The Wanderers

Chapter 14

I was up before Dean which no surprise. I thought I'd be nice and let him sleep in. I was pretty sure he would have a massive hangover from last and did not want to deal with his grumpy butt.

"Hey, Ella!" Josie said, carrying a large wrapped box inside with her. I pressed my finger to my lips, prompting her to keep her voice down, pointing at Dean still sleeping.

"What's that?" I asked, referring to the neatly wrapped box with a giant red bow on it.

"It's for you."

"You got me a present?" I asked surprised.

"No, this was outside our door. It had your name on it," she said, handing it to me. I looked at her confused, but took the present anyways. "Who's it from?" she asked.

I shrugged. There was no card but that didn't stop me from tearing into it. I loved presents.

I ripped off the bow and pulled the lid off the box. Inside was a brand new white parka. I lifted it out of the box and a piece of paper spilled out onto the floor. Josie bent down and picked it up. I held the coat up admiring it. It was beautiful and looked expensive. I took the note from Josie and read it quietly to myself.

I figured I owed you one.

Consider it a peace offering.

That was it. No name, no nothing. But he didn't have to say who it was from. I already knew. "Who's it from?" Josie asked, curiosity piqued.

I sat down on the bed holding my new coat and staring at the note. I read the last line over and over again. 'Consider it a peace offering'.

"Ella?"

"Tristan," I said simply. "It's from Tristan."

"The boy's got good taste." She took the jacket from me and held it up.

"You can have it," I told her.

She looked at me like I was crazy. "No way, I can't take this. You don't like it?"

It wasn't that. I definitely liked it. It looked warm and cozy and something I probably would have picked out myself, but I couldn't keep it. The intention behind it wasn't right. I didn't want Tristan thinking he can just buy his way out of things.

I took the coat from Josie and marched right down to Tristan's room and banged on the door. As soon as he opened the door I threw the coat at him. He looked beaten and battered, like he hadn't slept all night. He had dark circles under his eyes, his hair was messier than normal, and he was wearing the same clothes as yesterday. I felt a twinge of guilt for my abruptness, but then shook away the thought. He had to know I would not tolerate this behavior.

"I don't want this. I will not be bought," I said, crossing my arms and standing my ground. One look at those eyes and I could see the guilt he was feeling for what he had done. I looked away, knowing I wouldn't be able to stay angry if I kept looking at him.

"Ella, it's a gift," he said, handing it back to me.

"I don't want it."

He sighed, dropping his arm, too tired to argue. "I understand if you don't want to forgive me. I wouldn't want to either." He looked down at the floor unable to meet my eyes. "I caused you to ruin your last one, so I thought I owed you." He tried handing me the coat again, pleading with me to take it. "I won't bother you any more if that's what you want, but at least take this. It's nothing more than a gift. No strings attached."

His eyes meet mine and this time I couldn't look away. I couldn't stay angry anymore. As much as I wanted to, as much as he deserved it, I couldn't. I took the coat from him. "Fine, I'll take it, but only because I need a coat," I said with a little more attitude than I intended.