Recess: Secret of Beginning

Chapter 19

Waking up on a christmas morning should make you happy. It's christmas afterall. But for Spinelli all she felt was dread as she entered the living room where everyone was gathered. Her younger cousins have already ripped open their presents and where happily occupied on the floor.

When her aunt asked her if she could babysit while they go last minute shopping for christmas dinner, usually Spinelli would avoid it, kids weren't really her thing. But it was a good way to avoid a certain someone so she agreed. Mickey also offered to help.

"Merry christmas Spinelli" Mickey said as he pulled the girl into a tight hug. She returned it and craked a small smile. "Merry christmas Mickey" Spinelli replied.

"When are we exchanging gifts?" Spinelli asked the tall blonde who sat himself comfortably down on the floor among her three younger cousins. "After christmas dinner, T.J said it'll be fun the build up the suspense" Mickey smiled.

Typical T.J, making something as simple as secret santa into something bigger. Spinelli half smiled. They started doing secret santa in 5th grade, they figured it would be fun and it would save everyone money from buying everyone something. Of course it was T.J's idea.

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The evening came around quicker than Spinelli wanted. She was lucky enough not to have run into T.J all day. From what she heard from Gus, him and Vince were down at the stables all day. She made sure to sit at the other end of the table away from T.J during christmas dinner. She felt T.J glancing at her throughout the dinner but she ignored his gaze. The gang had been exchanging worried looks but tried to break the tension with conversation and ignoring the strange behaviour between the two.

As the gang gathered in the living room the two again sat on opposites ends away from each other. To get away from the awkwardness Spinelli offered to get some snacks from the kitchen and before anyone interjected she had disappeared into the kitchen. She let out a long sigh, this was starting to get really tiring.

"You two really need to talk" a voice said. Spinelli turned her head towards the source and saw Renee cautiously enter the kitchen. The twin was still stepping around Spinelli like ice even though they were now civil with each other. They haven't interacted much but Spinelli acknowledged her existence.

"What?" Spinelli asked confused.

"You and T.J. You need to talk" Renee clarified. Spinelli eyes narrowed slightly at her statement.

"What's happening between me and T.J is none of your business" Spinelli snapped. Renee wasn't fazed and crossed her arms over her chest. She opened her mouth to say something but decided against it. She grabbed two sugar cookies and left.

Spinelli stayed rooted to her spot for a while just thinking. She kicked herself mentally. She knew Renee was right but it was easier said than done. She quitly slipped back into the living room with the tray of snacks. But she noticed quickly that T.J was missing.

"Where's Teej?" Spinelli asked looking around. The rest of the gang shrugged. "He was here a minute ago" Gus said turning his attention away from the window.

"Sorry Spin, we got distracted by the snow outiside. It looks like a heavy snowstorm" Vince said still looking out the window. Spinelli furrowed her eyebrows and decided to check the back porch. She quickly noticed the red cap and smiled but stopped aburtly in her tracks.

T.J wasn't alone on the porch, he stood huddled together with Renee. Spinelli felt a pang in her chest. Her eyebrows furrowed further and she felt the pain grow stronger as she saw T.J put an arm around her, like he used to do with her. Tears started pricking her eyes but she refused to let them spill. She was Spinelli, she wasn't going to let herself cry over a stupid boy.

But for some reason he looked back and his baby blue eyes widned as he saw her. Spinelli's instinct told her to run so she did. She heard him calling her name but she could barley hear him. She just needed to get away, somwhere far. She barley managed to grab her coat as she rushed out the door. She didn't know where she was going or what she was doing, she just let her instinct take over. Soon she had tacked and was mounted on Twister. T.J, Renee and the gang reached the stables just in time to watch her canter off to the trail.

"SPINELLI!" T.J shouted desperatly over the wind and snow that was coming down faster and heavier by the minute.

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Spinelli's  vision was blurred from the snow and the tears that were rapidly falling down her face. The wind was whipping against her face harshly as she galloped through the winding trail. She ignored the cold and the pine branches that scraped her face.

She confessed to liking him and he goes and acts affection towards her twin! the jealousy was really getting to her. If someone told her T.J would do that she would've laughed them off, she never believed he was capable of something like that.

Spinelli was too caught up in her thoughts to pay attention to her riding and as Twister was turning a corner his hooves lost grip and he tripped and slipped down the steep bank of the path. She didn't even have enough time to scream as she was harshly thrown from the saddle, down the slope and into a pine tree. The impact winded her and her head slammed back against the tree bark.

Twister picked himself up clumsily and shook the snow from his coat. He stepped over and nudged Spinelli who lay sprawled out unconscience in the snow. The gelding tried to climb back up but the bank was too steep and the snow slipped from under his hooves making him slide back. He tried to climb back up a few times but the result was still the same. He whined in fright and furstration as he twisted in tight circles trying to figure a way out but eventually realized he was trapped.

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I'll post the next chapter as soon as I can, I'm pretty busy with getting ready for school :P

Question: Who do you want to find Spinelli?

- Renee: finally have a break the ice and sister moment

or

- T.J: no kiss yet, but lot's of fluff and clearing the air between them

Let me know and I hope you enjoyed :)

Love,

Natalia