Charlie’s POV
I awoke to the sound of jingle bells ringing in my ear, along with ‘We Wish You A Merry Christmas’ playing through Nora’s phone.
Did I ever mention that older siblings are annoying? Because I still stand by it.
And she ruined the most perfect dream, but I won’t get into details with that right now.
“Let me sleep!” I groaned.
“Get up bitch! It’s time to open presents!” That’s when I realised it wasn’t Nora.
My eyes shot open to see my cousin, Danielle standing over me.
“Danielle? What are you doing here?” I wondered, still tired.
“We got in late last night.” She stated.
“Who is we?” I dreaded to to think.
“Mom, Dad, and my brother and sister, duh!” She hugged me.
Danielle is my first cousin on my dad’s side. When we were younger, we were inseparable, until her mom and dad packed up and moved them to the other side of the country.
I dragged myself out of bed and followed her downstairs.
“You look so different.” She observed.
“Well, it has been a few years since we last saw each other.” I stated as we reached the bottom of the staircase.
“Look at how grown up you are!” My Aunt Georgina embraced me. She smelled like frankincense.
“Merry Christmas, Aunt Georgina.” I said when she released me.
“Merry Christmas to you too.” She smiled, pinching my cheeks.
At what age do grownups think it’s too weird to pinch a child’s cheeks?
“Damn, Charlie. Santa Claus truly came to town for you.” Danielle stated.
Mom, Nora and I had set up the Christmas tree yesterday. At first, Mom said she didn’t want one, but I guess she changed her mind when she knew that Danielle and her family were spending Christmas with us.
I entered the living room and was met with a mess of torn wrapping paper and a bunch of opened presents.
I guess they started without me.
There were at least thirteen presents that were still beneath the tree, that I could see anyways.
“Are these all mine?” I asked.
“Yep.” Nora said from the couch.
I picked up the first present I could reach, read who it was from, and eagerly tore the wrapper off. It was a gift from Nana Margaret and Grandpa Otis.
They were a pair of retro Nike Jordans?
I guess they’d go good with a few of my outfits…
I opened another present, this time it was from Nora.
I had gotten her a fancy necklace from the antique store, along with a blue care bear that I had found. It looked exactly like one she had when she was younger, so she was pretty happy about it.
She had gotten me a record player?
“Thanks.” I smiled before opening another present, I could feel everyone’s eyes drilling into me.
My mom had gotten me a bunch of brand new books, a drone and AirPods?
“Thanks mom and dad.” I smiled.
“You’re welcome.” Mom spoke for the both of them.
If I’m being honest, I rather preferred using regular earphones. But I guess I shouldn’t be ungrateful.
The rest of the remaining presents were from Nana Margaret and Grandpa Otis.
A bunch of clothes, a watch, a hand-knitted Christmas sweater and an iPhone!
My mom’s jaw dropped when I tore off the wrapping of the iPhone. “Margaret, I swear to god!” Mom cursed, digging into her pockets for her phone, no doubt to ring up my grandparents and give them an earful.
“Nice.” Nora said.
“What did they get you?” I asked her.
In response, she dangled a car key in her hand, causing my mouth to fall open. “Really?” I asked, not believing it.
She gestured to the window. I followed her gesture and saw a brand new car out on the driveway, bright red like a giant can of cola.
“Mom, what did I tell you about spending too much money on my children?” My mom complained over the phone.
I let out a laugh.
~
Both Ella and Clayton arrived at my place for Christmas dinner. Mom agreed that the more the merrier.
Ella got Clayton and I matching best friend jumpers, along with a gift box full of Christmas snacks.
Clayton, on the other hand, got me a twenty dollar voucher at the Harpy’s Nest.
I didn’t know what to get them, so I just bought Clayton a giant mug and Ella a set of scented candles.
As for my parents.
I got my dad a fancy flask and decanter set, and I bought my mother a one-hundred and thirty dollar emerald necklace.
I had texted Ace earlier and asked him if he wanted to come over after Christmas dinner, but no reply.
Maybe he’s having a busy day? I mean, it is Christmas.
After having a decent Christmas dinner, Ella, Clayton and I hung out in my bedroom, watching Christmas movies and eating the snacks that Ella had gifted us.
“So, Ryan told us about the break up.” Ella stated.
Right, I had totally forgotten to tell them, seeing as was sick afterwards. Then again, I could have easily texted them. Why didn’t I text them?
“Oh.” Was all I could manage to say.
My bedroom door swung open, revealing Danielle.
“Here you guys are, why y’all hiding?” She wondered, entering the room and taking a seat on my already at full capacity bed.
“We’re watching a movie.” I responded.
“Okay.” She started watching the movie as well.
I rolled my eyes. “Anyways, what did Ryan say?” I asked both Ella and Clayton.
They were hesitant to speak.
“What did he say?” I asked again.
“He said that you broke up with him for Ace?” Ella answered.
Great, why doesn’t he just open his mouth and tell the rest of earth’s population?
“Oooh, drama.” Danielle pursed her lips.
“I didn’t dump him for Ace. I dumped him because I didn’t like him anymore.” I groaned. “Why were you guys hanging around him anyways?”
“He’s Tom’s cousin.” Ella stated.
“He’s an ass.” I swore.
I took a bite of one of Nana Margaret’s Christmas cookies before continuing to watch the movie.
“Okay, this movie is boring. Bye guys.” Danielle exited the room.
After a silent moment, Ella spoke. “She’s so annoying.”
Yeah, she is. Guess it’s a Harrington family trait.
“Do you like Ace?” Clayton asked.
My heart skipped a beat at the mention of his name. “Uhhh.”
“Charlie, you can tell us.” Ella encouraged.
I inhaled a deep breath before speaking again.
“Yes.” I sighed in defeat.
“I knew it!” Clayton punched me in the arm.
“Ow! Why?” I stuttered.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to punch that hard.” He gave an apologetic smile.
“No wonder you broke up with Ryan. I mean, sure, Ryan’s cute. But Ace is like…. Damnnnn.”
Clayton and I both gave Ella a weird look.
“What?” She raised her eyebrows.
“What would Tom say about you commenting on Ace Caldwell’s appearance?” Clayton wondered.
There’s that heart skip again.
She took a bite from a candy cane. “He would probably agree.”
Clayton and I doubled down on the weird look.
“He’s not into guys!” She laughed. “Straight guys can admit when other guys are handsome.”
Sure….
I pulled out my phone again to see if Ace had texted back.
Seen 2hours ago.
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