This would mark the second Christmas in a row that I would rather spend with a family other than my own, and did end up doing so. Last year it was with the Harrisons and this year it was with the Feltons. Anything was better than the Brooks'.
I loved Christmastime in England. Everything was so beautiful, especially in London, which is where Tom and I spent most of our time since he was off filming for a few months. The trees were lined with blue, irridecent lights, giving off that winter wonderland feel especially when the snow fell. Then again, there was always snow in the winter, just like there was always rain every other time of the year. There would be nights where we went on triple dates with Janessa, Harry, Monica, and Harry that began in Harrod's with Christmas shopping and would end with ice skating at Somerset House. Coming from a suburb of Chicago, these kinds of things weren't unusual to me. I would always go ice skating at Milenium Park and shopping at Water Tower Place and along Michigan Avenue. It was just something about the difference in company while doing these things that made everything so great. Sure, Megan was great and no doubt my best friend, but my English friends were pretty great themselves.
"So what are you going to get Tom?" Janessa asked, untying her scarf as we entered Harrod's. We had split off from the boys after we entered so that we could all do our Christmas shopping without the other half of the couple knowing anything.
"Yeah, it might be hard to beat last year's gift. He loved those CDs."
"Loved? He never stops playing them! We go in his car and they're all we hear!" Monica laughed.
"Then I spent my money well," I smiled. "I think I'm going to stick with a music theme again. I told him that I had been writing music and he's been very interested in my guitar."
"So you're going to get him a... song writing guide or something?"
"No, stupid. I'm going to get him a guitar and some blank music sheets. You know, so he can write his own music."
"Are you giving this gift more for his or your benefit?" Janessa asked, nudging me with her elbow.
"What do you mean?"
"Come on, Kenz. He's gonna shower you with ballads once he gets the hang of the guitar and writing music!"
"I didn't even think of that, actually." It was true was I did, though. Tom was known to spoil me, despite me constantly telling him I didn't need it. "But it's fine. That way we'll be even."
"You mean you've been writing songs for him?"
"Yeah... well I've only written one good one so far. The rest I started and didn't like so I just threw them away. But the good one I actually recorded."
"Like, in a studio?" Monica sounded amazed.
"Not a professional one, but yeah. Some kid in my choir class has all that music tech-y stuff and let me record with a real backing track instead of just my guitar. It has like him giving me a little back-up with some rap or whatever and violins and drums and all that jazz."
"That's awesome! Oh my God! People already know who you are a bit because you're dating Tom and you show up in magazines with him and stuff, but once they figure out that you can sing and perform, you'll be famous."
"Tom said the same thing, but I just don't think it will ever happen."
"Some day it will. You watch."
"But that day is not today or tomorrow or anytime soon, so let's just focus on getting our boyfriends' presents."
"Good idea," Monica agreed. "So since you have your gift all planned out, Kenz, you get to help us."
"Well I have a great idea for Janessa to get Sam..."
"What?" Janessa practically tackled me she was so excited to hear that I had an idea. It was obvious that neither of them knew their boyfriends as well as me.
"Duck Tape. Really strong Duck Tape. Maybe with a nice little Christmas pattern to make it festive."
"Why?"
"So that he shuts up. That stuff over anyone's mouth will shut them up good."
"Oh," Janessa said making a face and hitting me in the shoulder as Mon and I just laughed.
Janessa ended up not going with my idea, even though she did bring it up again after an hour because she still had no idea what to get Sam. Monica found a new video game for Harry and since they were twin brothers, Janessa couldn't take that idea. I was able to buy Tom's guitar and music sheets with much praise from the cashier for being the best girlfriend she had ever seen walk in the store. ("When I was your age, all I got my boyfriends were some new socks.") I swear we walked up and down the same floors about three times before Janessa decided to get another video game.
"What happened to being original?" Monica asked her best friend as we left the checkout line again.
"Shut up."
I smiled but avoided laughing because my arm could not handle another Janessa punch like after that Duck Tape comment.
We met up with the guys just outside the front doors. All three of them had a bag in hand and smiled mischievously when they saw Janessa and Monica's bags. Then they looked at me confused.
"Tom not get a present this year?" Harry asked.
"No, bro, he get's that special kind of present that can't be wrapped," Sam answered then continued to do a few pelvic thrusts. I looked and Janessa and she blushed, seeing that my Duck Tape idea wasn't that bad after all.
"As much as I am willing to do that," I continued to the twins' amusement, "I actually got Tom a material gift."
"Where is it then?" Tom asked.
I smiled. "It's being shipped to your house."
His eyes popped out of his head along with Sam and Harry's. Janessa and Monica laughed, all of us knowing that they were thinking bigger than the gift actually was.
Sam suddenly looked like he had a realization. "It's a waterbed. I'm telling you, that's what it is Tom. I heard they're amazing. Plus she did say that she was willing to give you some action, so that would be perfect."
"Yes, because I can afford that, dumbass." I rolled my eyes but then smiled again. "Besides, Tom's bed is more than satisfactory."
I winked and then walked past the guys, Monica and Janessa following behind me and then giving me praise for shutting them up afterwards.
"But seriously, though, Janessa. If you don't want to give him it for Christmas, I understand, but Duck Tape is a serious possibility for his birthday or something."
