Diary of a High School Has Been (18+)

Part 36: ITS CHRISTMAS!!!!

My second favorite holiday after my birthday.

I love Christmas! The tree, the presents, the way Mom dresses up the house in decorations and utilizes the fireplace that sits there unused all year round. She even makes this huge breakfast for us before we open presents.

Under the tree this year there were three presents for my mom, three for Dad, five for Grandma and thirteen for me. Yeah, Mom and Dad only bought me three with their stingey shopping habits. The other ten came from Grandma. When she comes for Christmas, it's like hitting the lottery.

The only thing I was more excited for than opening my gifts, was seeing Preston this evening. I hadn't seen him since we left in separate cars from the lodge.

We had agreed to spend the morning and afternoon with our families. Preston had to go over to his grandma's house where his extended family goes for a big dinner. I wanted to go too but he promised me I could go next year.

I loved that he was planning so far in the future.

I was so excited for him to see all the presents I'd bought him. I had already started buying them before we broke up and got back together but they were presumed to be returned. I spent all afternoon rewrapping them for when he arrived.

I got Preston these really fancy, handcrafted guitar picks, a couple of graphic t shirts, some gift cards to his favorite stores, and a fresh pair of high top sneakers.

Well, when I say I got them, I mean I used Mom's credit card that Dad pays off. But still, it's the thought that counts.

Around eight o'clock, I was sitting on the staircase landing, waiting anxiously for Preston to come over. Dad walked up the stairs to head to his bedroom but stopped to sit with me on his way up.

"Hey," I said, watching him as he took a seat.

"I'm glad you're feeling better," he said, patting me on the head.

My dad even offered me a smile. I couldn't match his energy with the confused look on my face. He hadn't been this friendly toward me since I was about thirteen years old. It would take some getting used to.

"Thanks Dad," I said as I placed my phone in my lap.

"Did you have a good Christmas?" He asked.

"Uh, yeah!" I said holding the diamond necklace I was wearing out from my neck.

"Your grandmother needs to stop spoiling you."

I smiled to myself knowing that would never happen. Dad got up from the step and pointed at me with a stern finger.

"Don't lose that," he said.

"I won't!"

I was slightly offended. He always thinks I'm going to lose or break everything.

Before I could somehow twist this into an argument, Dad was saved by the bell. The door bell, that is.

Preston was finally here!

I took flight off the landing and ran for the door. I swung it open in my haste and as I took in the view of my boyfriend, it was like the world slowed down.

The snow around him was falling slowly. He was wearing all black in Preston's usual fashion that opposed my white Christmas sweater dress. I know I always say Leah and I dress for different occasions but Preston and I seem to do that a lot too.

"Hey, Princess," he said.

The way Princess hit my ear just felt so right. It had been awhile since he called me that.