A Different Christmas Vacation

Chapter Nine

In the morning, I was sleeping on the couch by myself. I’d let myself fall into a lying-down position after Jordan had left. I hadn’t even noticed he’d left, but that was probably a good thing because I probably would’ve begged him to stay like I had on Christmas Eve and more accusations would fly.

Feeling much better when I got up, I put on some of the Miss Me jeans that were given to me by Chloe and Blake, a Pink sweatshirt on top of a simple tank top, and a pair of grey tall Uggs.

I walked downstairs where Joshua and another girl were serving breakfast. I sat down next to Blake at the table. Chloe was at the head and Mom and Blake flanked him. Everyone else was still sleeping.

As Joshua brought me waffles drizzled with syrup and strawberries, blueberries, and chocolate chips on top, Mom asked how I was feeling.

“Much better,” I told her and cut out a piece of the two stacked waffles.

“You don’t seem to have a fever anymore,” Chloe said.

I nodded and took a bite out of my waffles. The chocolate tasted so good in the morning!

“What would you like to drink, Reina?” the girl asked.

“Milk is fine,” I told her.

“Whole, skim, or two percent?” she asked.

“Uh, two percent, please.”

“Sure thing,” she said and went back to the kitchen to get my drink.

“So how are things with you and Jordan going?” Chloe asked.

“Good, great even,” I told them and took another bite.

“That necklace he gave you looked pretty expensive. Are you sure he’s not being too generous?” my mom asked.

“No, Mom. He just cares for me.” I wasn’t going to say love because that might’ve been a little too much for her to hear three days into a relationship, especially with someone like Jordan.

“I just want you to be careful,” she said. My parents still aren’t so sure if he’s using me and are still being very protective over our relationship when they can.

“I know, Mom, but I trust him. I know he wouldn’t hurt me.”
“Things are different in his world, just remember that.”

The tension in the room was almost unbearable. I ate my waffles and accepted the milk from the girl after thanking her. I was about to ask to be excused, but Henry came downstairs and everyone found a new interest in him, releasing the tension in the room.

Mom continued to ask Henry about what he’d done with his Christmas presents and what he’d done with his day. While they continued to talk, I asked Chloe if I could be excused and she approved.

I went back upstairs and instead of going to my room, knocked on Jordan’s door. His hair was messily tousled, but still hot. He was wearing plaid pajama pants and was shirtless, showing off his six pack abs.

“Good morning,” I said.

He yawned before answering the same.

For a minute, we stood there kind of awkwardly. 

“Do you want to come in?” he suggested.

“Sure,” I said. He moved to the side so I could come in. He closed the door and I stood beside him. Like it often did, his hand found mine. He led me towards the couch and we sat down together.

“So this is the room I was supposed to get,” I said and admired everything about it. The windows were large across the south wall and showcased the garden just like Chloe had said.  Just in front of the window display was a black grand piano with a beautiful acoustic guitar sitting on a simple rubber stand. Aunt Chloe was right, that was a very good guitar, I could see it from all the way over here.