Code Red

Chapter 25: I Have To Be Strong

Chapter 25: I Have To Be Strong

Dylan’s POV

Since today was finally Thanksgiving, Nina was already downstairs running around in the cafeteria trying to get the room and food to look perfect. The rest of us were currently in my mom’s room, sitting around her bed and watching the small television. She reached around me and under the bed, pulling out a large paper bag.

“I have presents,” She sang in a cheerful voice before pulling out a pink gift bag, a blue gift bag, a red gift bag, and a green gift bag. She handed the pink bag to Janie, the blue to Joe, the green bag to me, and the red bag was saved for Nina. “Go on! Open them!”

“Go first Janie,” I spoke, and watched as she pulled the paper tissue out of the bag. She squealed when she picked up a necklace of an infinity sign with a heart. She wore a huge grin as she handed me the necklace to put on her. Once I clasped the hooks together, fastening it on her neck.

“Thank you mom!” Janie launched herself at our mom, wrapping her arms around her neck.

“No problem, I will love you forever,” She promised, tears quickly springing to her eyes. She blinked rapidly before letting go of Janie. “Okay, Joe, your turn.”

Joe nodded his head as he pulled out a Giant’s jersey with all of the players’ signatures. “Wha-how- how did you do this?” He stuttered, clearly baffled by his gift. He has been dying for his own Giants jersey, and all the signatures were just a bonus.

“I have my connections,” She winked, proud of her gift choice. He quickly hugged her and gave her a kiss on her cheek, thanking her repeatedly. “Go on Dylan, open yours.”

Grabbing the paper tissue and removing it from the bag, I was shocked to see a small black box. When I opened the box, my mouth dropped open in surprise and I quickly shook my head no. I didn’t know what I was expecting, but I was definitely not expecting this. I was silent as I stared at the ring my father proposed to my mom with. It had a square diamond, sitting proudly and shining in the front and little diamonds wrapped around the band.

“I want you to have this, it brought me happiness and even though there was pain at the end, the happiness was worth it. Rewrite the story and let the ending be a happy one… for me.”  She explained, smiling sadly, remembering the memories the ring has brought her.

“Mom, I can’t take this,” I tried giving the ring back but she kept smacking my hands away. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to keep it, I didn’t know how to feel. She was giving me one of her most prized possessions. And it was an engagement ring, hopefully one I would use on Nina someday, because I was not letting her get away easily.

“You can and you will. I want you to have it, okay? Now come here,” She planted a kiss on my forehead and let me go some minutes after. I couldn’t believe she actually gave me her engagement ring.

Nina’s POV

Ahhh, Thanksgiving is today. Meaning it’s been about two weeks since we got here. I got numerous calls from my parents, my sister and brother, and all my friends checking up on me. I learned that I am excused from most of the work due to the circumstances. I also learned that Ryder and Nicole went on a “perfect” date and are planning on going to another one in a couple of weeks, when the football craze dies down for the last game is tomorrow which Dylan and I will be missing. Jack and Amber also went on their own date, and I heard through the grapevine that both of their player ways have died down and they only have sights on each other.

Elizabeth has been doing fine, same as always. Jason has visited our room a couple times, and I am glad to say, I highly approve of him. He was so sweet to everyone and he is not hard on the eyes either. Once I said that to Dylan, and I was smug to see that he did indeed, get a little jealous. Which he shouldn’t have because I would never do that to him or Elizabeth. It’s disturbing to even think about.