Talk Fast {Jesse Lingard}

14

    I strolled down the stairs and noticed Jesse was leaning on the kitchen counter while Marcus finished up setting the table for Christmas eve dinner. I ducked behind the wall and tried to listen to what they were talking about.
    'So you really think this is an okay idea?' Jesse said his voice squeaking a bit.
   'I don't think it's an amazing idea but I do think it is okay, yes. Just don't be all flirty like you always are. If you're going to try to win her over show her the Jesse I know.' Marcus said and I wondered who the Jesse he knew was. I had known Jesse for almost as long as Marcus, so how did I not know. I figured it's because their relationship was way different than ours.
    'Yeah but what if that Jesse is too soft, bean. Every time i've shown that Jesse I get pushed away.' He sighed and my heart fluttered. Why was I like this?
    'Listen Jess, it's going to take time. Just lower your guard, it's like stupid high mate. Just be the big softie I know.' I heard the smile in Marcus's voice and it made me smile.
    'Well you know her best. I just don't want to mess up again.' I heard a shift in his voice and realized he was walking to the wall so I bolted to the living room and pretended to be turning the TV on. A Real Madrid game was on as a re run and I admired the players on the team. I forgot about the conversation Jesse and Marcus were having when Asensio flashed on the screen doing a cute celebration of holding up his jersey while still wearing it. I laughed and noticed Jesse walking in.
    'Asensio huh?' He rose his eyebrow and I rolled my eyes turning red. Asensio and I were the same age and I'm sure Marcus could introduce us but no, that wasn't who I wanted.
    'Yeah he's a talent isn't he? Real cute too.' I teased and Jesse rolled his eyes.
    'He's alright.' He made a face and I laughed.
    'You're no fun!' I called him out and he pretended to be hurt.
    'Well I have to get going and I wanted to talk to you.' He scratched the back of his neck and I smiled at him.
    'Sure yeah, I'll walk you out.' I turned back and saw Marcus giving me a thumbs up so I stuck my middle finger at him.
    'So mean!' He mouthed and I just stuck my tongue out at him. Once we were on the front steps, he turned to face me and pulled out a thin box.
    'So we usually exchange gifts when you and Marcus get back from your trip but I wanted to give you yours today.' He smiled and I felt my body warm up. His smile was probably the most contagious thing in the world.
    'I have yours in Manchester.' I sighed trying to hand him back his box but he put his hands behind his back.
    'Open it.' He said and I slowly unwrapped the gift and it was a blue velvet box with my name engraved on the side. Even the box was pretty.
    'Jesse you really did not have to.' I sighed and he shook his head.
    'You say that every year.' He laughed and I chuckled too. It's true, I tell him every year he didn't have to. I opened the box and it was a bronze goldish necklace with a sun pendant that had a yellow orange jewel in the center. It was honestly so beautiful and I loved it so much. There was a little note slip underneath so I took it out without taking out the necklace.

Your nickname, Sol,  means sun in portuguese. I think that fits you perfectly since you are always shining - Jess

    I touched my hand to my heart and I felt like I could cry but I controlled myself. A few years ago I was telling Marcus that I thought his teammate was cute and now i'm head over heels for him. My trust could not be bought but the fact that he found out my nickname meant sun in portuguese made me so happy.
    'Jesse this is so sweet, my gift is like so wack compared to this.' I laughed and he chuckled.
    'I like everything you give me anyways.' He smiled at me and his eyes lit up like he felt accomplished that he had thought of the gift.
    'Thank you so much Jess.' I hugged him tightly and he wrapped his arms around me and I got goosebumps.
    'Have fun with your family.' I smiled and he pulled away looking at me. It took every bone and fiber in my being to not kiss him. I needed to control myself and not throw myself at him any time he was a good person.
    'You too Sol.' He smiled sweetly and I melted. He was so cute.
    'Bye Jess.' I waved him goodbye and saw him drive off. Once I stepped inside Marcus grabbed the box and analyzed it.
    'This is quality shit innit.' Marcus chuckled and I nudged him. He read the note and 'aw'ed and gave me a hug.
    'He really cares.' Marcus smiled and I didn't smile back.
    'Does he think buying me stuff is going to fix everything?' I frowned and Marcus put a hand on his hip.
    'You're so stubborn! He was just being nice and trying to set a starting point.' He grumbled and I cracked a smile. A starting point sounds good.

     Once dinner was done we all exchanged gifts but Marcus and I always exchanged gifts in my room when we had Christmas Eve at my house. When it was his house it was his room. It's been a tradition since we were five, when we got each other pet rocks from our gardens. The gifts slowly got better as our parents helped us and we got small jobs. This year I made him a gift basket. I had gotten the idea on some snap chat story of cool gift ideas. Inside I put the stress head I bought him, I also put socks, deodorant, sweat pants, nike slides, a towel with his name on it, cologne, a laptop pouch, a nike sweater, and finally a little scrap book of pictures of us growing up. I had a big label across the plastic wrapping of the basket saying 'For When You're Sweaty and Miss Me.' It was a struggle to get it past him without seeing but now I was placing it in front of him on my bedroom floor and he smiled widely.
    'Clever!' He cheered as he placed the label on the floor and unwrapped the plastic. He commented on each thing and got to the scrap book last.
    'Sol, you're honestly the best ever in the world.' He gushed and I hugged him tightly. Some people have told us we were going to be married one day, that we were destined to be, like soul mates. In my mind, although, I do think he's my soulmate but my friend soul mate. Like he's the one friend aside from the others that was meant to be and meant to be my best friend forever no matter what.
     'Okay your turn!' He cheered and he handed me a box. It was pretty heavy and I was wondering what it was. Marcus usually gave me a meaningful gift and then a gift I had been saying I would get myself but he ends up getting. This year it's one big box and he has a big smirk on his face. There are holes in the top and I could feel my hands start to shake.
    'Before you open it I want you to know I did not put the gift in danger and it was only in the box for the past fifteen minutes.' He spoke quickly and I threw open the lid thinking it was a dog. It was a large pet rock and I burst out laughing.
    'I love it.' I smiled as I pulled it out and placed it on my lap. In big red paint across the rock it said 'Biggie.' It was the name I had given the first pet rock that Marcus gave me when we were five. I smiled at the pretty large rock and placed it next to me giving him a hug.
    'Wait, did you think I was going to get you a rock? That hurts my feelings.' He said pushing me off and moving his hands away from behind his back. A little golden retriever puppy came running to me, tripping along the way and I could almost cry. It was so cute and tiny and soft. I scooped the puppy in my arms and felt myself crying.
    'Marcus, you're such an angel I can't with you!' I smiled through my tears watching the puppy fall asleep on me.
    'I know you've been begging for a dog because of me going away during season and now you have a mate when I'm not there!' He smiled and I kissed his cheek and sat back down with the puppy. He snapped a picture of me and I rolled my eyes at him because I was in the middle of crying.
    'What's his name?' Marcus asked and I smiled at the rock then back at the doggie.
    'Biggie.' I said and Marcus sat next to me petting the dogs head. I was so happy in this moment and I hoped it would last forever.