It was finally that time of the year; the time for joy and laughter to fill the air. Seasons Greetings and all that fun stuff. Christmas was literally around the corner and I haven't even gone Christmas shopping. To be fair, I was bad at Christmas shopping. If I could, I would get everyone scarves and socks but apparently that's not good enough. Inconsiderate stupid-faces.
Christmas was in two weeks and I was in the mall browsing all the stores with Sebastian. I was browsing Victoria's Secret for Riley and Carol and he followed me along. He hasn't put up a fight or resisted. He was a better shopper that I was. It's been a couple of weeks since we officially became a couple and it was great. All the problems faced before vanished. I was happy. I remember confirming it to Riley and Carol when we stayed after school to help each other out with our freshman boot camp. It got extended since Ms. Kathy flew to Arkansas to visit her ill grandma so we present it the following week we come back from winter break. It messed up our schedule planned but I was happy we were given more time to work on it. It wasn't too hard but we struggled on how to make it entertaining.
We were in a fishbowl, a cubicle located in the halls surrounded by glass. There was one for every program in their designated House. We were in the culinary fishbowl since the marketing one was taken.
Riley was coming up with a skit her group can do while Carol and I were mapping out our hand out to give to the freshman.
Carol finished telling us that her and Ethan got back together. That was when Riley cut in saying that her and Todd were still kind of friends who make out.
And that was when I blurted, "Sebastian is my boyfriend."
Carol stared at me and dropped her pencil. Riley threw her binder to the ground and started smacking her forehead. "Final-fucking-ly!" Exclaimed Riley.
"What the fuck? How the fuck? Who the fuck? Why the fuck?" Carol kept on staring.
"It happened at my aunt's Halloween party. It was unexpected but it happened."
"Grace, that was almost two weeks ago and you're just telling us?"
I shrugged. "I didn't know how to bring it up. I didn't know how you'd react."
Carol gasped. "In order for our relationship to work we have to trust each other. Grace, I would go lesbian for you. Remember that."
I nodded. "I'm really sorry you guys. From now on I'll tell you everything."
Riley cleared her throat. "Have you guys had sex yet?"
And now here I am, shopping for Christmas presents with my boyfriend. Completely normal.
"Riley looks like the type to wear these," said Sebastian holding up a very see through, white lace bra. It covered practically nothing. He wasn't wrong.
"I'm hungry," said Sebastian. "Let's go to the food court."
"I'm almost done. I have to go pay for these," I replied. He took the items from my hand and pecked my forehead.
"I'll pay for them. Let's go to the line."
"Hey, I have money. I can pay for them," I told him.
He shrugged. "I feel like I should pay for them."
I stared at him playfully. "That's sexist. I hate gender roles. You don't have to pay for them, no one is forcing you."
"It just feels odd having you pay."
"Because I'm a girl?"
"Because you're my girl."
That shut me up. For now.
We walked to the food court and Sebastian was nearly jumping with excitement. He looked like a little kid ready to open his presents on Christmas.
We opted for the Chinese food. We ordered, got our tray, and found a booth. He sat across from me and moved his food in front of him. I placed my shopping bags next to me and began eating as well.
I was chewing orange chicken when I noticed him staring at me. I smiled.
"What's wrong?" I asked him. Whenever someone stares at me, not just boys, I become self-conscious. I began to absentmindedly rub my face with a napkin.
He smiled his wicked grin. "Nothing. You just look cute when you eat."
***
Shopping for Sebastian was the hardest thing. Riley and Carol came with me whenever I went out and we all didn't know what to get him. Cologne? Too common. A shit? Too basic. Shoes? Too much money.
I finally just ordered him some new Xbox game about pirates or something. That's what I was expecting.
Two days before Christmas, the package arrives. What's in it? Not the game. Oh no. A dildo was delivered to my door. I squealed when I saw it and ran to my room. I hid the package in my closet and dialed Riley.
"Yes?" she answered.
"Riley! Sebastian's present arrived and you'll never guess what it is."
"Isn't it supposed to be a game?" she asked.
"Yes, that's what I ordered. What gets delivered? A dildo!"
I took her seven minutes to quit laughing. "Grace, did you use it?"
"NO! Why would I?"
"Because then that'll be his Christmas gift." She began laughing.
I hate myself.
***
Christmas morning came around and my aunt woke both Ryan and I at 7 am. I refused to leave the bed but then she mentioned an ice bucket and I was downstairs making toast and coffee. We gathered around the Christmas tree and Aunt Gwen gave a little speech before we opened our presents.
"This is the second Christmas spent without Lila and Michael. I know wherever they are, they are watching down on you Grace and are both proud of you." A tear escaped her eye and rolled down her cheek. I was trying my hardest not to cry. I don't really like talking about my parents and what happened to them. I know I should. But I don't. I always push it away. Seeing my aunt, a woman I didn't know existed until last year, cry almost made me sob. I lost my parents, but I found new family I didn't know existed. I don't know why my mom cut off ties with her only family. I never asked Aunt Gwen. It seemed too personal.
"Your mom would always send me a Christmas card with a picture of you from that year. I would turn to Ryan and say, "That's your cousin." We love you Grace and we'll always be here for you now."
I found my family. That's what Christmas was about. Not the dildo that is hiding in my closet. It's about your loved ones and the people in your life. I lost my parents and in light of that, I found an aunt and a cousin. I wasn't alone anymore.
We opened our presents and Aunt Gwen later left to go work. She got called in on Christmas. Tragic.
I was walking down the stairs when I saw Ryan open the front door and secretly walk out. I creeped down and looked through the peephole. He was talking to another boy, about my age, maybe a year older. He handed Ryan a bag filled with white stuff. Ryan gave the kid a wad of money. I nearly gasped but then Ryan turned and raised his hand to the knob. I scrambled away and ran to the kitchen.
"Grace?" he called out.
"Yeah?" I called back, a bit squeakily. He didn't notice.
"I'm going out, okay?"
"Okay!" I called back. The front door closed. I was alone.
I sighed and looked out the window. He was getting in a red car. I saw a girl that I recognized from school. I think her name was like Vanessa or something. They drove away. With drugs. Drugs I saw Ryan purchase.
I walked away and sat on the sofa. How does one even bring up to an adult that her child is doing drugs?
YOU ARE READING
Redwood High 2
Teen FictionGrace Arias survived her horrendous freshmen year nearly unscathed. Now she just has to deal with sophomore year, which the classes itself bring in trouble. Old and new friends join Grace this year for new misadventures and more drama. Fun, fun, fu...