The Story of Udonia

Chapter Five: Christmas Gifts

I woke up in the middle of my bed with my dress from the evening still on. The light in my room was turned off by Ashton after he noticed I had fallen asleep. More guilt washed over me. I had ignored Ashley after Mr. Covington's announcement, I drank when I promised I wouldn't, and I fell asleep after insisting Ashton tell me about his time in America despite the fact that he had also just learned of his father's illness. I was a terrible human being.
Well, at least I know and accept it. I thought about all the terrible people I had met that didn't realize how truly awful they were.
I hopped in the shower and cleaned the alcohol off my teeth with my minty toothpaste. After putting on a little make-up and a new outfit, I headed down to the dining room for breakfast.
"Merry Christmas." Mrs. Covington greeted me with a warm hug.
"Merry Christmas." I replied and sat down at the table.
Mr. Covington was at the head of the table.
I gave a sympathetic smile. "I was so sorry to hear about..."
He cut me off before I could finish. "Thank you, it's fine dear. I will have none of that talk on Christmas." He smiled.
"I just wanted to thank the both of you for welcoming me in your home." I smiled at both of them.
"Of course dear. You are like a daughter to us." Mrs. Covington reached for my hand across the table.
Ashley entered the room and sat next to her mother. Her expression was happy when addressing her parents and dull when she looked at me. I could tell she was pondering whether or not to still even be a my friend. I deserved it.
Ashton finally entered the room. He was less dressed up this morning in a pair of black jeans and a gray button up shirt that hugged his body perfectly. He sat down next to me. I shifted uncomfortably as I recalled the events of last night.
The Covington's had a traditional Christmas breakfast of Belgian waffles with a spread of possible toppings including maple syrup, chocolate syrup, whipped cream, and various fruits.
After breakfast, we scurried off the great living room to the Christmas tree. We engaged gifts. I got a few things for my hosts and some things for Ashley. I didn't know Ashton was going to be here, so I didn't have anything for him. But I guess that was good, because I probably wouldn't have gotten him anything he wanted anyway. Ashley gave me about four gifts, Mr. and Mrs. Covington each gave me a gift too. But the biggest surprise was that Ashton had a gift for me too.
"Look at this. There is one more present under the tree." Mrs. Covington grabbed it out.
It was a small gift wrapped in gold paper with a tiny white bow stuck on the top of it.
"Oh yeah." Ashton got up from the chair he had mounted himself on. He rushed over to the tree and retrieved the gift from his mother. He then turned to face. I met his eyes and more guilt washed over me. He got me a gift and I didn't get one for him.
I blushed. "Ashton, now I feel even worse that I didn't get you anything."
"It's fine." He walked over to me.
I was sitting on the couch was Ashley. He headed me the box with a nervous grin on his face.
I looked Ashley and she was as clueless as I was. I ripped through the paper and opened the box. Inside was a gold chain necklace with a small pale purple pearl hanging off it. I gasped. It doesn't sound like much, but I loved it. Ashton knew that I loved the ocean and pearls. Ashley, Ashton, Bianca, Tim, and myself used to collect oysters on the beach and break them open to find the pearls inside. My goal was to make a pearl necklace, but I never gathered up enough to complete it. My feelings with the sea have changed lately since it decided to swallow my entire family. I still loved this gift.
Ashley looked at the present and smiled.
"What is it?" Mrs. Covington asked eagerly.
I turned the box around so she could see the contents. I then showed it to Mr. Covington who was sitting in a chair next to the couch. They both beamed with happiness and shared a look that I couldn't quite read.
I looked up at Ashton with a large smile on my face. I suddenly realized that a single tear had tracked down my face. Ashton's expression suddenly went back to nervous.
I exhaled. "No. This is a wonderful gift. I love it!" He relaxed.
I stood up and hugged him.
"It's just, well. This is a happy tear. I haven't shed one of those in a long time." I explained while still in his arms.
He pushed me to arms length and our eyes met. This time the flurry that traveled through me wasn't as sexual as they were while I was drunk. I felt intense things for Ashton that I had never felt before. I didn't realize how much I liked him until that moment. In the past I never thought of him this way. He was almost like another brother, but now I was feeling different. In his arms I felt safe and happy. I had forgotten about how confused and angry I was with my family's death and instead was happy to remember them positively.
"May I?" He reached for the box.
I nodded. He grabbed the necklace out of the box. I spun around. His fingers grazed the back of my neck as he moved the hair away. There was that other feeling from last night resurfacing again. I helped to move my hair. He placed the necklace over my head and chained it in the back. It hung short, almost like a choker. I looked down at the necklace a smiled. I turned around to face him once again.
He looked at the necklace. "Perfect." He smirked.
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I thought that we could go the whole day without discussing the obvious issue, but Ashley tracked me down. After lunch, I headed back to my room. She followed me with Ashton in toe. They barged in on me as I was admiring my new treasure around my neck.
"Claire." She walked over to me.
"Ashley." I knew exactly what she wanted to talk about. "Last night, I lied to you." I admitted.
"I know." She replied.
I glanced over her shoulder and saw a somewhat guilty look on Ashton's face.
"You told her?" I asked with anger in my tone.
"Yeah." He said as he approached us. "She told me when I arrived that you were struggling and so I had to tell her."
My anger faded as I realized they were the ones that should be angry.
"Oh, Ashley. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that especially with the news that our father shared. I should have been there for you."
She raised a hand up to stop me. "It's okay. That doesn't matter. I know your sorry, but I also know that you being sorry won't stop you next time. You have an addiction." She grabbed my hand and Ashton's too. "We are going to do everything in our power to help you through this." She placed all out hands together in a pile.
This was the first day in a long time that I didn't feel sorry for myself. I should have been more upset. First oldish season without my family. But I wasn't for once. I was happy. I knew this was the start of reconstruction. I just wished I had gotten there faster.