The Favor (BOOK 1 & BOOK 2 INCLUDED)

13. You're All I Need

You'd think on Christmas Eve, I'd be a little happier. I'd be ecstatic, because the next day was the day of gift giving and receiving. What they claim, is the best holiday of the year. But I wasn't feeling happy at all.

I felt the very opposite. I was mad, I was confused, and I wanted to just curl up in my room.

The cold window on my cheek was refreshing. I'd slammed the car door after getting in. My face was hot and red, my arms were crossed and I was doing whatever it took to not make eye contact.

Here's a refresher.

─12 Years Ago─

"Mommy, why don't I have grandparents?" I asked curiously while my mom was helping me put on a gorgeous dress for a  Christmas party my friend was having. "Everyone always talks about the amazing gifts they always get from their 'nana and papa' or 'grandparents.' Why don't I have one?" I said more specifically in my small voice.

Mom sighed and hesitated to go on.

"Sweetheart, before you were born, something very terrible happened. You're grandparents were very excited to meet you, but just a week before you were born, they died in a plane crash. Mommy was very devastated, but knowing that you were going to be born helped me get through it. And I've been happy ever since." She tells me, picking me up.

I smiled giddily. My right front tooth was missing, so I stuck my tongue through that.

"What about aunts and uncles? They say they have those too,"

"Aunts are Mommy's sisters, and uncles are Mommy's brothers. Mommy was an only child like you, so she didn't have any brothers and sisters."

"So what about everyone else, and their aunts and uncles. Aren't they your brothers and sisters too?" We're walking outside the house now, and out to the car. It was gloomy and dark, and quite cold.

"No, silly! Those are their parent's brothers and sisters."

"Ohh."

"Do you mind that we don't have any other relatives?" She asks, with a soft tone.

"No, I think it's too much, really. I'm okay with just us, I don't need a ton of presents!" I exclaim. She laughs at me, and I giggle as well.

─15 Minutes Before Present─

"Do you have your bag?" I ask my mom.

"Thank you for reminding me!" She starts to race upstairs.

We were heading to Charles's place tonight. I'd been there before, but it was special because tonight was Christmas Eve. This was a big step for their relationship, and it was coming up on six months of being together.

My phone started to ring from an unrecognized number. This number called me multiple times during school, and they never left a voice message. I didn't want to call back, but I'd begun to grow annoyed with it.

"Hello?" I adjusted my voice from my mood, my voice being preppy and polite while my mood was annoyed.

"I-Is Elane Young there?" The woman stutters. Her voice is low and croaky.

"Um, who's this?"

"I'm her mother." She says, astounding me.

"You must have the wrong Elane... She doesn't have parents. They died a long time ago." I say, beginning to get frustrated.

The woman sighs heavily. "Darling, I'm sure you've misunderstood." Her voice is shaky.

"No, she doesn't have any parents otherwise I'd know about it."