Gabriel

35. Christmastime (Part II)

I DIDN'T MEAN FOR THIS TO BE 26 PAGES in Microsoft Word OMG 7,825 words haha. I'M SORRY... OR NOT...

Side Note: Part of me hates putting in a character like Gabriella because I feel like it's such a cliché and that it promotes anti-promiscuity in women and slut-shaming, which I am COMPLETLEY AGAINST; if you want to get with a different dude any day of the week, you got mad game, girl! But I feel it was necessary to build Gabriel's character by including such a character in the plot, and in insinuating that Gabriel was very, very sexually active in his past, this would most likely be the type of woman he was with.

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     MAEVE

     After Gabriel sprung the news upon me that we would be going to a Christmas breakfast at his parents' house in the Hamptons, I decide to do some emergency shopping for everyone. Gabriel said it wasn't necessary for me to buy gifts, but I really want to make a better second impression on everyone, because it is after all, his family. And although the concept has become foreign to myself, I know how much it would mean to him if they liked me. Os I have to become likable. And what better way to bridge the gap then great presents. I take Gabriel with me so I have company and he had the credit card. Plus, I wouldn't be able to remember every single one of them; there's so many! He even made me a fücking list:

– Mom & Dad

– Michael & Bay-Austin

– Joshua (14)

– Maybel (10)

– Remiel & Jon

– Jodie (22)

– Ben (20)

– Emma (15)

– Uriel & Liza

– Cia (10)

– Azrael

– Raphael & Arie (18, 6 mo. pregnant)

– Saraqael (aka Morgan) (16 in five days) & Cara (14)

     For the happy couples, we get various items of comfortable clothing, or a coffee machine in the case of Lucia and Richard. I decidedly shop for the daughters around my age, and Gabriel shops for the sons. After much convincing, Gabriel agrees that we can split up to make the trip easier, so I head on my own, wandering aimlessly around the shopping mall in Chelsea until I come upon a small makeup boutique. I find a lot of cute little every-day knickknacks that I think would be perfect for the younger teenage girl– Cara. It's harder to shop for Jodie though, because I know that at 22 the only thing you really want is cash or a job- but since I have neither of those, I settle for a pretty lipstick and eye shadow set.

     Just as I exit the store, I spot a familiar face in the sea of people looking frantically for any last minute gifts in red fück me pups, a loose white sundress and wavy dark hair, the queen bîtch herself: Gabriella. The coincidence of it all has me cursing fate endlessly, and I try to hide my face as I pass by. Maybe she won't recognize me, I think hopefully. But as always, I'm wrong. Recognition flashes across her face, but I keep walking.

     "Hey!" I hear a squeaky voice shout for behind me, but I keep walking, in hopes that she'll give up. I feel a claw grab at my arm and I'm forced to face the demon.

     "Can I help you?" I ask through clenched teeth. She removes her hand from me, looking at it with disgust then putting on her hip. If anyone should be worried about catching cooties, it should be me, I think.