Chevelle's Story

chapter 15

"I have something for you."

Abel pulled his car to a stop and twisted around, reaching into the backseat to grab something. There was some rustling, and then a few seconds later, he returned to his seat holding a box of chocolates.

"Oh my God, those are for me?" Chevelle asked, unable to wipe the smile from her lips as she looked up at him.

Abel nodded, chuckling both at Chevelle's reaction to her gift, and in disbelief of how mesmerizing her smile was. How she always smiled with her entire self—all her teeth, all her joy, and none of the caution. Smiling back at her was the only way Abel could keep his jaw from falling to ground.

"Also, this."

He brought out the hand he'd been hiding behind his back, revealing a dark green beanie with the softest wool Chevelle had ever felt in her life. He gave the gifts to Chevelle with a smile, and as she took them, she found herself moved almost to the point of tears. These were the only birthday gifts she'd received this year, but honestly, they were perfect. She didn't need much more than this.

"Wow," Chevelle said, her gratitude overflowing. "This is so sweet, thank you."

Abel smiled. "Anytime."

She put the beanie on and looked at herself in the rearview mirror, laughing when she saw the way it swallowed her entire head. It didn't look bad per se, but it was definitely a statement. She turned to Abel, trying to hold back her laughter, but as soon as their eyes met, they both burst into fits of laughter, filling the car with the melodious sound. A couple tears were shed amidst the shrieks and giggles, and finally, Chevelle had to take off the beanie so they could both catch their breath.

"I think it's kind of cute," Abel finally said, which threw them both into new fits of roaring laughter.

"Don't lie to me," Chevelle said, still giggling.

"I'm not lying," he insisted, trying his best to fight the smile tugging at his lips.

It was definitely funny seeing Chevelle in such a big beanie, but Abel honestly still thought she looked good. The green complimented her dark brown skin so beautifully. She looked like a forest in the summertime. In her smooth, glistening skin, it was like he could see every single shade of brown that ever was.

So, he may have gone a few sizes too big, sue him. Chevelle still managed to pull it off and make his palms sweat a little. At this point, he was convinced she could pull off a sack of rice if she wanted to.

"Please, I look like a cartoon character," Chevelle muttered.

"Oh shit, wait...that one from Looney Tunes?" Abel asked, a smile teasing his lips as he tried to remember the character's name.

"God, don't even say it," Chevelle begged, holding up a hand to stop him before they burst another fit of laughter.

Abel made a show of locking his lips and throwing the key out the window, and Chevelle rolled her eyes, but couldn't stop the grin from spreading across her lips.

"Regardless," she said, "thank you for this. I'm definitely going to wear it a lot. This is the softest beanie I've ever owned," she admitted. "Also, I didn't realize how cold my head would get in the winter, so good looking out. I now see why men are always wearing hats."

This was Chevelle's first winter since she'd shaved her head. During the summer, it had been lifechanging being able to feel the cool breeze on her head during a hot day. Being able to take warm showers and let the water massage her scalp directly. Sometime around October, though, things quickly changed. Once the days began to get colder, shorter, and cloudier, she could no longer step foot outside without multiple hoods on—or at the very least, some scarves. It was a little better down here in her parents' city, but where she lived, it was much colder, and so this beanie from Abel was a godsend. It was thicker and warmer than all three of the beanies she currently owned, and it was soft as fuck. So she looked a little bit like Marvin the Martian, so what?