Masqueraded Identities

Chapter Twenty-One

I dropped my stuff in my room, walked back out a good distance from the doorway, and ran through the hallway into my room, my arms out straight like I was freaking Super Man, and jumped onto my bed. I dug my head into my newly washed pillow (thanks, Mom) and sighed in content.

I loved Princeton. It was awesome, really. But being able to come home to your own bed every now and then was also a great feeling as well.

I was rudely awakened out of my laundry-detergent thoughts with a loud meow. I lifted my head and saw my cute, fat black-and-white cat, Nudge. I smiled, sat up, and picked him up. Boy, had I missed my baby.

It felt so nice to be at home, again. Sure, I had come home last month for Thanksgiving, but that was such a short break, it barely amounted to anything. Christmas break lasted two weeks. We came back January 8th, and eight, short days after that was opening night of Faust. There were three performances total (one on Friday, one on Saturday, and one on Sunday) but opening night was always the most important.

I smiled as my cat purred, which sounded more like a chain saw than a purr, and ended up falling into a deep sleep until it was dinner time.

Christmas morning, and I was just as giddy as Tay had been. I didn't think I would be, but then I remembered I was receiving jewelry made by my favorite designer of all time, Ms. Betsey Johnson. It was a good way to start any Christmas morning, so the very first thing I grabbed was the tiny, hot pink bag with her name on it.

I took my stuff out of it, smiling as brightly as I had when I picked it out a few months before.

The rest of the stuff was books, gift cards, CD's, and other random things like that. Everything made me happy, and I felt so blessed. Then it was off to get ready to go see other family members the rest of the day.

I sat back in my chair, and huffed. After a giant Christmas dinner cooked by my wonderful grandma, I could officially say I ate my weight that day. She was a fabulous cook, and no matter how full you were, you always tried to eat a little more because you know you wouldn't be getting any more until the next holiday or special occasions.

“Presents?!” my five-year-old cousin Levi asked anxiously. I remember those days, where all I wanted was presents, presents, presents. It seemed like it was just last year... Or maybe it was... I'm not too sure...

The adults laughed, and we all gave a look that screamed “oh jeez, can I get up while being this full?”. But somehow we managed to get up despite our food comas, and we all waddled over to the tree. We plopped down, and the kids sat anxiously by the tree. I laughed. My cousins were so cute.

They started opening their presents, ooh-ing and ahh-ing at every single present. Then the kids started handing out ours.

I got more of same, but was presently surprised by a brand spanking new Juicy Couture purse from my Aunt Natalie. Love you, Aunty!

When the kids had settled down and it was dessert/do whatever family time, I finally had a chance to check my phone. There was the normal messages from close friends, Tay, and Mark, all wishing me a merry Christmas. But, there was also a message from someone I was not expecting: Ryan.

Ryan and I had exchanged numbers a while ago, mainly for AP geo purposes since we both sucked at that class.

RYAN: Hey, Rory. Hope your Christmas is great :)

ME: Thanks, you too! :)

RYAN: It's nice being home again, eh?

ME: Oh definitely. And seeing the family. Love it.

RYAN: You with your fam now?

ME: Yessir. You?

RYAN: Not right now. Just my parents. But go spend time with your family. It's important!

ME: I know it is, but right now we're just sitting around doing nothing. Don't worry, it's fine.

RYAN: If you're sure. I don't wanna take fam time away.

ME: Nah, don't worry. I see them a lot really

RYAN: Lucky. I wish I saw mine more. Get anything exciting for Christmas?

ME: I got some jewelery from my fave designer :D oh, and iTunes. I will always want iTunes money haha. What about yourself?

RYAN: nice! Got some really expensive sketchbook and drawing pencils. Pretty excited about that.

ME: Oh that's cool. I never knew you draw!

RYAN: All the time really. I'm always trying sketch someone. I like drawing people.

ME: That's awesome!

RYAN: Thanks. :) so, I saw that little star necklace you got when I came to ask you about the homework. It looked nice.

ME: Oh thanks! I love it aha. More than Mark's to be quite honest.

RYAN: Glad I didn't give you that one then.

ME: What?

RYAN: Oh crap, wrong person. My bad. But yeah, Mark tries too hard sometimes, I get it.

ME: I guess. Better to have someone try than not at all I suppose.

RYAN: Damn, I gotta go. Sorry. It was nice talking to you :) I will either text you more or see your pretty face on January 8. Bye, Rory.

ME: Bye :) have a great break!

Butterflies were pounding against my stomach like the bass pedal on the bass drum. I'm not sure why. I mean, so what, Ryan said I was pretty. Big whoop. If he went out with a girl bigger than me, he would obviously probably see something attractive in me.

I shook my head. I had a boyfriend. Why was this such a big deal? I was starting to act like Tay! Okay, maybe not that bad, but this could just be the start! I was supposed to think he was an ignorant, conceited jerk, and instead, I was happy because we had a normal conversation, he called me pretty, AND complimented my necklace.

My necklace. I fingered the two charms around my neck, and smiled. Both were great, and had an even greater story behind them.

I'm glad I wasn't the only one who thought the star was better than the heart.

But, wait.

How did Ryan see the star? When I opened it, he was on his way up the steps. I had closed the box by the time Tay caught him tying his shoe. And when I had gone to check my calendar to see if anything for geo was due, I had set the box down on my dresser. So, how had Ryan ever even seen the star necklace?

Holy shit.

Was Ryan freaking Hutchins my masked stranger?!