Invisible Monsters

Chapter 14: Happy Holidays

 After all, that Rose and James went back to normal. Actually, I think they're closer than before. Also, now it's Christmas break. Dad and I have managed to get gifts for everyone. Well, almost everyone. I've managed to get a Dr. Who t-shirt I think Dad will like, and I've managed to pick out gifts for my friends. Even Jack, who was a little hard to shop for. I got him a Dead Pool shirt. The only one I haven't gotten a gift for, is Zach. I have no idea what to get him. Also, I'm kinda nervous. Is it okay for me to get a gift for him? I mean he's given me a gift before. That tree necklace. So it should be normal that I get him something. Still not completely sure why he felt the need to give that necklace to me. Also, does the scarf count as a gift? Anyway, Dad has Christmas Eve and Day off, so we're doing some last minute shopping at a store that's still open for some strange reason. It's not a really big store, so I guess they can't afford to close. I'm walking along side of Dad as he's pushing a cart with some groceries in it. We never really have a big dinner on Christmas, 'cause it's just the two of us, but I do bake Christmas cookies and we just realized we forgot sprinkles. I said it was okay, but Dad said sprinkles are essential. As we're walking past an aisle, I notice something and stop. Dad doesn't realize right away so he walks a little further and then stops. He turns and looks at me confused.
"Sam?" he says my name.
"Just a second." I say to him without looking at him.
I go down the aisle and see scarfs hanging on hooks. Maybe I could give him a scarf. He doesn't have one. Dad comes down the aisle with the cart and stops next to me.
"You need a scarf?" Dad asks me.
"No, I already have one. I was thinking I had one more person on my gift list." I explain.
"Zach?"
I flinch when he says the name.
"Yeah a scarf could be a good gift." Dad continues.
I nod and get a blue scarf off a hook and put it in the cart. Dad smiles at me and I manage to smile back. I like how Dad doesn't tease me about Zach. Trying to insinuating we're a couple and other annoying stuff. I Can't understand why people think that. We're just friends, and there's no way Zach would ever like someone like me. As a friend yes, but as a girlfriend, no. Besides I don't feel like that about him. So then why does it feel so strange when Dad doesn't do what everyone else does?
"By the way, since when did you have a scarf?" Dad asks out of the blue.
"Uh well..." I trail off.
Dad tilts his head. How am I going to explain this? Maybe I should just tell him the truth. I can't think of a lie.
"Uh, well Zach, left his at our place and every time I try to give it back, he comes up with an excuse for me to hold on to it so..." I nervously explain to him.
Dad chuckles and shakes his head.
"That explains a lot." Dad laughs.
"Explains what?" I ask.
"Nothing."
I squint my eyes at Dad when he dodges my question. What is he thinking about? Can't be good for me.

Christmas Day was quiet and peaceful. It's probably the most peace I've gotten in a long time. When Dad and I woke up, we exchanged gifts and then ate breakfast. After that we just hung around and watched Christmas movies. Didn't do much that day and that's a good thing. While we were watching, my phone vibrated. I pulled it out of my pocket and saw I got a text from Zach. What could it be? Man, it better not be a monster, cause I really don't have any idea how I'll get away from home. I check the message and it just says
"Merry Christmas!!!"
I smile. I expected a text from Tiffany cause she always sends me a text on Christmas, but Zach? I wasn't expecting it. I'm surprised, but happy at the same time. I text back.
"Merry Christmas to you too."
I'm about to put my phone back in my pocket 'cause I figure that's all he was texting me about, but I get another message.
"So how is your Christmas so far?"
"It's good. My Dad and I are just watching Christmas movies." I text back.
"Mostly what Bill and I are doing lol."
Just then, Dad averted his eyes from the TV to look at me.
"I thought Tiffany already texted you today. " He comments casually.
I jump a little.
"Oh, uh. It's not Tiff. It's Zach. He's just wishing me a merry Christmas, that's all." I laugh nervously.
"Oh well, tell him I said hi and a merry Christmas."
"O-okay."
That shouldn't make me as nervous as it does. I start typing on my phone again.
"My Dad says Merry Christmas."
"Oh, cool. I say Merry Christmas back. Didn't think he would remember me." Zach texts back.
"He remembers all of my friends lol."
"You've gotten so used to calling me that now. Don't get me wrong, I like it. I was just beginning to think you would never let me in."
I feel my face go red. Why is he bringing that up all of a sudden?
"Well, you never gave up. So I just kinda gave in" I text back after carefully choosing my words.
"Lol." Is his only response.
What's so funny about that? Did I word that wrong? What if he thinks I'm just putting up with him? I should have thought of that! I'm about to start texting again, but he has already sent another text.
"Since you trust me so much, how about we hangout tomorrow?"
Wait, like just the two of us?! I need to send a text to find out if that's what he means. I'd ask him directly, but I'm too scared. Will he think I don't want to hangout with him or will he think I'm stupid for not understanding?
"Okay, I can text Jack." Is the only response I could think of.
"I've already asked him if he wants to hang out. He said no." he responds with a sad emoji at the end.
I laugh when I see the emoji.
"So you want to hangout at your place or my place?" I text.
I would feel less awkward at my place, but I don't want to pressure him.
"You decide." he texts back with a winking emoji.
What's up with the wink?
"How about my place?"
"Okay!"
Now I have to ask Dad. I look over at him. He looks at me confused.
"What's up?" He asks me.
"Can Zach come over and hangout tomorrow?" I ask nervously.
Part of me wants him to say no. I don't know why, but the thought of being alone with Zach still scares me.
"Sure. You can send him home with some of your Christmas cookies. I don't think we can finish them all." Dad laughs.
Guess there's no turning back now.