Stories Undone, Scars Unseen // Hamilton College AU

Philip (43)

Happy birthday, Alexander! I refuse to do math, so somebody comment how old he is. (i.e. How to Get Out of Math w/ C) And even if it's 1/11 (awesome date, I want this birthday), it's fine that it's a Christmas chapter! Right? Let's just spread out Christmas! The Chinese haven't even had theirs yet! -C

   For someone who swears she's above all of this, Theo definitely gets more excited about holidays than me. I would gladly stay in bed all of Christmas. Let my little siblings frolic and fight over presents. A pillow and a blanket? Tell me I'm in heaven because that's certainly how it feels.

    If Theo would stop calling me, I would be having a better day.

    "Please come over?" She begs again, practically pouting through the phone. "I want to give you your gift!!"

    I groan, hiding my face with my pillow even if she can't see it. She doesn't seem to realize how comfortable I am. "I'm asleep, Theo."

    "Um, no, you wouldn't be able to see the phone and connect it to your brain and answer the call and have a conversation if you're asleep," she points out.

    Giving a mix between a grunt and a yawn, I reply. "Correction: I'm trying to sleep."

    "Too bad. Either I can come over there and jump on you, or you can get your own butt out of bed."

    "No girls allowed in my room anymore," I laugh. "So I have ultimate power here, Theo. Didn't you get some other present you were raving about this morning?"

    Like a box of poems that just happened to show up on her porch. It's not like her neighbor would deliver it. Still, I mailed it a few days back to throw her off the scent. Whether or not she likes poems over breaks is beyond me... So I decorated the box like a locker.

    She goes off on her tangent about how great the poems are, and how great they make her feel. I wonder if she'll ever figure out what the titles spell out with their first letters: I AM NOT GEORGE. However, I did twist the titles and put a few random title letters in.

    "Anyway... I'll throw rocks at your window until you come over. I also have some questions, but those can be after. So come on Philip!"

    "But I'm tired," I whine, burrowing closer to the blankets.

    "So help me Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades, in complete disregard to your stupid rule I will march up there and drag your sorry butt out of bed," she threatens.

    I scoff slightly. "It's not my rule. It's my parents' rule. So bring it up with them."

    "But they know me! I'm not gonna push you into the mattress and make loud slurping noises," Theo points out.

    Gagging into the phone, I groan one last time. "I guess I can get up then. Do I have to come over now? I could always wait for a little... You know?"

    "There is absolutely no reason to wait. Get. Over. Here."

    "I'm not dressed, and I'll have to put a coat on," I reply. I ignore the fact that I'm still wearing the clothes from yesterday. I was too lazy to change.

    "Just come over here in your pajamas then, you still have practically half your closet in my basement," she groans.

    "Give me five minutes. I'll be there soon," I finally relent.

    "Yay! Love you!" She chirps, and hangs up.

    I finally show up at their house, yawning and knocking lazily.

    She swings the door open and pulls me in. Theodosia swings her small arms around me and squeezes. "Merry Christmas, Philip!"

    "Merry Christmas," I laugh, patting her back affectionately.