I Found Myself Falling...Not For the Right Thing Either

“I love it!” Katie said, smiling like crazy. I glanced up to see her holding up a pink and white blouse that Jake had gotten her.

“I was hoping so. I’m not so good at picking things out for girls.” Ian started laughing like crazy with Craig and Jared, obviously making fun of the fact that Jake didn’t normally get girls gifts. He wasn’t really the type of guy to date a girl long enough to actually buy them a gift. I couldn’t help, but giggle also.

I suddenly felt someone’s hand on my shoulder and I looked up to see my mother. She was smiling like she always was. It was contagious too. She made an epidemic with it. It would just spread from one person to another. I guess all smiles were.

“Thank you.” She said, pulling me into a quick hug. I had gotten her a pair of shoes that I had seen her totally gawk at during one of our days out and we were passing a little boutique in the city.

“No problem.” I told her. “You deserve them.”

We were almost finished opening gifts when I came to Kent’s gift. It was a medium sized box and I couldn’t help, but wonder what was in it. The wrapping paper was a simple Christmas design with a Christmas tree and gifts under it repeating all over. I picked at the tape slowly knowing that his eyes were watching me. It scraped off slowly and then I moved to the other side.

“Geez Rae, it’ll be Halloween by the time you finish opening it.” Jake commented. I couldn’t help, but laugh and then I pulled at the paper more forcefully. It came off easily and then laid in my lap a navy blue box. It was kind of heavy, but not too heavy. I shook it pretending to think of what it was, but I was really just wasting time to get Kent anxious. I knew he really wanted to see my face when I opened it.

“Rae.” Kent groaned and I laughed again, stopping my act and pulling the top off of the box.

There in the red and green tissue paper was a dark brown suede pea coat. My jaw dropped slightly as I pulled the winter coat from the box that it was in. I didn’t know how he fit it in there, but it totally threw me off.

“Do you like it?” Kent asked. I looked over at him and smiled wide.

“I absolutely love it!” I told him, wrapping my arms around him and giving him the biggest hug. When we pulled away I gave him a sweet kiss. His arms slithered around my waist and held me against him for a few seconds longer and then we both pulled apart.

“I’m glad.” He mumbled showing off his amazing smile. I pulled the jacket out and far enough so I could see all of it. It was so soft and it looked really warm. “I got you a medium because I really didn’t know your size.” I laughed.

“A medium should be just fine.” I quickly undid the buttons and slid my right arm into its sleeve and then the left into its sleeve. It fit perfectly. The hem came to my hips and the sleeves came just to the ends of my wrists. I quickly did up the buttons and then turned to show him.

“Looks great.” He told me, pecking my lips quickly again not wanting to stay too long in front of everyone like some couple had been doing the whole night.

“Thank you.” I told him undoing the buttons. I couldn’t wear it in the house. I’d sweat to death with the heat and the fireplace on. I was just comfortable in my long-sleeved dress. I folded it neatly and set it on the rest of my pile of clothes.

I had a few other pieces of clothing from people. I had gotten a pair of jeans I had wanted from Katie, a cardigan from James and a sweatshirt from Jared. Jake had gotten me a scarf and tank-top I had seen and wanted back in the summer before school had started. I got some other gifts like a camera from my parents and a pair of sunglasses from Ian.

“Are we all done?” My father asked noticing that everyone had finished unwrapping their gifts and were now trying on some of the things.

“I think so.” Jake said, piling his gifts neatly.

“Desert’s ready!” My mother called from the kitchen. Without another word Jared, Ian and Jake raced Katie and James into the dining room. Katie had always been one to love food. I remember when we were little and had food eating contests. She would always win. Liz and I would get full halfway through and just watch as her and Jake would continue going.

“Guess we’re behind.” Kent mumbled, putting his hand out in front of me. I took and got up from the couch following him. Just then the doorbell rang and I stopped. My father looked at me and I nodded.

“I’ll get it.” Kent nodded and started towards the dining room where I went the opposite way down the hallway and to the front door. As soon as I opened it I was tackled down to the floor hitting it with a thud. A loud groan erupted from my lips as my head slammed against the hardwood floor.

“Rae Rae!” I shook my head trying to get the pain from it. I closed my eyes to blink a few times feeling some aches in other places on my body before realizing who had tackled me.

“Henry!” I cried, pulling the little seven year old into a big hug.

“Oh my goodness, Rae, are you okay?” I looked up to see Mr. and Mrs. Moore in the doorway. I nodded slowly, trying to sit up and pull Henry up with me.

“I’m good.” I said, regaining my balance. “Everyone’s in the dining room. You’re just in time for desert.” They both smiled at me and nodded.

“Come on Henry. Leave Rae alone.” Henry’s mom scolded him. “You’ve already tackled her.” Henry pouted and stuck his tongue out.

“She’s my girlfriend.” He said, running over to me again and hugging my leg. I couldn’t help, but laugh at his cuteness.

“I think you should tell Kent that.” I whispered in his ear. He grinned and ran off towards the dining room. I followed swiftly behind him. Everyone was already seated once again except for my dad who was grabbing seats for Mr. and Mrs. Moore and Henry. I noticed Henry whispering something in Kent’s ear and his lips curved downward. Henry pulled back and then Kent leaned down and whispered something into Henry’s ear. They both nodded and then Henry stuck out his pinky finger and Kent took it with his own. “What are we doing here?” I asked breaking their little conversation.

“Kent said I can have you as soon as you’re done with him.” Henry said smiling happily. I chuckled.

“Is that going to be soon?” I asked, laughing at his cuteness.

“Um…” He looked at Kent then at me and nodded. “Yupp.” Kent’s jaw dropped in fake shock.

“I guess he doesn’t think we’re meant to be.” Kent told me, pouting slightly. I leaned in and gave his lips a quick kiss before saying,

“He’s seven, what does he know.” Kent smiled up at me and then I was pushed into my seat by Henry who then pulled a chair up next to me.

“We’ll just have to wait and see.” Kent muttered in ym ear.

“I bet the fortune teller didn’t see this one.” I mumbled under my breath.

“What?” Kent asked. I jumped slightly not knowing her heard me.

“Oh nothing, I saw a movie.” I lied. He nodded and then turned to his slice of apple pie without questioning me. It hurt to know he accepted every lie I said.

♥

“No.” I heard almost immediately.

“Why not?” I cried. Katie only laughed.

“You and Monopoly, it’s so annoying! The game’s not even that fun.” My jaw dropped in awe and I gasped.

“You’re only saying that because you can’t win!” I shot back at Jake. Ever since we were little I had been obsessed with Monopoly. I had every one you could imagine from the original to Hello Kitty Monopoly all the way down to the new Electronic Monopoly. Every Christmas I had gotten one. This year was one of the first that I had actual said I could go without another one. Our basement had a corner basically dedicated to my Monopoly boxes.

“I can never win because you always cheat!” I gasped again.

“I do not!” I yelled at him. “I’m offended. I’ve never cheated at Monopoly in my whole life!” I said crossing my fingers. I had cheated one time and that was only to beat Craig and Jake who were on a team. They had almost the whole board filled with hotels and I only had the oranges and three houses on eat so I stole a few hundreds so I was still in and not bankrupt.

“Whatever, but no Monopoly tonight.” I frowned.

“Whatever.” I shot back. Everyone was laughing at me by the time we had finished the argument.

“What if we play truth or dare or something?” James suggested just as Katie said, “Spin the bottle!” They both looked at each other and laughed. We all glanced over at Craig and Liz who we currently making out like crazy. We all came down here to get rid of our parents for the rest of the night and Henry came with us.

“Can you two keep it PG?” Ian asked. “Rae and Kent have the decency to and there are little eyes.” He said, jerking his head to the side where Henry sat, in my lap of course!

“My eyes aren’t little.” Henry said crossing his arms. I forgot he was seven and could catch onto things quicker than he used to.

“Well I think spin the bottle is already being played with them two so, what about truth or dare?” They all looked around and finally nodded, agreeing.

“Who wants to go first?” I asked. They all shrugged, but when I heard a shriek I internally groaned.

“I will!” Liz’s voice chimed in. Wow. She finally pulled her lips away from Craig, surprise, surprise. Katie seemed to agree with me because I saw her eye roll as she leaned back in the bean bag chair she was sitting in. I couldn’t help, but let me eyes wander to where Craig was still sitting with what looked like relief all over his face.

I raised an eyebrow. Was he relieved that Liz wasn’t all over him? I felt Henry lean back into me, but I didn’t take my eyes off of Craig. I couldn’t read him and it was bothering me. He was with Liz, but whenever she wasn’t around he was almost, happier. He wasn’t his grumpy self the day when we were at the mall and she wasn’t around. He was actually quite sweet especially when we were chased out of Dick’s Sporting Goods and looking at jewelry.

My eyes must’ve been there for a while because I noticed Craig staring straight back at me, his lips curving upward into a small smirk and my cheeks burned as I turned my head quickly. Why did I keep looking at him like that? He must think that I keep checking him out or something.

Geez Rae. Get a hold of yourself.

“Dare.” Left Liz’s lips and I looked up. She was never one to pick truth and neither was I. It was just our thing. Picking truth was for wimps as we would say. At least one thing didn’t change about her…

“Hmm, alright, I dare you to,” Jared stopped for a moment before grinning and finishing, “go upstairs and ask Mr. Moore if your boobs look too small in that dress.” We all burst out laughing and Liz’s face fell. That was a total surprise from Jared.

“No way! I’m dating his son!” She argued. Jared replied, stifling his laughter,

“Do it or you use your only chicken.” He said, tauntingly. The way we played you got one chicken for dares. You could use it to get out of something you were totally uncomfortable with doing, but nobody ever used them. They were just there in case you totally hated what the person dared. I had never used one. I was close when I was dared to make out with James, but I did it anyways. He was one of my best friends and he was gay so it wouldn’t mean anything for him.

We all watched carefully as Liz scowled. I could tell by the look on her face that she didn’t want to do it, but when she pushed herself up and off of the floor and headed up the stairs, we all exchanged glances. She still wouldn’t refuse a dare, but the way she turned back down and ran down the stairs back to her spot made me frown.

“I’ll use my chicken.” As soon as the words left her lips Katie’s and James’ faces fell. I frowned not holding back. I took everything back. She had totally changed. She never would’ve done that before all of this, never. She was actually the braver between her and I. When she sat down next to Craig he just rolled his eyes, not looking at her.

“Wimp.” James muttered under his breath before he took the pencil Ian had found and spun it in a circle on the table since we didn’t have a bottle handy to spin. As soon as the sharpened tip slowed down I was kind of nervous. The next dare was going to be worse then the first just to show whoever it landed on that Liz was totally a wimp. Finally the pencil stopped, but it pointed no where. It was close to me, but it wasn’t exactly on me. It was between me and Craig who sat across from me, but not next to me.

James frowned, “Well that sucked.” I saw Katie’s lips curve back into a devious grin and then she pressed her lips against James’ ear. We all waited for the two to be done and as soon as Katie pulled away James had the same look on his face.

“Oh no.” I mumbled as they both looked at me then at Craig. I saw Kent stiffened next to me. I swear if she made me do anything with Craig, I was going to kill her and also James since he was picking out the dare, or truth.

“Since it landed between you two, we think that you should both go,” James paused, “together.” I gulped. The truth would not be a good one to pick either, especially if Katie had helped make it up. I looked over at Craig and he was staring right at me.

“Dare.” He said, obviously getting my look and understanding what I was thinking with the whole truth thing. The kiss would definitely come up and I didn’t want it too. Kent shifted uncomfortably next to me before I answered also.

“Dare.” James seemed a little less pleased for our decision, but then smiled wickedly again. I sent James a look warning him that if he had us kiss I’d kill him.

“You two have to run around the house and down the street, in the snow,” He added, “in your underwear.” I glared at James. It was like below zero out and he knew neither of us would back down!