When I Needed You | RusAme |

Eighteen

New years day was the day that they had finally released Ivan. He was doing progressively better, especially after they prescribed him a blood thinner. The nurse had joked, 'If you're not used to the heat, this can help.'

He sure hoped it could do that.

But he was at home with his family, and they were getting ready to celebrate their Christmas. On the sixth is a day called Epiphany, or maybe if your Catholic or French you've heard of Three Kings Day. For them, it was a holiday for spending time with family, and exchanging gifts. That meant they would be having Amelia over.

And she was looking forward to it, because there would be food. Lots of food. And Ivan said by then he'd have gotten her a gift, to which she told him he didn't have to do. But being the polite boy he is, he insisted. She couldn't wait to see what he would give her.

Amelia is always upfront about the things she wants. She likes to doodle and color, and she explained to Ivan how she was always bored in class and needed something more fun to do that still looked like she was doing her work. It was funny, how she could ace her classes while not studying or doing any of the work.

Ivan was warming up to sweet Amelia. In fact, he became a bit more eccentric around her (in a good way). He would become more talkative, and share his values and opinions around her. Although he was slightly more open to her, his modest nature kept him from asking for things he wanted.

Amelia had to ask around and just listen to him talk to her more to be able to get an idea a gift for him.

He seemed to really love space, so she had a great idea of what she would give him.

"Am I dropping you off Amelia?" Her mom asked.

"Yeah." She walked out of her room, a long, thin box wrapped neatly in her hands.

Her mom grabbed her car keys off of the table. "You sure you don't want to bring some cookies or something for his family?" She asked.

"Mom, did you-"

"Yes, I baked something. No, you are not refusing." She handed her a pan with foil covering it. Inside were the famous bar cookies her mom makes. She used to bale a lot more often until her job became more demanding of her.

"Alright.. Let's hit the road then, don't want to keep them waiting."

They got in the car, driving to a neighborhood with a certain yellow house...

-∆-

Ivan's youngest sister opened the door to his friend. She didn't want to let on that it bothered her that her brother might have a potential love interest such as her. Pretty, loud Amelia with her bouncy golden hair and her shiny ocean eyes. Natalia was jealous. She didn't have perfectly tanned skin, or a smile like hers.

Instead of being rude, she decided she might retain that holiday spirit everyone had.

"Hi, Amelia. Mrs. Jones." She flashed her nicest smile.

"Hey Natalia! You look beautiful!" Amelia complimented her, referring to the nice dress she was wearing.

She became flustered at her flattery, then noticed the pan. "Thank you... What are those?" She asked, tilting her head curiously.

"They're for you and your family... It's a gift." She said.

Natalia let the two inside, and they sat in the living room while they waited for Ivan to come out. Amelia had to remind her mother that they were not from here, and taking of your shoes in the house was a practice. Amelia reached over and set her mom's flats next to her Chuck Taylors.