Jingle Bells and Parallels

13. Nolan

Chapter 13

~Nolan~

       My whole family was out of the house right now. My parents and my younger siblings were finishing up on some Christmas shopping while the rest of my siblings were probably at the mall right now.

       So when someone rang the doorbell, I immediately wanted to hide in my room. I hated answering doors. It could have been anyone; a package deliverer, a burglar, a murderer.

       What if it really was a burglar who wanted to steal my food? Or my Christmas decorations?

       I was really about to hide when the burglar said, "Nolan! I know you're on there!"

       Okay, so not a burglar.

       Unless you count him stealing my heart.

       I walked to the door and opened it. "What do you want?" I asked. "I'm about to have a Christmas movie party by myself."

       "What do you want?" Jerome repeated. "Wow, makes me feel so loved and special to be your boyfriend. I can't believe how lucky I got to have a boyfriend who cares about me so much."

       "There's food waiting for me in the living room, Jerome," I said. "I want to eat the food."

       "Want to go out for some food?" Jerome asked. "I'll pay."

       I eyed him suspiciously. Jerome took me out all the time for food because he knew how much I loved food and he told me he just wanted to make me happy, but I couldn't help but feel like there was an underlying cause today.

       "What's the catch?" I asked.

       "What?" Jerome asked. "There's no catch."

       "Condition?"

       "Nothing."

       "Stipulation?"

       Jerome sighed. "Nolan, there seriously isn't anything to it. Can't I just take my adorable boyfriend out for lunch?"

       "I'm still suspicious of you," I said.

       "Okay, so I kind of need your help with something," Jerome said.

       I furrowed my eyebrows. "That's it? Of course I'll help. How come you didn't start with that?"

       "Well..." Jerome said slowly, and he didn't even have to say anything for me to know what the answer is.

       "No," I said. "No way. Not happening. I told you I don't want to get involved with it. I don't mess with evil stuff and that Santa might actually be evil."

       "Please?" Jerome asked. "We need one more person to make sure it's successful and we don't know anyone else that could help."

       "Did you ask Atticus?" I asked. "Because he'll do anything for Orchid, even if it's something as crazy as doing... whatever it is you're planning on doing."

       "Trust me, we tried asking him but he said he's busy and he can't cancel the plans he had," Jerome asked. "Please, Nolan? You know I wouldn't ask you if we didn't have any other options?"

       I hesitated for a bit, debating if I should get involved in my siblings' and my boyfriend's crazy scheme. "What would I have to do if I get involved?"

       "Nothing too crazy," Jerome said. "In fact, you'll have the easiest job?"

       "Does it involve eating food?" I asked.