Paint Over my Scars

Chapter 14

It was Christmas morning. 

The air was crisp and cold, snow piled on roofs and cars, the decorations were up throughout the city, yet it didn't feel like Christmas. Monika guessed it was because she wasn't a child anymore- innocent has left her now, no more staying up trying to catch Santa or waking up early in the morning for gifts. 

It was noon- unwrapping gifts was over and Christmas breakfast was done- Monika's Christmas was over. 

She didn't like free time, she has already done cleaning up the house from leftover wrapping paper and Felicita was with her own family, so she has nothing to to but to lay in her bed. 

Monika turned over on her bed, staring at her phone, thinking over what she should do. She picked up her phone and texted Gilbert:

Can we hang out?

Before she could regret it, she send it to him and tossed it over to her pillow. Not long after, she heard a buzz. 

Gilbert: Where?

Monika: Your house

Gilbert: But my parents are here so we can't do anything ;)

Rolling her eyes, she got up quickly and looked through her closet- for some reason, she wanted to impress his parents and also him. She went with a new winter sweater she just got from Claudia and black leggings, she brushed through her hair and added light makeup. 

Monika knocked on his door, hearing the blaring Christmas music from inside and loud voices. 

She jumped when the door was swung open, seeing a woman stand there wearing a Christmas hairband with jiggly trees on the top. "Monika? Gilbert talks about you all the time! Nice to finally meet you, you look great!" 

Before Monika could greet her, the woman grabbed her arm and dragged her in Gilbert's house where scattered gifts flooded the ground and people stood around. She easily found Gilbert's silver hair through the crowd, he sat at his couch, talking to his family. 

"Gil! Monika is here!" She shouted, keeping Monika's arm in hers. Gilbert peeked up and raced over, taking Monika's hand from the woman. 

"Monika, this is my mom," Gilbert blushed, "And mom, this is Monika... a friend," 

His mother- long brown hair and tan skin- shrugged her shoulders, smirking the way Gilbert's does, "If you say so," 

Her eyes roamed to the bag Monika carried. "Did you bring something?" Her eyes light up.

"Um," Monika looked down at Gilbert, "No, Ms. Beilschmidt, it's a present for Gilbert." 

She shot a flirty glare at Gilbert, "Ohhh, I see," She winked, walking to the couch. 

Gilbert waited until his mother was sitting down and the room was at full volume, "Want to go to my room?" He said too confidently for Monika's liking. "I mean, to open presents without everybody," 

She already began walking to his room without a reply, there were too many people that she didn't know. Once up in the security of his bedroom, Monika sat on his bed, silent, watching Gilbert dig through his closet. 

Gilbert looked over at her, holding a gift bag, "You look nice!" He smirked as he walked back to her, "Are you wearing makeup?" 

"Yeah, Felicia got me some for Christmas, she said I needed it," Monika left out the part where Felicia said to woo Gilbert. 

"You don't need it, you look good either why," He sat next to her, stretching out on his bed. "I got you a present," He tossed it to her tiredly.