I'll Call You Back (Jalbert)

Chapter 3: He Doesn't Know We're Talking About Him

December 21st

While getting a Christmas tree, the cold air was making everyone's hands freezing. Albert kept breathing on them to warm them and him and Alex held each other's hands to warm up. But Jake, although his fingers were icicles, kept checking his phone. He had no gloves and acted like he didn't need them, but everyone else knew he did.

Alex pointed to a sappy tree. "What about this one?" she asked, shivering.

"Too sticky," Albert shook his head.

"Just pick one! I'm freezing and craving Mac and cheese!"

Alex's phone went off and Jake checked his. Albert eyed Alex.

"He's acting very weird," Alex whispered.

"He's worried if he got accepted or not. I'm worried he's too stressed," every time Jake checked his phone, Albert's heart skipped a beat.

"You're not annoyed at all?"

"Of course I am. I'm a little mad, actually. But I also care about him."

Alex smiled. "That's adorable,"

Albert blushed, but his cheeks were already pink from the cold.

"What about this one, guys?" Jake called, pointing to a tall tree with dark green pines and a smooth trunk.

"It's perfect," Albert smiled with a freezing double thumbs up.

Jake beamed. "Hey, Miss, can you help me?" he called to a worker. She helped him with the tree.

"He can be annoying, but I love him," Albert shook his head.

"You picked a good one,"

Albert had a puzzled expression. "He chose it,"

"No, you chose him,"

"Oh," Albert whispered, cheeks more pink.

"But he did choose a great tree,"

"Yeah, he did,"

At home

Alex went upstairs to warm up while Albert and Jake brought in the tree. They placed it in the living room and put it in a stand. Jake disappeared and came back a few minutes later with a mug. "Drink up," he told Albert, "you look very cold."

A sudden pain of guilt shot through Albert. He happily held it and took a sip. "Thank you,"

"Of course."

Albert continued to sip as Jake began to decorate the tree. Albert set down his mug to help. Jake began hanging up ornaments and Albert handed them to him. When they ran out, Albert picked up the star and sighed.

Albert put out his arm. "You put it up,"

Jake beamed and took it. He placed it on the top.

Albert looked at it as Jake stepped back to put an arm around him. Albert rested his head on Jake's shoulder and Jake kissed his forehead. Another guilt pain shot through Albert.

"I've got sap all over me, so I'm going to take a shower. I love you," Jake held Albert's hand and dropped it as Albert had done a couple days before.

"I love you more,"

Jake disappeared upstairs and Albert fell to the couch and started to sob immediately. Who was Albert to be mad at Jake? Who was he to be annoyed? Jake's phone went off on the coffee table and startled Albert. He looked at it; a scam call. Albert fell back and sobbed more, the phone continuing to ring. Ouch.