Changing Me

Chapter eight

Big chapter!!!!
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After the mall a couple days ago, I dropped Wesley off at his house and went home. While we were there I got most of my Christmas shopping done and out of the way. I had a lot of gifts to give this year.

For awhile I pondered the thought of getting Wesley a gift but I didn't go through with it. Mostly out of fear. I know he likes to read, I just don't know what book I would get him. Or even worse, if I were to get him a book he's already read.

The thoughts make my head hurt, so I suppress  them completely. I'm always getting headaches when I think about him now making my thoughts more complicated.

Right now it's Tuesday. Yesterday was the first day of Christmas break and I mostly slept and cleaned. I wrapped a few presents here and there only to stuff them under my bed so my brother and mom can't find theirs.

I hate doing nothing all day. The thought makes me so irritated because I know I could be doing something be-

Beside my lazy body sprawled out on my bed, my phone starts ringing interrupting all of my thoughts, and I pick it up to see who it is. Across the screen I see the name Wesley.

At the very moment my mind processes the name on my phone, I sit up on my bed in a flash. I take a second to take in a deep breath and let it ring a couple times so he doesn't know that I'm desperate for his attention before finally sliding the green button to answer the call.

"Hello?" I say into the phone, giving it my best I'm totally not into, voice I can come up with. You know because I wasn't. At least I think. I'm actually not entirely sure.

"Hey Anika.. so.. well.. ok so there's this thing.. it's my mom..-" he stutters for the words.

"Wesley what is it?" I ask him feeling my heart flutter a bit when I say his name. I give myself a dirty look wanting to crawl into a hole and die for being so damn cringy.

"My mom is throwing this Christmas gathering with my family tonight. She does it every year before the actual holiday and my grandparents come out from both sides and so do all of my aunts and uncles. It's a big thing. I'm always really awkward at these things and my family doesn't like it when I'm like that, and you make me feel better sometimes so I was just uh wondering if you would maybe go." he says and I feel the excitement bubble in my chest.

"Wow, so I would be meeting your family?" I ask him feeling myself start to become uncomfortable.

"Oh it's ok. You don't have to go. It's not a big deal or anything don't worry about it." he says and I can hear how his voice changes to a saddening tone. Despite my discomfort, I would never turn this down.

"No no no! Of course I want to go. I would love to go even. What time should I be there and how should I dress?"

There's a pause, and for a second, I allow myself to imagine his beautiful smile on the other end.

"It's kind of a dressy event, but not too dressy. So just wear a Christmas sweater. That's what everyone normally does. And it starts at 6. We'll feed you, I promise, so come hungry because they'll expect you to fill a plate."

Feed me? Hell yes. He doesn't even need to hype it up anymore. I'll be there.

"Shit you know I will. See you then." I say and we say our goodbyes and hang up the phone.