Chosen (LGBT/Queer)

Chapter Seven: Spend It

ZURI

Christmas with the Hughes family was the same every year. We wore matching pajamas, ate breakfast, and then unwrapped gifts near the Christmas tree that Daddy and Dri chopped down. Christmas songs blasted through the house as we eagerly opened our gifts. It was hard shopping for my family since we had nearly everything we could think of, but that's what made it fun. Sometimes the simplest gifts could put a smile on our faces.

This year when Dri opened my gift, a professional beat machine, he tackled me and told me I was the best sister ever. Laili cried when she saw I got her a custom-designed sewing machine. Even Adriel couldn't help but give me the tightest hug when I gave her a prayer journal filled with inspirational quotes she had said over the years. Daddy and Momma had been talking about wanting to go on a cruise, but never found the time to go. So, I took it into my own hands and got cruise tickets to the Bahamas next April.

Laili whispered to me, "Show off," as Daddy and Momma smiled from ear to ear. "You're always good at giving gifts."

I whispered back more to myself than to Laili, "I hope so."

Kamil invited me to have dinner with their family at their grandparent's house. Before that, we were going to exchange gifts, and I was nervous about whether they would like my gift or not. I knew Kamil said they would act like they liked my gift, even if they didn't, but I wanted them to love it. I chewed on my bottom lip nervously, and as if Laili could read my mind, she whispered back to me, "They're gonna love it."

***

I giggled between kisses as Kamil pinned me down on my bed. They were in my room only to exchange gifts and then we were going to head to their grandparent's house, however, Kamil seemed to have other plans on their mind. We were already running late. Laili and Momma had talked Kamil's ear off as soon as they walked into our house. I had to drag Kamil to my room to keep another conversation from going.

I pulled away from the kiss for the final time. "Okay, baby, you're going to wrinkle up my clothes. We gotta hurry up." Kamil gave me the cutest pout and their soft brown eyes made me want to go in for another kiss, but I controlled myself. "I promise we can do more than make out after, but we have to go. I don't want to keep people waiting."

Kamil let go of my wrists and stopped hovering over me. They sat up beside me on the bed and laughed a bit as they ran their fingers through their short curls. "After my family, you're going to be tired to do anything."

I laughed at them as I sat up and straightened out my crimson wool sweater. "Why do you say that?"

"My family adores you and they don't even know you. When I told them you were coming over, they acted like I invited over Angela Basset or some sh-t."

I joked, "Wow, you don't think I'm worthy of an Angela Basset type of reaction?"

Kamil let out a short laugh and shook their head at me. "No trust me, you are, but you're just like an...angel to them. They watch your sermons all the time and I don't know- I don't want them to overwhelm you."

Kamil looked at me sincerely and a smile crept onto my face. It was so sweet how they cared about me. It was hard being a well-known pastor, sometimes I felt more pressure than God Himself. I felt like I had to be perfect or have scriptures ready to inspire someone. My daddy was used to the pressure, but I admit it sometimes overwhelmed me. After all these years, he seemed to never really think about that or ask me if it was too much. Yet, here was Kamil, someone I hadn't even known for a year caring about how I'd feel for a small family gathering. I couldn't help but give them another soft kiss.