Beth

...you have to find Beth.

The party is great. You can tell before you even finish changing clothes and going into the house. Everything smells like gingerbread and peppermint. There are lights and decorations everywhere. There is a Christmas tree in every room, and the house is full of people. Your team is there, and everyone else... this is very nice.

But you just want to see Beth. You haven't seen her in a month because she went home to England, but you know she's here... you saw her at the photo shoot. You agreed to meet at this party weeks ago, and you have been looking forward to it.

You find her in Annette's house wearing a bright, green elf costume, complete with a green hat and curly-toed shoes. The dark, green tights are your favorite part. It's the cutest thing you have ever seen.

You rush to her and throw your arms around her, kissing her passionately. At first she kisses you back enthusiastically, but quickly pulls back, blushing hotly.

"Hi," you say.

"Hi," she replies, then clears her throat. "Hi, darling. Hi." Something is wrong. You let go of her, and she turns redder, glancing at two people nearby. "Er, Riley, er, this is my mum. And my sister."

Oh. You wake up, suddenly embarrased. Beth's mom and sister look a bit surprised. You... did not know that they were coming. She didn't mention it on the phone two days ago. Maybe it was a surprise for her too.

You find yourself on a couch in the midst of the party with Beth beside you, and her mom and sister, who can't take their eyes off you.

"Well, Lizzy didn't hide it, exactly," her mother, whose name is Jane, says. She's tall and pretty, with blue eyes and dark hair that's very long and spectacular. Her red sweater struggles to contain her bountiful chest. Meanwhile, Beth's sister is the same height as Beth, but with a little more meat on her, and some curves. She wears glasses and has short hair.

"I told you I was seeing a girl," Beth says tiredly. "I showed you pictures."

"I guess I just didn't believe it until now," her mother says. "Not that it's a problem, mind you..."

"Are we going to talk about my trauma?" the sister, whose name is Edith. "I just had to watch my sister snog a girl."

"That's not trauma," Beth tells her. "Trauma is sitting on a plane next to you. And this right now." She takes a long drink of wine.

"Is it difficult?" Jane asks. "Playing against each other?"

"I used to worry about that. But it's not hard to play competitively. It's only tricky when it's a situation where I might do something kind of aggressive," you explain. "I can't play as rough against Beth."

"I wish you'd play rougher," Beth jokes. Her mother looks surprised and blushes, and her sister makes a gagging noise.

It's starting to get late, and you remember that you have some Christmas presents in the car. You start to excuse yourself to go get them, but Beth grabs your sleeve.

"I'll help," she says, and follows you. You both leave the house. It's cold outside, but it's also nice. The air is crisp. Inside, it's heavy with the Christmas smells and **** and food and all the people...

"I can't stand them," Beth groans once you are alone on Annette's front porch, which is huge.

"I think they're used to you dating British guys," you tell her. "They have to adjust to it suddenly being an American girl."

"I know."

She follows you down to your car.

"This is it?" she asks. "Big TV star, team captain, and this is what you drive?"

"I like this car," you say defensively.

"Can I see the inside?" she asks.