Escape (Dana Vaughns) *EDITING*

Chapter 12: Christmas

"Okay, goals much?" I heard the voice of Cassidy coming from the hallway. I groaned a little and adjusted my position, forgetting I was on top of Dana.

"Ahh!" I screamed a little as I fell off his chest and landed on the floor. My absence woke Dana up and he looked down to find me lying there. I sheepishly looked at him as he started laughing leaving me to place my head in my hands.

"That's your goal?" Cole laughed asking Cassidy as I turned my head to find everyone there. My face lit up even more as I stood up and tried to fix myself.

"Merry Christmas guys." Dana and Joni said to us, big smiles placed on their face as they stared at the two of us. I couldn't help the laugh that bubbled out of my throat at his parents. I looked around and saw Gabe giving Dana and I a smirk that had me rolling my eyes.

"Merry Christmas." Dana and I said together, looking at each other after. That made everyone else laugh again as we shrugged. He sat up on the couch and pulled me to him. I turned my head away from everyone as I looked at Dana.

They all made their way into the living room with us as gifts were exchanged. After about an hour, my parents showed up and we all took turns exchanging. I was shocked by how much the boys knew about me as I opened each gift. Gabe got me another sweatshirt that I cried over, Will got me some more boots, David made me a phone case with pictures we had taken, and Cole got me an Adventure Time shirt. I laughed way harder than anyone at that and shook my head. I had gotten him a Regular Show shirt.

Everyone was sitting around and talking, Will playing the game I got him, when Dana took my hand. I looked at him and he tilted his head towards the steps so that we could go upstairs. We made our way there, not before Cole called out be safe. I was thankful our parents were in the kitchen unable to hear him. Once we reached his room, he sat me down on the bed and pulled out his gift for me. I smile at him as I reached for my bag.

"You go first." He told me and I agreed as I handed him his gift. He pulled out the jersey and his entire face lit up. "You did not!"

"Oh but I did!" I laughed at him while he held the jersey by his fingertips. He analyzed the front of it before turning it around. His eyes got even wider as he saw his last name printed on the back. I watched his admiration turn to understanding as he brought me closer. He placed the jersey next to him and leaned into me.

"Ninety-nine? I didn't think you would remember." He told me as he continued hugging me. How could I forget what brought us this close? The number ninety-nine was the song that was playing on the mix that Mack had created for the store when I first met Dana. We were both in the store when it came on and were both mesmerized. I was humming along while he sang it but I wasn't paying attention and wound up knocking him over. That's when we realized we went to the same school and started speaking. Later on I asked Mack what the song was and he said it was number ninety-nine on the playlist, Wonder Wall by Oasis.

It was amazing because neither of us had actually known the song but it was like we were connected when we first heard it. I would never forget something like that and I'm glad he didn't either. We were both sat down thinking about it until he snapped out of it.

"Okay, my turn." He said and got up to pick up the bag. I looked at it nervously before taking it in my hand. I pulled out a small box with an engraving that read 'For the only one who understands' and smiled. Sometimes it did feel like we were the only two people who understood each other and what we wanted. I opened the box and there sitting was a charm bracelet. There were about six charms on them but the one that caught my eye was the word 'Escape.'

I was brought back to the time when he would ask me why I was always wearing headphones. I had explained to him that sometimes when I am feeling really anxious or scared, if I have my headphones I can escape. He understood my love of music and how sometimes you just have to not be where you are and that music was my way out. I loved how quickly he got it then.