My British Bear

Chapter 10

"Hey, Chloe?" I asked, cradling the phone between my shoulder and cheek as I scrubbed at a wall in the kitchen. "Who's allowed to come over to the Christmas party? Just anyone?"

"Well, I'm allowed to invite six friends, and they can invite a friend or two. I've invited you, Aadesh, Brooks--"

"Oh, you invited Brooks? Great." I smiled.

"Mhm. I also invited Zachary, Tiaz, Jess, and my cousin's friend Rose. Zach invited Molly, Jess invited Seth, and... that's it."

I scrubbed at an unyielding red spot. "So, can you give me some specifications about the party? Like, time and what I should wear and bring and what-not?" I moved the phone from one cheek to the other and rinsed out the rag.

"Um- okay. You can get here at 3:30, and dinner's at five. Let's see... wear anything casual, but I will demand to pretty you up because there will be a dance."

"What?" I demanded. "A dance?!"

"Yeah."

"I can't dance! I don't even know how to dance! Thanks for being such a great friend and warning me! Woman, I don't even have a dress or skirt to wear!"

How angry I was seemed to totally blow over her head.

"Eh, that doesn't matter! I didn't tell you because I didn't want you backing out because of the thought of a dance."

I took a deep breath, trying to keep my temper down. "Just... just continue on with details."

"Well, there's gonna be a ton of food." My stomach rumbled. "And we'll go Christmas caroling and open presents. It's gonna be like the Nutcracker story, I suppose."

"Just without any weird talking nutcrackers or princes or shrinking." I stood up and stretched.

"Exactly!"

"Should I bring any... presents or anything?" Wow, Maria! You've known about this party for weeks and you just now think about presents? You're the great friend! I sighed and rinsed out my rag again.

"Nope! Don't even worry about it. Seriously. Don't worry about bringing anything but yourself. And a happy attitude." Her voice grew mock dark and serious and I could picture her fake scowling. "If you have a bad attitude, I'll have to beat it out of you with a cookie."

I was silent for a moment before bursting out laughing. Chloe fell off of her bed laughing (I could tell by the sudden and loud 'thump' accompanied by her dropping the phone), which of course made me fall over laughing.

Finally we stopped.

"I'll be sure to leave my bad attitude at home."

"You better!"

I caught my breath from all the laughing. "Really though, is jeans and a t-shirt okay? I don't have anything fancy and I don't like makeup..."

"Neither do I! Yes, it shall be fine." I could imagine her patting my head. "That is, until Jess and I get our hands on you!" She let out a deep, evil laugh.

"I'm soooooo scared." I rolled my eyes.

"You should be!" she exclaimed. I just chuckled and began to wipe down the fridge. "I can get very creative, and I'll make you look impressive! I'll totally make sure Brooks falls head over heels for you!"

I nearly dropped the phone, my face hotter than a ghost pepper. "E-Eh-- what?!" I stammered.

"You liiiiiiiiiiike him." Now she was smirking.

"NO! Don't be stupid! I don't have any time for romance!"

She laughed and I wanted to slap her. "You will when I'm done with you! By the end of the night I swear I'm gonna tie you and Brooks up under the mistletoe until you two smooch!"

"No!" I squealed, sounding overly desperate. "You get a single leaf of mistletoe near me and I swear I'm gonna hurt you!" Finally I got the perfect leverage. "I'll- I'll tell Aadesh you like him!"

The other end of the line went completely silent. I counted the time in my head. Five seconds. "What are you talking about?" Her voice was monotone.

"I've seen how you get googly eyes over him! You always talk about how 'absolutely cool' he is, and every time he says something nice to you you get six shades darker. In other words, you look like you're normal." Chloe has vampire skin, so when she blushes she looks like she has a normal person's skin tone.

"I hate you," she growled.

"Love you too." Yes. It worked. "Now, are we understood?" I scratched at a tough spot on the fridge.

"You will kiss Brooks. I swear it," she muttered.

"I'll tell Aadesh."

"I'll get raised or Jess to do it! Oh, Zach would love to hang mistletoe around you two!"

"I'll... uh..." I tried to think of some leverage.

"AH HAH! Got'cha!"

"I'll still tell Aadesh!" I whined.

"I can deny it! He'll never know. But! You cannot deny mistlestoe. You. Will. Kiss. Brooks."

"I ain't coming to your party." I said, tossing my rag in the sink.

"I'll kidnap you." She had that I'm-utterly-serious Chloe voice on.

I tried to come up with a comeback, but my mouth just sat there, inviting flies. My hands were tied. Chloe was serious. "Fine." I huffed. "I'll still tell him though."

"Sounds good to me!" she sang.

"Gotta go. Bye."

"Bye!"

I hung up, my stomach twisting. Do I like him? I thought about his cute smile and curly hair and felt my cheeks heat up. No! I washed my hands off. You don't have time for romance! You have more important things to do than swoon over some British kid! You'll probably break up in two months anyways.

But Seth, Jess, Zach, and Molly had all managed to stay together for a long time.

I sighed. No matter how hard I tried, my heart did a little double beat whenever I thought of Brooks.