12 dates of Christmas [Completed]

Chapter 13

Cora

I'm on my way to class when Maddie stops me in the corridor.

"You know they are only going out with you because they have this a bet about who's gonna get your first kiss", she says.

Why is she telling me this? I know she doesn't like that Zino is showing me interest, but to stoop this low?

"You're only saying that because you're jealous", I defend myself.

Maddie crackles out a laugh.

"You're so naïve it's unbelievable, do you really think that they would go out with a girl that doesn't put out?" Maddie goes on. I want her to stop. This can't be true. I leave her in the corridor and run to my class.

Mateo

Maddie comes up to me at lunch.

"Just so you know your jig is up, she knows about the bet."

I look over at the corner where Cora is sitting, she looks sad.

"She needs a nudge in the right direction", Maddie says looking at me.

Then Zino comes to the table and Maddie leaves.

"So how was your date last night?" I ask, looking intently at him so I don't miss if he is lying to me.

"It was good."

"Wasn't that your sixth date? Weren't you going to have her fall in love with you by then?" I have to ask.

"She's in love alright, but her Dad opened the door just as we were about to kiss", Zino grumbles.

I look at Zino and then at Cora, who is standing up to leave. They didn't kiss!

Cora

I've checked with some of the other students and they all knew about the bet. I'm so humiliated right now. I mean, they had me fall in love with them both and it's fucking unfair. It was all a game to them.

I manage to stay away from both Zino and Mateo the rest of the day. My heart is shattered to bits, I just want to crawl under the covers.

As I open my locker for the last time today, I see a Christmas wrapped box on the shelf inside that wasn't there before. I pick it up and open it. Inside there is a snow globe, which makes me think of the carriage ride in Central Park with Mateo. I turn it upside down and notice a message on the bottom; that's when I fell in love with you. I shake the sphere a bit and watch the snowflakes whirl around inside of it. I smile and look around, but I don't see Mateo anywhere.