Paired With The Potterhead

Chapter Fifteen: Trash Talk

Chapter Fifteen: Trash Talk

"I'm Jewish. I don't do Christmas."

It was our gift exchange at school and Sam refused to accept the gift that Nora was trying to give him, which was a handmade sweater with the letter S on it. Classic Nora. Always borrowing from the Potter books. But I didn't blame Sam for not wanting to take it. The sweater was....poorly executed.

"Since when were you Jewish?" Nora exclaimed. "You always told me you were Catholic!"

"I converted as soon as I laid eyes on this," Sam told her as he held up the sweater, not even holding back. "Look Nora. As much as I appreciate the thought and effort that went into this....very unique gift, I just can't accept it. I didn't even get you anything."

Nora scoffed. "Like I care about that. I'd rather give gifts then receive them anyway. So please. Accept my very ugly sweater. It's a token of our friendship."

For as long as I've known Sam, I've never seen his face grow so pale. He took the sweater regardless, quickly shoving it into his backpack with a pained smile. "Well....thanks I guess. Happy Hanukkah."

Nora beamed before handing me my gift. "I got this the other day when I was at the secondhand bookstore. I think you'll enjoy it."

She handed me something thick wrapped in brown wrapping paper. I ripped it open (a little too enthusiastically) to reveal a very thick book. "The fourth Harry Potter book?"

"Why do I sense a question mark at the end of that sentence?" Nora laughed. "Yes, it's the fourth book. You already have the first three and I found this one the other day at the store. Thought of you."

The book suddenly weighed a ton in my hands. "Thank you," I whispered. "I hope you have a tape for the other books too."

Nora snorted as she adjusted her backpack over her shoulder. "Of course I do! I have recordings for all of the books. The longest one is the Goblet of Fire. That one took a few tapes to record on....."

The day flew by in a blink. Most of our classes consisted of a movie and a snack (because it was the last day of school before Christmas break) but I had no complaints. All last week I had test after test, which I aced every single one. Relaxing like this in the classroom felt like a nice change of pace.

"If I have to sit through another hour of The Polar Express I will hug an oncoming train," I groaned as Nora sat down beside me for English, the last class of the day.

"It's just another hour and then we're free. Speaking of freedom, my parents would like to know if you want to come over for Christmas dinner?"

"Christmas dinner?" The thought of sitting down in a cramped house with eight kids made me feel suddenly claustrophobic. "I'll think about it. I think Josh said he was having dinner Christmas morning but I'll let you know."

She nodded. "Okay. If not then that's alright. What does your brother usually cook for Christmas?"

Mr. Yelchin interrupted us by starting up the Smartboard and playing the movie It's A Wonderful Life. Thank god. It wasn't the best Christmas movie but at least it wasn't freaking Polar Express. Nora would never admit it but she was also getting annoyed with the overdose of the mediocre Tom Hanks movie. She was just too kind to say anything.