As He Held My Hand

11. Christmas Tree Down

11. Christmas Tree Down

Gemma’s POV

On Christmas morning, I wake up to the sound of my phone ringing. “Hello?” I answer groggily. “Merry Christmas, Gemma!” Alex shouts into my ear. “Merry Christmas, Alex.” I say smiling, even though she can’t see me. “You’re coming over to my house sometime this week and we’re exchanging gifts.” she says. “OK, that reminds me…I have to stop by the mall.” I say. “Gemma!” she says, but I can hear her laughing. “I’m kidding, I’m kidding.” I say, laughing as well.

We talk for a few more minutes before she hangs up, saying that she’s going to open presents with her family. I know she doesn’t mean to, but it causes a pang of jealousy, sadness, that she gets to open presents with her parents on Christmas.

I ignore the feeling and climb out of bed, putting on my slippers and going to wake up Aunt Rebecca. I’m surprised to find that she’s already awake.

We open presents together and eat breakfast in front of the fire, watching the marathon of Christmas movies that are on today. Then I remember that Grant and his dad are comxing over tonight for dinner, and I suddenly become excited.

After breakfast, Aunt Rebecca and I start preparing dinner. Grant and his dad will be here at five-thirty, so we have time. The day goes by quickly though, and soon it’s four. I go upstairs after frosting a batch of Christmas cookies. I lick the green and red frosting off my fingers as I look through my closet for something to wear for tonight.

I finally settle on a long-sleeved red shirt, black skinny jeans, and the red and white infinity scarf that Aunt Rebecca got me as a present. I shower and straighten my hair before changing into the outfit and putting on some makeup. By the time I’m finished getting ready, it’s nearly five-thirty, and the butterflies that have been swirling around in my stomach since this morning have grown worse.

I go downstairs and find Aunt Rebecca putting the finishing touches on dinner before putting it in the oven. “I’m going to go upstairs and get ready, I shouldn’t be long.” she says as she sprints up the stairs. In less than five minutes, she’s refreshed and changed, looking like she spent hours on her appearance. “How…” I say, and we both laugh.

I go into the living room and tend to the fire, still deciding where I want to be when Grant and his father show up. I texted Grant the address yesterday, so I know he knows where to go. And even though I’ve been preparing myself this whole day for the fact that Grant Baker will be in my house, I am still nervous when the doorbell rings and I realize I’ve been “tending to the fire” for about ten minutes straight. I hear voices, one that I recognize immediately as Grant’s and I feel myself smile. I walk into the kitchen after making sure everything’s lit up, and see Grant standing behind his dad, closing the side door.

He turns back and sees me, and for a moment, we make eye contact. “Hey.” he says. “Hi.” I say, giving him a wave. We’re still making eye contact when Aunt Rebecca clears her throat and I realize I should take their coats. “Oh, I’m sorry.” I say. Grant laughs and I blush as I take his coat and his father’s coat and bring them into the hall.

When I come back into the kitchen, Aunt Rebecca is talking to Grant and his dad. “It’s nice to meet you. You go to school with Gemma?” she asks. Psh. As if she didn’t know.