Mom wouldn't be able to come home for a few days, so Trent and Jake came back to the house with me.
Upstairs in her home office I could see it fr myself; she had been faking it, faking being okay. Her calendar had been work event after work event, the bin filled to the top with empty coffee cups, papers everywhere.
I helped clean up the mess, and just slept in my old room.
When I woke up I saw Megan had tried to call the previous night and then when I obviously hadn't answered she left me a voicemail.
"Hey, Isa, it's me. Look I can come over for Christmas, since that's not far off. If you're staying home to look after Mom or the house I'll understand, it's fine. Hopefully I'll see you in a few days."
Once it ended, I came to a realisation; the holidays were just around the corner and I hadn't gotten anyone anything.
"Shitting fuckery," I muttered under my breath.
That's how I ended up hitting the high street with Trent and Jake.
"Seriously, girl, how could you forget your favourite time of year?" J asked me.
"Maybe because she's had her mind on someone....a girl, definitely?" T replied, smirking.
I groaned and hid my face. "So, so many regrets. I wish I had just came out by myself now, so thanks for that."
"You're welcome," Jake answered, and Trent laughed.
I'd be lying if I said I didn't have an amazing time, even if my brother and my best friend/future brother-in-law kept asking me about whatever girl I had my mind on.
Eventually I caved. "If you must know, it's the girl who drove me up here when you called and said Mom was hospitalised."
Trent gasped. "Seriously?"
"She's perfect for you," Jake commented.
"Does she know you like her yet?"
"Yep," I said.
"And!?" the pair of them exclaimed in unison.
"She....she said she likes me too, and we kissed."
Two loud squeals of pure excitement.
"Oh my GOD!"
"It's HAPPENING!"
"I hate the both of you," I muttered.
"So why did you say she was just a friend?" Trent asked.
"Because she is. Not even an hour later at a party she hosted at her house, I saw her....kiss someone else."
"WHAT!?" T screamed.
"Oh, she's dead now," J snarled.
"Okay, I just don't want to talk about it. That's why I didn't want to tell you anything," I explained.
"Awe, I'm sorry, honey." J threw his arm round my shoulders.
"Let's just shop until we drop, or need McDonald's. Deal?" T asked.
I laughed. "Absolutely."
So, despite having to find a gift for everyone that they'd love so close to Christmas already, I managed.
At home I wrapped everything up in old wrapping paper Trent and Jake had been storing so we wouldn't need to buy new wrapping paper, smart boys.
Everything was bought and wrapped, and I spent the rest of that evening downstairs wrapped up all cosy watching absolute nonsense on TV.
