All that glitters, ain't gold.

Chapter 21

| View of outside, Christmas Day |

Megan's POV

When I woke up in the morning, my throat hurt tremendously. It felt so dry and raw. I reached my up and rubbed my throat and closed my eyes. Ah, that felt nice. "Good morning, trouble maker." I only smiled at Conner. I didn't want to test out talking, I had a feeling it would only worsen my aching throat. "How are you feeling this morning?" He asked me and I nodded my head, still smiling. I slowly make my way out of bed and look down at what I was wearing.

I had on red baggy sweatpants, black socks, and two layers of tops on. I looked inside Jake's UCLA sweatshirt to see Conner's long sleeved soccer shirt on. The boys two scents filled my nose and I smiled and hugged myself, I felt cozy. I liked the way Jake's UCLA football crew neck fit me, so he's not getting it back, even though I'm still upset with him. "Other than being weird, what are you doing?" Conner asked from behind me. I turned around and laughed a bit. Conner was still lying on the bed with one eyebrow raised, giving me a sceptic look. I patted my stomach and pointed in the hallway towards the kitchen. "Oh, you're hungry. I can make you some tea?"

I shook my head vibrantly, I wanted to be by myself this morning. "You want to be alone?" Conner guessed. I smiled and nodded my head "yes". "Okay, well I'm going to catch some more sleep. Don't get into any trouble, please." I gave him a thumbs up and left the room.

I made my way into the main room and looked out the window. It was beautiful outside, snowing lightly. I longed to go and play in it like I did when I was younger but I felt a new feeling of fear that came with it. I didn't want to go back out into the cold air. A memory of the cold air stinging my cheeks hit me and I turned away from the window. I turned my Christmas music back on and decided to cook a little breakfast for Conner and Jake. It's the least I can do after last night...

Thank god, I made Ashely go shopping yesterday. My refrigerator was filled with all types of food. Eggs, breakfast meats, milk, cheese, fruits, juices. I silently thanked Ashely and started pulling out food items. I heard my phone bing from the living room half way through my cooking.

I had messages from Ashely and Sarah.

Ashely:
Just got home and I'm reading all about you on social media already. What the hell happened?! Call me, Megan! >:( Merry Christmas btw xxx

Sarah:
I let you out of my sight for a holiday and you're in every tabloid this morning??? Call me. Now.

How did they find out? What the hell. I text them both back, saying that I'm fine and Conner would call and explain everything to them later for me. I added a quick "Merry Christmas" to the end of the messages and sent them off. I also messaged Jake and told him to be down in a few minutes. I placed my phone down and made my way back into the kitchen to finish cooking.

Thirty minutes later, breakfast was finished. I set the table and walking into my room to wake Conner. After tapping him lightly, I resorted to punching his arm when he didn't wake up. "I'm up!" He grunted. I grabbed his arm and dragged him out towards the dinning area. "I'm still tired, I just want to sleep in. I know you like Christmas and all but I- oh!" He stopped talking as he looked at all the food prepared for him on the table. "Megan, I'm sorry that you made all of this but you know you can't-" I nodded my head, already knowing that he was about to say. I pointed at the food and him, trying to tell him the food was for him. The doorbell rang just as Conner sat down and I rushed towards the door. I looked out of the peephole to see Jake scratching the back of his neck.

I opened the door to see him standing there with Celia. I didn't remember inviting her here, this breakfast was for Jake and Conner. "Ah! You're okay! I thought you were like dying last night. You were so pale and your lips were like purple- well you still are kind of pale but-"

"Celia!" Jake shouted. Her eyes widened and she covered her mouth with her hand. "Oh, I'm sorry. That must have seemed so rude! I didn't mean it that way." I gave her a soft smile and linked my arm in hers dragging her in the house. I wasn't going to act like a brat just because she was dating Jake, I couldn't stay mad over that. I had to move on. I guess Jake thought that I was in love with Conner so maybe he thought him and Celia could work. "I have so much to tell you- about Jason!" She whispered the last part as we walked towards the dining room.

I pulled out a chair and motioned for Jake to sit. "Me?" He asked, confused. I nodded my head and he sat. "She made this all for us this morning." Conner said, stuffing his mouth with bacon. "Ah, sweet. Thank you, Megs."

"I would eat, but Tiffany and I have a breakfast date downstairs at the cafe. I like her, she's cool, and little Anna is adorable." Celia squealed. I silently thanked God for her leaving soon. I felt like a bad person for my attitude, I just didn't feel like being around Jake's girlfriend right now, I wanted to be by myself.

I walked into the kitchen, grabbed my green tea, and went into the living room to find a Christmas special on TV. Not soon after, Celia plopped down next to me. "Okay so" she started turning towards me. "As you know, Jake and I just started dating. After he ran out to find me last week at the hospital, he was so sweet and comforting towards me. I decided to ask him on a date -I know, shocker- and he said "yes"! We went on a couple of dates last week and I finally asked if we should make it official. To be honest, I thought he was going to say "no" at first but he didn't!" She smiled broadly and clapped her hands. "Then Jason called me last night when Jake was down here, with you guys. He was all "I want you back, I miss you, I love you." But I told him I was with someone else now. But I really miss Jason, Megan. I don't know what to do. I would be such a b.itch if I broke up with Jake after I asked him out last week! I was just thinking of staying with him for a couple of months, then breaking it off." My face scrunched up in disgust.

"Oh.. Wow, I just told his best friend something I shouldn't have. Okay, wait, just hear me out! I want to give Jake a chance! I really do like him but you know I love Jason and it's hard for me to stay away from him! So maybe if I stay with Jake than I'll start to like him even more, then I won't break up with him." So basically, you're using him as a test rat? I wanted to say but I didn't. "But then again, I don't know. Jake hasn't really been into the relationship. I can tell.." Her face drops and she looks sad. "It's like his mind is always on someone or something else. I don't know, maybe I'm wrong." I only shake my head, sullenly.

Was he thinking about me? No, don't be stupid, Megan.

"Well thanks for listening! I have to go to my breakfast date. Merry Christmas and I hope you feel better, sweetie." I nod once again and turn back towards the TV.

I finally sit back and begin to relax, watching Rudolph on abc family. My tea is still warm and it soothes my throat on its way down.  At a time like this, I wish I did have a dog to keep me company and snuggle with. But soon enough, I doze off into a light sleep.

---

"Babe," I hear Conner say. It only felt like I had only been sleeping for minutes before I was woken. In reality it had been a while because Rudolph went off and now the ending of Frosty the Snowman was on. "Mm?" I softly him, slowly opening my eyes. "Everyone is going skiing and we wanted to know if you wanted to go with us." Conner sat next to me on the couch. I pictured the snow covered slopes and how cold the were. I imagine me falling and nobody seeing me or helping me. I feel myself shiver involuntarily, and shake my head. "Are you sure? I have lessons planned for us all. You're dad is even coming." As good as that sounds, my fear of last night repeating itself kept me from agreeing to go. "Alright, well we should be back a little past lunch." I nodded my head once more and Conner kissed my forehead, before leaving.

The rest of my day was spent being balled up on the couch in Conner and Jake's pajamas with a cup of tea in my hand, watching a marathon of Christmas movies. Conner came back around 4pm and we opened presents together. Afterwards, we had a quiet dinner. Well, I had soup and Conner had a three course dinner. After that, Conner joined me on the couch and we continued watching the Christmas movies. No, this isn't the Christmas I envisioned, but I am not disappointed at all. I had a nice, quiet, relaxing day and I finished it off with a close friend watching all of my favorite movies.

Before going to bed, I had Conner call Sarah, Ashely, and my parents to wish them a Merry Christmas and explain in full what happened earlier this morning.

"I hope you had a Merry Christmas." Conner said, wrapping his arm around my waist. I was a little cold so I snuggled into his chest and nodded my head "yes". Minus the whole hypothermic accident this morning, I indeed had a wonderful Christmas Day.