Color Blind
Copyright© 2026 by Evie Olivia Niven
Chapter 6: Winter
Xandri shook snow from her hair to no avail. It was coming down fairly hard. I can’t believe it’s snowing already, she thought, scowling. It’s still November! She’d been planning on going out and taking pictures for her latest assignment, but she wouldn’t be doing that today. I suppose I can find someplace inside, she thought, opening the door of her car and dropping her back in the backseat. I’ll have to use my flash, though.
“Hey, Xandri! Wait up!”
Startled, Xandri turned. She saw Alanna running towards her, struggling slightly on the powdery, sticky snow. Her long brown hair waved behind her like a banner, and even the dim winter sunlight put honey streaks amid the cinnamon color. Why is it that every female associated in some way or another with the Wolfe family is prettier than me? Xandri wondered, sighing. And they’re all nice, too, so it’s like you can’t even dislike them for being pretty! Not that she ever would, because Alanna and Sada, and even Alanna’s mother, were good people.
“You didn’t come to Thanksgiving,” Alanna admonished when she reached Xandri’s side. “I was hoping you’d come.”
Xandri shrugged. “I uh ... well, that’s really a family thing. I didn’t want to intrude.”
“Oh, Xandri!” Alanna rolled her eyes. “Well, tonight is Family Night. Come and have dinner with us.”
“But I’m not family!” Xandri protested.
Alanna laughed. “You don’t have to be. I bring Bea sometimes, and Alastair always brings Sada. I won’t take no for an answer, so you might as well give in.”
Xandri sighed. Alanna was stubborn, but so was she. If she argued, they might well be here awhile. She nodded once, and Alanna yipped, skipping off to get her car. I guess I’m stuck with it, then, Xandri thought, sighing. She got in her car and followed Alanna’s. It wasn’t that she couldn’t find her way to the Wolfe house, because she probably could ... only after getting lost for awhile. She wasn’t very good with directions, at least when she was driving, and it had taken her while to get anywhere without getting lost.
Alanna’s house was warm and cozy, a pleasant contrast to the chill outside. Xandri timidly handed her coat to Gabriel when he offered to take it from her. Delicious smells wafted from the kitchen. “I haven’t had a real home-cooked meal in ages,” she thought, peeking into the kitchen. Aislinn, Alanna’s mother, was just pulling a tray out of the oven. Steam rose off fresh, yummy-looking rolls. Xandri’s stomach rumbled loudly; she’d had breakfast but had skipped out on lunch.
“Hello, Xandri,” Aislinn said, pausing briefly to flash her a smile. “Want to help Alanna set the table?”
“Aw, ma,” Alanna groaned. “I hate setting the table!”
Xandri grinned. “I’ll help. I don’t mind ... I haven’t had a family to set the table for...”
Aislinn and Alanna glanced at her. Both of them wore expressions of pity. Xandri felt her cheeks heat. “I don’t really want them to feel sorry for me,” she thought, taking a stack of plates from Alanna. But ... it’s nice to meet people who are so caring. She found it really easy to feel at home with them. Even Gabriel was easy to talk to. In fact, the only one who isn’t easy to talk to is Quinn,” Xandri thought. And I’d think it was because I’m attracted to him, but he hardly talks to anyone.
Except Sada. She got the feeling that he had no problem talking to Sada. And there was really no reason that should make her feel jealous. But it does,” Xandri thought, scowling. Which is just silly, because I don’t know him very well. It would be nice to spend more time talking with him. She knew it would probably be hard to get him to talk about himself, though. Can’t blame a girl for being curious,” Xandri thought.
“Ah, Quinn, there you are! You’re late!”
Despite herself, Xandri turned slowly. Quinn stood in the doorway, brushing snowflakes from his hair. “I like him,” she thought, taking a handful of silverware from Alanna. “A lot of guys I’ve met have been loud and obnoxious, like Andre, but he isn’t. It was hard not to find that appealing.” Xandri didn’t find too many people she actually liked. Even though she had friends, people like Janice, Cindy, and Trina really didn’t have too many likable qualities.
“It’s really coming down out there,” Quinn said quietly, from much closer than she’d thought he was. “I didn’t know we were having company tonight...”
“I invited her,” Alanna said, shooting her brother a look. “Xandri is my friend, after all.”
Xandri glanced sideways. Quinn just shrugged and left the kitchen, rather than respond. “He’s so cold,” she thought, frowning. Maybe I should just forget it. How could she even be friends with him if he just ignored her? Except that he hadn’t ignored her a couple of weeks ago. Xandri’s cheeks heated when she remembered waking up in his arms. Quinn had offered her no explanation, though, leaving her confused and distressed.
If there was one thing Quinn hadn’t been expecting, it was to find Xandri at his family’s house. When he walked in, there she was, helping Alanna set the table. She turned and he caught the faint glimmer of something in her dark blue eyes. “Happiness?” he’d wondered. “Is she ... happy to see me?” The thought left him feeling odd. Quinn didn’t really know how to react to Xandri, especially after the night she’d stayed over his place. He wasn’t used to women making him feel out of sorts; even Sada didn’t quite have this effect on him.
He watched her covertly as they ate. Conversation was always active at the table on family night, and his parents were making Xandri a big part of it. They asked her questions about her past; well, his mother did at least. Quinn’s mother had never had a problem sticking her nose where it didn’t belong. Xandri answered every question, but he noticed that she really wanted to focus on eating. She’s so thin, he thought, remembering how she’d felt when he’d held her. I bet she’s got a tight money situation.
“Mom,” Quinn said, interrupting Xandri and drawing stares from his whole family. “I think Xandri might like a moment to enjoy your cooking...”
“Oh!” Aislinn exclaimed, smiling sheepishly. “I’m sorry, Xandri. Eat, please.”
“It’s ... it’s not a problem,” Xandri stammered. “I don’t mind...”
“You need to eat,” Quinn said, once more drawing looks from his family. “I’m sure it’s difficult living on your own, but you’re too thin.”
Now they were all staring at him, including Xandri. She was bright red, as well. Quinn sat back and pulled apart a dinner roll, feeling rather pleased with himself when his mother began demanding that Xandri come over for dinner more often. Despite her embarrassed stammering, he could tell that it pleased her. When she glanced at him, there was a slight smile on her lips.
After dinner, Quinn sat in the living room with the rest of the family. Xandri, Sada, and Aislinn were sitting on the living room floor, looking through old photo albums. Alanna and Alastair sat on the couch, both of them doing homework. Gabriel was simply watching, an amused expression on his face. Quinn did much the same, except that he had a sketchpad on his lap. He sketched the scene of the three women flipping through photo albums, but his main focus was Xandri.
“Look how cute!” Xandri cooed, laughing. “Awww ... Alastair, you were so adorable!”
“I still am,” Alastair said, not even looking up from his homework. “Just ask Sada.”
“Adorable isn’t the word I’d use,” Sada murmured, grinning at Xandri.
Xandri laughed. What is it about her? Quinn wondered, chewing on the end of his pencil. There’s just something inspiring about her. Every little detail stuck out in his mind. Even the way a few strands of wayward hair fell across her cheek. He liked watching them, actually.
“I think those cookies are done,” Aislinn said, standing up. “You girls want to help me?”
“Sure,” Sada said, grinning. “Come on, Xandri.”
Damn, Quinn thought, as his subjects left the room. Well, at least there are cookies. He could smell them now. His mother always made the best cookies. They didn’t have to wait long, not more than fifteen minutes, before his mother, Sada, and Xandri came back into the room. Aislinn held a plate of cookies, and Sada and Xandri carried seven glasses of milk between the two of them.
“Looks like we’re going to have a sleepover,” Aislinn said, as she set the plate of cookies down on the coffee table. “That snow is coming down way too hard. There will be no driving tonight.”
“Oh ... but ... but I couldn’t...” Xandri protested, looking worried.
“Nonsense!” Aislinn said, shaking her head. “We have plenty of room.”
“She can use mine,” Quinn said softly. Everyone turned to stare at him, and he bit back a sigh. “I don’t sleep much anyway. Why should she have to sleep on the couch when there’s a bed available?”
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