him next to her.

You took Alison's hand and carefully followed her around the rank.

After quite some time, Peter had discovered how to actually ice skate and had the time of his life. You, on the other hand, couldn't get it right and decided to switch with Roman to sit with Shelley.

"He's a show-off." Shelley stated as Roman skated to Letha, Peter and Alison without any effort at all.

You chuckled. "He definitely is."

"How come you.." Shelley said slowly. "You live at D's place again?"

"Oh, I uh- just figured it would be logical." You replied. "Since I'm all better, you know. I don't need any help at all anymore."

"Did you tell Roman that too?" Shelley asked, as she gave you a look.

"Why are you asking?"

She smiled a little and took a deep breath. "You know he has been sleeping at the mansion since you left. And spending his time in the mansion with me."

Shelley looked at the four friends skating and goofing around. You followed her gaze and sighed. "Shelley, you wanna tell me something or nah?"

She chuckled. "I can't, I promised!"

"I'll get you some warm apple cider right now if you tell me." You said, wiggling your eyebrows.

You knew she loved apple cider, especially during winter times, but you also knew she didn't drink it a lot, because Roman didn't want her to drink a lot of alcohol.

"I can give a hint?" She tried.

You furrowed your eyebrows. "Fair enough, you'll get a small cup then."

A few minutes later, you handed her a paper cup that was steaming and sat down next to her.

"Give me the T."

Shelley took a careful sip of her drink and smiled. "He's afraid he really hurt you, and that he's lost you."

Shelley was about to say some more, but the rest of the group was getting back from ice skating.

Letha and Peter grabbed all the skates and went putting them back.
You and Shelley got up, joining Roman and Alison by the exit door.

"Who gave you that?" Roman asked Shelley, pointing at the cup.

"It was Santa." Shelley stated. She pointed at a man that was dressed as Santa, who was just wandering around at the ice skating place.

"Shady fuck." Roman mumbled.

"Everyone ready?" Letha smiled as she opened the door.

The cafe she wanted to go to was literally next door. She opened the door and you were greeted by a joyful christmas song.

Letha immediately sang along, and so did Alison.
You looked at Peter and gestured that you were going to stay outside to smoke.

With a sigh, you lit your cigarette and took a deep drag. The smoke was even more visible due to the cold weather.

When you were halfway done smoking, the cafe door opened and you saw Roman getting out.

He sat down next to you. "Got another one? I lost mine."

"I actually don't." You replied. "But you can have this one, if you want."

You reached out your hand, the cigarette in between your middle and pointer finger.

"You sure?" He asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Yeah, you look like you need it more than I do." You jokingly said.

He took the cigarette from you and you got up to go back inside.

"Thanks, pumpkin." Roman quietly said, not knowing if you even heard him.

You gave him a small smile. "Anytime."

He shot you a quick smirk before you got back into the cafe and joined the rest for some hot chocolate.

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As always, unedited xD