Match Made

'Tis The Season

Aden's words were sincere. It's Christmas Eve, and we're still going strong. Not once has he attempted to have sex with me or pressured me in any way. Our time together has been perfect. It's just past noon when he pulls into my driveway. My mom and siblings are well acquainted with him by now. He enters and my mom greets him with a hug then ensures everyone leaves us to ourselves.

Seated side by side on the living room couch, we exchanged gifts. He opened his first and I got him a pair of leather gloves lined with rabbit fur. Putting one on, he said, "These are great Kelly. Thanks."

It's then I open my small rectangular box and he's gotten me a 14-carat gold rope chain with a 14-carat gold cornucopia charm. The cornucopia charm was the most coveted charm in 1986. God knows why, but I sit, mouth dropped just gazing into this jewelry box. His comforting voice says, "Let me put it on for you."

Still in shock, I nod. Inhaling the luxurious scent of his cologne and feeling the warmth of his body so close to mine sends a chill down my spine. Once he's done, I hurry into the bathroom to see how it looks. The necklace stops just above my cleavage. As I turn it sparkles letting me know he made sure it was a diamond-cut chain. Hurrying back to him, I hug him whispering, "Thank you. This is way nicer than my gift. I'm sorry..."

"Sorry? I love my gloves. Plus, you deserve way more than I've given you."

Suddenly he pauses. Dropping his head he exhales saying, "I have to go. My family's going to my grandparent's home today, then to my oldest brother's for Christmas. I told my parents there's no way I was waiting to see you until after Christmas, so they allowed me to come see you today."

I stammer, "Thanks."

Giving the room a quick pan, he pecks my lips and whispers, "I gotta go."

Now standing face to face we're lost in each other's eyes. Nodding, he heads toward the front door. While in the doorway he puts on his new gloves and waves good bye. I lock the door and then rush to the dining room window to watch him drive away. My mom's cooking in the kitchen so she sees me watching. Once he's gone, she asks, "What'd he get you?"

Starry-eyed I show her my necklace. Lips tooted, she says, "That's very nice and looks expensive. You two must be getting pretty serious?"

Shoulders shrugged I answer, "Yeah, I guess."

"I like Aden. He's a good boy, but don't give him too much too fast. Do you understand what I'm saying?"

"Yes, mama."

"If he likes you, he'll wait. You're still just kids. You have your entire adult lives to do grown-up stuff, alright?"

"Yes, mama."

"Alright. Tell your sisters and brother to come and eat."

Winter Break ends and I am the envy of the school; of all the girls that is. Whenever I'm with Aden every girl who walks up instantly notices my necklace and cringes. Everyone knows he purchased it for me because he has a matching necklace but it's just a little bigger. Also, he and I are inseparable. As a result, Dallas has a girlfriend now. This way he can hang with us and double dating is actually fun.

Our first double date was three couples. It's Aden and me, Dallas and his girl, then their mutual friend and girlfriend. Aden had chosen a real Japanese restaurant where we actually sat on the floor to eat, just like in their culture. Aden was so much more mature than all of us. By us being so young the servers didn't know how to cater to us. The prices on the menu didn't move Aden, but Dallas and the other guy complained the entire time. Embarrassed, Aden says, "Let's just go get Chinese."

Motioning for the waitress Aden whispers, "Sorry but we're going to leave now. How much do we owe?"

The waitress tells him the sodas are on the house and then we all leave and go to a classy Chinese restaurant. Once seated there Aden scolds, "And if you're too broke to eat here leave now so me and my girl can enjoy our evening,"

Dallas rebuts, "Aden I have money it's just I wasn't paying all that money for something I couldn't pronounce."

Side-eyeing his other friend they both burst into laughter then Aden shouts, "Shut your broke ass up and just order some food!"

Even Dallas' girl is laughing with us as he turns burgundy from shame. "Shut up man." Dallas murmurs.

Aden grabs him around the neck saying, "You're still my main man, broke or not."

Loving Aden's love for him, Dallas just smirks and goes back to normal. The night ended and we all had a blast. Now in my driveway, we kiss a few minutes before Aden whispers, "I love you."

Choked up I stammer out, "I-I love you too."

Foreheads touching, he says, "I'm going to take you somewhere real nice. Just you and me, okay?"

"Okay."

We kiss again, he walks me to my front door and then leaves.

It's Valentine's Day. For $2 you can have a rose delivered to your sweetheart in class. Of course, my beloved sends a rose to my first hour. It's a new semester so we no longer share a class but still have side-by-side lockers. I don't have to go to my locker every bell, but at the fourth hour, I do. As I exit onto our locker floor, there's a crowd. Quiet I walk up and Dallas taps Aden. He turns and hands me a photo he's drawn and another rose. Blushing hard, due to all the onlookers, I drop my head saying, "Thanks, Aden."

Unashamed, he leans in for a kiss. We kiss and everyone releases a resounding, "Awww."

Eyes lifted his way, I shake my head. Smiling he says, "Happy Valentines Day. I got plans for us this weekend too."

It's then Sonya gags, "Oh my God! You always have something for her!"

She laughs it off, but I know her envy is real. I faintly smile her way as she discreetly scowls towards mine. Pushing between us she says, "Sorry to break this up, but Senior Skip Day is fast approaching. That's when we're officially Whittier's senior class, but you and I have yet to do anything. I overheard you have plans for this weekend but we need this ball rolling as soon as possible."

Eyes locked on me Aden answers, "Okay." Then he slowly rolls his eyes to focus on her.

Glancing back at me she huffs, "Call me when you're free, please."

As she stomps off Aden continues staring my way. Dallas leans on him jeering, "Sonya needs some dick or something, 'cause she's buggin' out."

Shaking his head Aden says, "See you later Kelly." He and Dallas then walk off whispering and laughing.