December 2015
The day started with games and activities and music. People were filling themselves with food and drinks and a lot of laughter. When the secret Santa activity was about to start, I began to feel sick in my stomach. I left the room not before sharing a last glance with Beatrice and quickly went to the restroom. I stayed in the last cubicle for at least 15 minutes, when I was sure the activity would be done. I looked at my watch. The activity was sure to be done by now. So I went back.
"Hurry up Louise! Open it up already!"
I turned to look at the blonde girl, (who I know now is Louise) open her neatly packaged gift. It was a CD with a book that has a lot of pretty boys on the cover, a pretty card thingy and a poster of a lot of pretty boys. I don't really get it but Beatrice must've bought her the right gift because Louise was screaming happily and jumping up and down.
"OMG! OMG! This is BT* latest album! OMIGOD!! My secret Santa is the freaking best!" she gushed happily towards her friend.
On the other side of the room, a crowd has formed around Beatrice.
"Oh Bee, you didn't get anything?" a girl with a high ponytail said worriedly
"Who could it be?" another girl asked
"Could it be that quiet girl, what's her name?" tan-skinned girl with too much make-up asked accusingly.
They're onto you. They're gonna find out and they'll all hate you.
A knot formed in my stomach and I felt sick again.
"What are you guys talking about? I got a gift, see?" Beatrice said holding up a beautifully wrapped gift. "I'm just not opening it here. I always wait until Christmas to open my gifts."
I was saved but I couldn't help but wonder, who gave her a gift?
The party quickly ended and I was already packing up to go home.
"Bea! You're coming to the after-party at Josh's house, right?" the girl with too much make-up asked.
Oh there was an after-party. Without meaning to, I leaned in to listen to Beatrice's reply.
"I'm sorry Haley, I can't. I promised my friend that we'd meet at the swings today."
My heart thundered in my chest.
"Where's that?" a guy asked.
"Oh somewhere far. I promised her I'd bring treats for her black kitty." Beatrice replied.
My palms got sweaty. I looked over her direction. She was still speaking with her friends but she looked at me with a knowing smile.
I left and ran. I ran as fast as I could back home. I didn't want to meet her. I might scream at her again. I hurriedly opened the front door and raced to my room and shut the door behind me.
You don't wanna be hated
I don't wanna be hated.
The gift I had for her was childish and stupid. I can't meet her.
I began pacing in my room when my phone rang. For a second, I thought she called. To my relief, it was my brother.
"Hey, what's up?"
"Hey Viv, whats going on? We just saw dad and his family at the airport, why weren't you with them?"
A lump formed in my throat. My ears hot.
