Secrets And Lies

Chapter 33: What Do You Give To The Boy Who Has Everything?

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Ryan

Winter break came quicker than I wanted, and I was running out of time to buy presents for the few people I had left. Finding their perfect gifts wasn't the only thing stressing me out, and Christmas wasn't the only thing headed towards me full speed. Tonight would be the first night I'd be staying with the Mathews. I tried to stay at the hotel with my dad, and I was sorry to say that the lack of privacy proved to be a problem by the second day. I had been too worried I'd have a nightmare to fall asleep. When he asked why I haven't been sleeping, I blamed it on the bed. He immediately got on the phone and told Melinda that there would be a change in plans.

I was beyond worried that the new living arrangement would break us. Our relationship was moving faster than any high school relationship should, and I couldn't help but feel like I was waiting for the other shoe to drop—a rather heavy, ugly platform that would send all of this crashing down. I voiced my concerns to Axel, who assured me that we would be okay, and at the first sign of trouble, we would work it out. I hoped that he was right and not living in a fantasy world.

I needed to put all thoughts of living arrangements out of my head and concentrate on the gift of giving. I roamed the mall for almost three hours and still didn't know what to get my boyfriend. I had been to every store the day before with him, secretly trying to get an idea of what he wanted. But the big jerk wouldn't look at anything for himself. Axel hated shopping even more than I did and complained the whole time. He had asked me, "Can we go yet?" several times and had zero patience for standing in line.

Finally, while waiting to pay for the Seahawks poster I picked out for Foster, Axel loudly informed the lady in front of us that he ordered all of his gifts online weeks ago to avoid "standing in line, listening to all the 'Karens' complaining!" The irony of his statement wasn't lost on me.

I used my suspension to pick up the warden's gift, a couple of mani-pedi gift certificates for Taylor and Sloane, Quade's Russell Wilson signed football and 2Pac shirts for Sam and Paul. All that was left was my boyfriend and Luke. I needed to get a little something for my stoner.

"I hate this..." I huffed, dragging my feet on the scarred tile of the Woodport Mall. "I have no idea what to get him or his parents!"

"If you haven't noticed, he doesn't want for anything. Mathews always buys what he wants the minute it crosses his mind." Foster shrugged.

"You are absolutely no help." Having rich-people problems really sucks for their not-so-wealthy girlfriends. Christmas shopping this year is making a severe dent in all the money I saved from working for my grandparents. I might have thrown a fit when my dad insisted that he pay for the majority of my grandparents and Quade's gifts, but now, I'm sure as hell glad that I gave in.

Foster got a look in his eye, a look that told me he had an idea.

"I know one thing that he doesn't have, that you could give him." He smiled from ear to ear.

"Spill it!" Taylor commanded, grabbing her boyfriend by the arm.

"You could give him a roll in the sack." He laughed.

Taylor smacked his chest.

"Oh, wow... you're funny..." I deadpanned and walked ahead of them. Why were guys such perverts?

"That's a Bre-style gift." Sam wound his arm through mine. "You're much too classy for that."

"It was just a joke.." Foster called after us.

I stopped abruptly in front of a smoke and vape emporium. Foster collided into my back. Fruity vape oils and the scent of weed wafted out when someone exited.