Speak || A Twilight Fanfic

Chapter 6

It was hard for Gabriella to focus on the moment for the rest of the night. Her mind kept replaying those few minutes of kindness Paul, a complete stranger, had given her. She couldn't fathom how someone she had seen only from afar, someone she only knew by name, had somehow seen into her heart better than the boy who had known her most of her life. It was unexpected, thrilling, and just a tad bit terrifying.

She didn't understand why she felt a strong pull toward him. There she was, in the arms of the person she had pined over from the moment she knew what attraction was, and her mind kept straying to the guy that had gotten her the dream catcher that was hidden in the cruiser like a dirty secret.

The piece felt nothing as such. It was thoughtful and beautiful, and the way it made her chest flutter signified a deeper meaning she could not dig out. There was no reason for her heart to react that way to him. She shouldn't have wanted to feel his warm skin wrapped around her again, shouldn't have wanted to inhale his scent or feel his arms against her, not even to see his bright smile once more.

Yet, that's all she could think of as she helped clean up the night's festivities. The way he called her name, the way his eyes lit up as she thanked him, the picturesque way his tan skin looked against the snow. And his smile. She could not get the image of his smile out of her head.

"Wait, Gabs," Jake called out to the girl as she followed their fathers out the door. His voice broke her out of her trance, a red hue taking over her cheeks. "Could you give this to Bella?"

He handed her a bag, much like the one she was already holding. But this one was beautiful — shiny red with a silver ribbon. It wasn't crumbled or bent and looked like he'd put a lot of time and care into it. And it was just the bag.

"Is this another candle?" Gabriella joked, trying her best to hide her disappointment.

"Uh, something like that," he replied. "It's just something I've had laying around and thought it might cheer Bella up. So, can you please get it to her?"

"Sure, of course. What is it anyway?"

"It's nothing really," he chuckled. "Looks like your dad's ready to go."

He pointed at Charlie who was glaring at them from the cruiser. His brows were furrowed and his mouth was downturned in an annoyed scowl. The man motioned at his daughter to hurry, his patience growing thin as his eyes followed the hand of the boy on the low of her back. Jake instantly retrieved his arm, flinching as if he'd burned himself with the touch.

"I should..."

"Yeah, you should go." He bent down to give her a kiss, but she turned her head, his lips pressing onto her cheek. "I'll see you later, okay?"

"Yeah," she smiled forcefully. "See you."

Gabriella was quiet on the ride home. Bella's gift bag was guarded in her hands, her fingers playing with the delicate ribbon. It took everything in her not to peek into the bag, to see just how much Jake loved Bella over her.

"You okay, kiddo?" Charlie broke the silence as they pulled into the driveway. "You've been awfully quiet."

"Just tired," she smiled reassuringly. "I might love Christmas but it's an unbelievably draining holiday."

"Well, why don't you head up to bed and I'll put away the food?"

"You sure?"

"I can manage a few leftovers, Gabs," he chuckled. "Now, go on."

"Well, good night, dad. And merry Christmas."

"You too, kiddo."

The girl hurried into the house, snow melting onto her clothes as she sped in. She held three things in her hands – Jake's two gift bags and the box that stored the dreamcatcher. She had inconspicuously dug it from under her chair without drawing any attention to it from Charlie. She did not have the energy to explain where it had come from.