*December 26, 2012*
It had been three days since Ricky and Chris came home and three days since Chris had explained that he had a little over three weeks to find a wife or he'd be killed. I had told Helena about the next day, on Christmas Eve, and as much as she tried to help, I knew something was bothering her.
"Lene? What's wrong?" I asked, after telling her about Chris' contract.
She had looked up at me and shook her head. "Nothing. I think you should marry Chris. I know you really like him, even if you never admit it, and I know you'd be upset if he was killed."
She was right. I did like him, a lot..and I would be upset if he was killed. I would never forgive myself, because as per usual, I'd blame myself for this..even though it wasn't my fault. But marriage? I was eighteen, I should be graduating high school in May but this wasn't going to happen.
I hadn't spoken to Chris, or any of the guys for that matter, since hearing about the news. I was even quiet yesterday morning when we were opening our presents. As much as Ricky says he hated Christmas, he had gone out of his way to get Helena and I a gift, this actually made me like him just a tad.
*Decemeber 25th*
"I thought you hated Christmas?" I said quietly as Ricky handed Helena and I a present.
Ricky shrugged. "I do but I figured I could attempt to be nice." he mumbled.
He had gotten Helena a bracelet. It was silver with the words 'Your Heart Is Mine' engraved on it. She loved it, I swear she squealed so loud that the rest of the pine needles fell off the tree, and for the first time she hugged Ricky, which he was taken aback by.
I hesitated before opening my gift. I felt Chris' eyes on me as I slowly pulled the wrapping paper off and opened the black box. I gasped and pulled out a silver heart locket. I didn't know what to say, I wanted to thank him for this but the words wouldn't come out.
"You're welcome." Ricky said.
"It's beautiful." I said softly.
Ricky got up and walked over, taking the locket from me. I lifted my hair and he brought the necklace around, the cold chain gave my skin goosebumps but it felt nice. He clasped it and then walked back to the front.
"It looks good on you." he said.
I felt like holes were being burned into my face and looked over at Chris. He was glaring. I wasn't sure if he was glaring at me or at Ricky. I looked down, picking up the silver heart, double checking to make sure there were no words of "selling your soul to the Devil" engraved on it. There wasn't.
I got up and did something I didn't think I'd ever do. I wrapped my arms around Ricky, leaning my head on his chest. "Thank you." I said.
Ricky's arms snaked around my back. "You're very welcome, I'm glad you two like your gifts. Could you be dolls and help Devin clean up the mess? I need to speak with the rest of the guys alone." he said.
He walked out with the rest of them, leaving Helena, Devin and I to pick up all the wrapping paper.
--
I jumped when there was a soft knock on my door. I had been daydreaming about the events of yesterday and thumbing the locket between my fingers, completely zoned out.
"Come in!" I said.
The door opened and I didn't know who to expect but wasn't surprised to see Ricky.
"I'm surprised you knocked." I said.
He chuckled softly and walked in, closing the door behind him. I watched him walk over to my bed, the way he walked reminded me of a ballerina, he was so graceful with his movements, it was actually really alluring to watch.
