The Best Days

Chapter 13 Part 2

I said my goodbyes to Kendra and gave her my gift. She handed me a large Santa Claus adorned package and threatened physical bodily harm if I peeked before Christmas. I had more resolve that Haley, she needn't worry.

I poked my head in Gavin's room and saw him throwing some clothes in a black duffle bag.

"Here." I tossed him my gift. He had to drop what he was holding to catch it.

"Thank you?" He looked down at the gift and didn't say anything more.

The atmosphere wasn't good. I could feel it immediately. Why did he look so confused? It almost seemed like whatever had been bugging him since thanksgiving seemed to have come back to haunt him.

He let out a sigh before casting me a weary glance. "Look, I didn't get you anything. My minds been...somewhere else."

"It's cool, don't worry I wasn't expecting anything." I waved it off. I wasn't trying to make him feel worse, "I think snow would fall in Coconut Beach before I'd get a gift from you."

He ran a hand over his hair and sighed again. "I really appreciate it though."

Oh, no, his face...What was this uneasy feeling in my chest? "Yeah, yeah, don't get all mushy on me. I only spent like three dollars on it."

"Still..." He held it gingerly.

"Alright, I'm leaving. It was with great difficulty I did this. Don't make me take it back." I pretended to reach for it.

"No, it's mine." He held it to his chest like a child and pouted.

"Okay then calm down." I giggled awkwardly as I backtracked out the room. "See ya, Strauss."

I saw the slightest hint of a smile, "See ya."

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I was filled with dread as I got on my two hour flight back to Texas. I slept the whole time and literally only woke up when it was time to get off the plane. I only had my carry on so I headed straight out the terminal.

I spotted Josh right away with his tall behind. He was holding up a loose-leaf paper with my name scrawled across in pink highlighter. He was so embarrassing. Eyes that mirrored my own lit up when he caught sight of me.

When I got close I took the 'sign' from his hand and crumpled it up, stuffing it into my purse. "What are you even doing?" I laughed as he enveloped me in a giant bear hug and gave me a big wet kiss on the cheek.

"Grosssssuhh!" I wiped the extra saliva off of my face and onto his navy polo shirt.

"Not Gross, it's Josh. It's only been like four months. How could you already forget my name?"

I seriously didn't have the energy...I shoved my suitcase handle to him and he took it and drew it along for me.

As we walked he threw his free arm over my shoulder. "I missed you! You obviously didn't miss me. You don't call or text."

I rolled my eyes at him and let out a guffaw. "Oh hush, you don't pay me any attention. All you care about is Shantae now."

"True."

I gave him a shove. "Josh!"

"I'm just kidding. But she's great. She can't wait to meet you."

"Likewise." I was very curious who this Shantae girl was and what the heck she saw in my brother. But in all actuality, I just wanted to make sure she was good enough for him.