Three days until Christmas. Still
so much to do.
I huffed
in displeasure, watching my breath swirl in the frigid air. “I hate this.”
Prajna
rolled her eyes. She deliberately nudged me in the side—now I was that much closer to the
entrance of the store. “You’re overreacting, you know. Just go in there and do
what needs to be done.”
Right.
Like anything was ever that simple for me. I never truly cared about the holidays.
The notion of the season was charming, I guess, but finding enjoyment in this
sort of thing hinged on the question of whether you liked people or not.
So how were
you supposed to feel about Christmas if people didn’t like you?
“May I remind you that this was
your idea?” I reminded her sulkily.
“May I
remind you that we’re here for your benefit?” She held up the three huge bags
hanging from each arm. “I’ve already completed my agenda. My Christmas
merriment is secure.”
“Do you
want me to help carry those?”
She held
the bags close to her chest. “Absolutely not! Some of these things are for you.
Wait, shit, forget I said that.”
I
laughed. She glared.
“I don’t
trust you not to peek!”
“Right.”
“I don’t!
Anyway, just go in and do what you need to do.”
Nervously,
I bit my nails. Praj noticed the habit instantly.
“What
are you so uneasy for?”
“I don’t know. Isn’t getting him a
girl’s number for Christmas a little… tacky?”
“How so?”
“I just
don’t think it’s… right. I just don’t.” I clasped my hands together. “’Hey,
Lyle. Good to see you again! Thanks for nearly dying for me. Know what I got
you in return? Bitches. Lots and lots of bitches! All the bitches you could
want! Bitches, bitches, bitches!’”
“You’re
being obnoxious. Lover’s Delight says—”
“Oh,
forgive me for not treating your latest erotic obsession like the word of
gospel.”
“It’s a
literary milestone!”
I gave
her a stern look. “Prajna. It’s smut.”
She gave a little gasp. “I’m going
to graciously forget you said that. Look, you’re asking for one girl’s number,
all right? Just tell her about Lyle and invite her to Alexandria’s party. If
she’s not interested, we’ll figure something else out. I don’t see the issue.”
No, she didn’t. So I told her the
truth. “It doesn’t feel like enough.” I turned away, even if that meant facing
the stinging snowy winds. I didn’t want to get emotional and ruin this shopping
trip for her. “And you know what the worst thing is? I don’t think anything
ever will.”
Prajna sighed. “Avalin, you need to
let this go.”
I scoffed.
“You can’t make this relationship
about owing. It’s been years. He’s recovered, he’s moved on.” She gently
touched my sleeve. “You should too.”
“If we just had the money—if I just had the money, I mean, I’d do
something really memorable. Like—like fly Reggie in so he could make it in time
for the holidays.” My heart tugged at the idea. “He’d be so happy. His mom too.”
Praj gave me a tender smile. “Maybe
next year.”
“Well, that doesn’t help me now.” I
smacked my head against the window, gaining a few strange looks from the staff
inside. “God, why did he have to install that sound system in my car? I will
never catch up to him at this rate—”
I stopped short as a head of blonde
hair caught my attention. It was a boy about Lyle’s height and build, walking
down the opposite sidewalk.
“He’s here,” I said.
“What?” Prajna turned. “Where?”
Lyle caught my eye—his face twisted
into the strangest expression—and then he turned and ran.
That was so bizarre. Where the hell
could he possibly be going? And the way he just looked at me?
“Stay here,” I told Prajna.
“What? But Avalin—”
“I’ll be right back!” I promised,
and took off after him.
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