Crystal's Heart

XX. Or maybe, he doesn't care

Crystal's POV:

Just like Thanksgiving, Ricardo and I waited for the very last second before we had to go.

I stumbled to the door while Ricardo latched his body around mine, his head pressed into my neck. "We got to go!" I laughed.

His hand squeezes my butt, "A bit longer."

When did I turn into the responsible one?

"Last call for all students. Last call for all students. Please-"

Ricardo lifted me off the ground, and I wrapped my legs around his waist, "Just a bit longer. I'll carry your unicorn backpack out," he said as if my unicorn backpack wasn't latched around his back already.

Someone pounded against the door, and Ricardo dropped me. "Room check!" Leslie shouted.

"Wait!" I said. Quickly, I pushed Ricardo out of the way so I could fix myself in the mirror. Then, I open the door, "Hi."

Leslie looked at me, and then her eyes went to Ricardo and then back to me. "Go home. So, I can go home." She walked to the next door, "Room check!"

When there was no response, Leslie put in the master pin and opened the door.

Ricardo and I walked out of the room and towards the elevator. He pressed the button in the lobby, and when the door closed, I grabbed his finger.

He chuckles, "What is it?"

"Whatcha going to do over break?"

He shrugged, "Probably hang out."

"Oh."

He turned to me and pressed a hand beside my head, "What about you?"

I shrugged, "Hang out. Eat. Party. Maybe drop by Europe for a short vacation?"

Ricardo smiled, "If you happen to fly by Italy, I might be available to be your tour guide."

My heart leaps when he holds my hand, "I'd be okay with that."

Steadily, Ricardo lowered his head, and I smiled. He kisses me.

Out the door and into the car I go.

When I got home, the house was decorated to its holiday theme like every year. There were garlands, lanterns, and whatever other decorations inside and outside. The doorman opens the door since it's his job and whatnot, "Mom! Jackson! Dustin! I'm back!"

"Crystal!" Dustin runs downstairs in his pajamas.

I screamed.

He screamed.

We both screamed.

"Let's get ice cream!" We shouted.

My smile fell flat when Mom struggled to get down the stairs with her large stomach. It all feels so real now. When she got down, with the nanny's help, she exhaled, "How was school?"

"School is school."

"You seem like you're in a good mood."

"Mood is mood." I turned to Dustin, "Want to go see if anyone will stop us from eating bad things before dinner?"

"Yay! Bad food!"

Mom shook her head while we ran to the kitchen to get the chef to make us a lot of unhealthy desserts.

Christmas came quickly, and this year, we're staying in New York to celebrate with Josh's family.

"Look," Mom says to Dustin and me, "You're both going to meet someone new, and I want you two to-"