So This is Christmas

Chapter 10

~Two weeks later~

It was Christmas Eve, and Nirvana was having a show at a local club.  Shelli and I were both excited to watch our boyfriends perform again.  We were hanging out early before the show.  The guys were goofing around while they set up their equipment and Shelli and I were having some drinks.

"I can't believe how much things have changed for you during this break," said Shelli.  "I'm proud of you."

"Thanks." I grinned as I sipped my drink.  "It feels good to be doing what I want for once in my life."

"So are you excited to start art school?"

"So excited," I answered.  "I can't wait!"

"And you and Kurt?"

"He's so wonderful." I grinned.  "He's so sweet to me."

"I told you he was one of the good ones."

"You did.  You were right."

"Krist and Dave both told me they've never seen him this happy."

I grinned.  Things finally were starting to feel right with my life.  

"Hey, ladies," Dave, the drummer, approached us.  "Ready for a good show?"

"We are!" I answered.

"Good.  Krist and Kurt have been working really hard on this one."  

"Can't wait!" Shelli exclaimed.

Kurt walked over to me.  

"How are you, sweetheart?"

"I'm great," I answered, grinning.  

"Glad to hear it," he replied, before leaning down and giving me a soft kiss.  "I'll be thinking about you when I'm up there performing."

"I'll be thinking of you too."  He gave me another kiss.  

"We'll have our own party afterwards.  You're coming, right?"

"Wouldn't miss it for the world."

"Good."  

"Well, we better get back here.  The show's about to start."  

"You're going to be be great.  I just know it.  Have fun."

The show was a lot of fun.  I loved listening to Kurt perform.  He was so talented.  This was my life now, and I loved it.  I couldn't have been happier.  

_______________________________________________

Back at Krist and Shelli's the party was in full swing.  Shelli had put up a cute little Christmas tree.  It was a little crooked and boasted colored lights and mismatched, homemade ornaments.  I thought it had character.  

Krist was wearing a Santa hat and fixing red and green shots for everyone.  I was hanging out on the couch, enjoying a decent buzz. As I glanced around the room, watching my friends laughing, talking and dancing, I got a warm, fuzzy feeling inside.  I belonged here.  This felt like home.  I grinned as Dave snapped photos of everyone. I watched Kurt as he downed a shot and gave me a smirk, raising his eyebrows.  I couldn't believe how lucky I was.

The upbeat music stopped and "Merry Christmas, Darling" by The Carpenters started to play.  Kurt appeared in front of me, holding out his hand.  

"May I have this dance?" he asked grandly, chuckling.  

"Of course, my dear," I answered, giggling.  I grabbed his hand and stood up.  We danced, holding each other close.  The rest of the room faded away and there was only me and Kurt.  I took comfort in his electric blue eyes that stared warmly into my own.  

Neither of us were great dancers, but as we swayed together, dressed in our jeans, flannel shirts and tennis shoes, I felt more grand than I had at any Christmas party I'd attended before.  

"I'm really happy you're here with me," Kurt said to me softly.

"I'm really happy too," I answered, grinning.  Kurt leaned forward and pressed a kiss against my lips.  I felt the now familiar rush of electricity and warmth that radiated around us and my heart soared in my chest.  I felt like I was floating as we danced.

"I'm so lucky to have you," Kurt whispered.

"I'm the lucky one," I answered.  Kurt shook his head and kissed me softly again.  

I could hardly believe I'd found happiness, right here in the moment.  My future was uncertain.  I didn't know what path I would choose, but I knew that the choice would be mine alone.  I'd spent all of my life so far living for other people and their expectations.  Now I was finally going to live for myself.  

For the moment I was completely content to be here having fun with my friends, and with the guy who had convinced me to be myself--the guy who'd seen me for myself when even I couldn't see it.  No matter what the future held, everything was alright for now.  I had a place where I belonged, I had Kurt, and I had the chance to follow my dreams.