I'm getting lunch when Ethan comes behind me getting lunch as well.
"How's it going beautiful?"
I blush.
I go over to sit with Maria and Alondra as usual.
Ethan sits next to me.
"Ethan what are you doing? If Monique sees you-" I grit my teeth.
"Monique isn't here today." He chuckles.
"Oh" I look down at my food.
Only when she isn't here I see.
He kisses me on the cheek smiling but I force a smile.
"You good Val?" Maria asks.
"Yeah, I'm great!" I smile.
"So what're we doing for Christmas?" Alondra excitedly asks.
Grayson and the rest of the boys come out of nowhere and sit with us.
"Yeah what are we doing?" Jake asks as he kisses Alondra.
Everyone looks at me.
I shrug.
"We should do a secret Santa!" Maria says.
"Okay"
"I guess." Some of them say.
Maria rips up pieces of paper and writes everyone's name down.
She folds the papers and scatters them on the table and mixes it.
"Okay now pick a paper" she tells us.
We nod.
Everyone gets a paper.
"Did anyone get themselves?" She asks.
We shake our heads as we read the name we got.
"Great!" She claps.
—————
I'm leaving school when Alondra pulls my arm.
"Hey!" I shout.
"You're coming with me." She says.
"Why?"
"Because we're going on a double date." She turns to look at Jake and Ethan smiling.
Ahh shit.
"Okay" I sigh.
She squeals and claps.
"As long as there's food." I laugh.
Alondra laughs.
We walk up to the boys.
I get in Ethan's Jeep and Alondra gets in Jakes car.
We drive to New York and get to a fancy restaurant.
"Are we going to be able to afford this place?" I say pulling out a fifty dollar bill out of my wallet trying to see if I have more.
"Don't worry babe this is my treat to you." Ethan whispers in my ear.
Babe?
Did he know he was speaking to me?
Okay?
We get inside and ask for a table for four.
"I love this place Jake." Alondra kisses Jake.
I roll my eyes and realize I'm shivering.
"It's cold, no?" I ask them.
"I'll fix that baby." Ethan puts his coat over me and pulls me to his chest.
