Stole My Heart

Chapter 17

I woke up to the sound of Christmas music blaring throughout the house. It was my family's Christmas Eve tradition. Groaning sleepily, I opened my eyes and frowned when I didn't see Kimberley lying next to me. She must have already woken up and gone downstairs to help my mam with breakfast. I pulled my slippers and dressing gown on before shuffling downstairs.

I stood in the kitchen doorway, smiling at the scene that was in front of me. Joe and Kimberley were standing on the table singing and dancing along to the Christmas songs, using spoons as microphones. My mam was busy cooking breakfast, not really paying attention to them. Hearing Kimberley's voice reminded me of the time she got really drunk at the party and I had to walk her home. I couldn't help but laugh out loud at the thought, causing her to look up at me and blush deeply, before jumping off the table and walking over to me.

“Aw, I was enjoying that.” I giggled as I pulled her in closer for a cuddle.

“Of course you did.” She replied before pulling away from me. There was something wrong with her, I could tell. She pulled away too quickly, we usually hugged for ages, not just a couple of seconds.

“You okay, babe?” I asked as I reached out to touch her arm tentatively, but she moved before I had the chance to.

“Yeah, I'm fine.” With that, she went and sat down at the table in-between Gary and Gillian, leaving me to sit on the other side.

Knowing that she wouldn't want me to cause a scene, I stayed quiet. It upset me that there was something wrong with her, and she was lying to me about it. I thought I was meant to be her best friend? I was also annoyed that I didn't get my morning dose of Kimba Cuddles, I usually got them everyday. I knew I had to talk to her, I needed to find out what was going on.

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Kimberley was through in the kitchen helping my mam bake some cookies to give to the neighbours. I don't know why she did it, the neighbours hated us anyway. Well, they hated me. I was in the living room with Gillian and Joe, wrapping the presents that were for the rest of our family that my mam was going to visit tonight.

“I'm guessing Andrew isn't coming for Christmas?” I asked as I sipped my cup of tea, watching Gillian and Joe wrap one of the presents up.

“No, he's not. Sorry Chez.” Joe replied, smiling at me sympathetically.

I shrugged, pretending it was no big deal. “It's his loss.”

“It's probably better he's not here. He'd probably just cause trouble.”

“I suppose you're right.”

“At least you've got Kimberley here.” Gillian chipped in, trying to make me feel better.

I was glad that all my family were getting on so well with her. It was great, especially because she was so nervous about meeting them. Now, it was just like she was part of the family.

“Yeah, that's true.” I replied. “I'm gonna go upstairs for a bit. If you need help, just ask.” As soon as I got into my room, I collapsed down onto my bed.

Everything was just getting too much. I had all these thoughts, feelings and emotions running through me and I didn't know what to do with them, and to make matters worse, my best friend was acting weird with me and I didn't know why.

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I had been in my room for a while now. I had missed dinner, telling my mam I wasn't hungry and I would get something later. The truth was, I didn't want to have to go through seeing Kimberley acting weird with me again. I had to talk to her, but I hadn't got the chance to yet. I wanted to talk to her alone, but every time I went to, she was always with someone from my family.