R e h a b i l i t a t i o n

Chapter Nine: Trees

The next morning Karen had my breakfast waiting for me in the kitchen at 11. I ate and then watched mean girls for the millionth time. It was cold and I didn't feel like getting dressed up so I just put on an oversized sweatshirt and leggings. The sweatshirt just happened to to be Matts. I grabbed my purse and waited by the door for Matt. He got here exactly at 3 and I ran out before he could come inside.

"Hey" he said hugging me tightly.

"Hi" I squeezed him back and then ran to the other side of the car. "Let's go Christmas tree shopping!" I yelled

"Someone's excited" Matt laughed

"I'm more than excited" I laughed with him. The last time I decorated the Christmas tree was with my dad.

"I could tell" Matt nodded

Matt drove to two tree nurseries and we couldn't find one good tree for my family room. They were either too tall or too short. We drove an extra half hour to another nursery and once again we couldn't find one good tree. As we were walking out completely defeated I spotted this scrawny little three foot tree. Something about it caught my eye. Even though it was small and thin the pines were so green and vibrant.

"I want that one!" I yelled sprinting towards the tree. Matt got one of the employees to cut it from the ground and then Matt carried it to the car while I paid. We got into the car and couldn't contain my excitement.But then I remembered that I had no ornaments.

"I don't have any ornaments though" I pouted looking at the tree in the backseat.

"We can go to the mall and get you some don't worry about" Matt said placing his hand on my thigh and I relaxed under his touch. Usually when a guy did this I would feel dirty and disgusting but Matt would never make me feel like that.

"Okay" I breathed. Matt kept his hand on my knee until we pulled into the mall parking lot. The sun was setting so the light made his hair look gold and his eyes look brighter.If I had a camera I would take a picture of him right there, right when hes smiling. I would save that picture and never throw it away. Ever.

Like usual he walked around the car and opened the door for me. We went into Macy's and went straight to the decoration section. I bought so many Christmas decorations that me and Matt had to haul six bags each to the car. We then went to eat at Chile's because Matt had a craving for quesodillas.

After a long dinner we made our way home.I checked the time on my phone when I got in the car. It was 10:10. Wow. At first it didn't make sense to me but then I remember we wasted three hours looking for a tree, two in the mall and two eating. It was past my curfew but whatever I'm having such a good time.

As we drove in the car i could feel my eyes getting heavier and heavier. Eventually fell asleep.

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"Gel, wake up we're here" Matt gently shook my arm to wake me up. I stretched and made this baby dinosaur noise. Matt had all bags in his hands and was walking to the front door.

"Do you need help with the bags?" I asked walking to the trunk but there was nothing left. He must have taken all of them in all ready.

"No I'm good!" He yelled.

I closed all the doors to the car and headed inside. Matt put all the decorations in one corner of the family room. 

"I guess I should head home " He said placing the last bag on the floor.

"Okay" I pouted. I wrapped my arms around his waist and squeezed. 

"Take it easy Gel, I'm fragile" he laughed hugging me back.

"You're coming back tomorrow right?" I asked hoping he would say yes.

"Of course, you are way too lazy to put all the decorations up by yourself"

"Okay good"I smiled into his chest. Matt pulled away and I walked him to the door.

"Good night Gel" he yelled opening the car door.

"Good night Matt, love you" I yelled. He closed the door to the car and made a heart with his hands. Even though I couldn't hear him I could read his lips. He said "I love you more"