by E. L. Todd
Someone approached our table, but I was so absorbed in my thoughts I wasn’t paying attention.
“Hey, Beatrice,” Theo said.
I was pulled back to reality. My eyes moved to hers. “Hey.” I sat up straight, realizing I was slouching.
“Is everything okay?” she asked. Her hair was pulled back in a slick ponytail, and she wore tight jeans with heeled boots. A red cardigan made her look classy. I usually hated it when girls put their hair up, but she looked beautiful no matter what she did.
“Yeah…I just got some news I didn’t expect.”
“Oh, well I hope everything is alright.” She had a brown bag over her shoulder.
“What are you doing down here?” I asked. She usually stayed on the second floor.
“Well, I remember you mentioned you come down here sometimes…”
She came down here just to see me? “Yeah, my friends and I claimed this table freshman year.”
Silke was smiling at her then giving me a distinct look.
I ignored her then tapped the seat next to me. “Would you like to join us?”
“Sure.” She moved into the seat beside me and put her purse down.
“Aren’t you going to introduce me to your…friend?” Silke gave me a threatening look. I knew she would tease me mercilessly once Beatrice was gone.
I turned to Beatrice. “This is my annoying friend, Silke. Silke, this is my friend, Beatrice.”
They shook hands.
“How do you know Conrad?” Silke asked.
“We met a few months ago at a speed dating event,” Beatrice said. Her voice was deep and hypnotic. “We’ve been friends ever since.”
Silke nodded her head slowly. “Conrad…friends with a girl?”
I threatened Silke with my eyes, telling her not to say something stupid.
Silke took the hint and fell silent.
There was an awkward silence at the table. I felt it, and so did the others. I knew Silke had a million questions for me. She knew there was no way in hell I’d just be friends with a woman as gorgeous as Beatrice. I’d never brought a girl around my friends before so I knew Silke would assume the worst.
“I’m excited for Christmas,” Theo said. “My mom makes the best pecan pie.”
“My mom’s is better,” Silke argued.
“I’m just excited to see everyone,” I said.
“You mean Roland,” Silke teased. “You love him.”
Theo shifted his weight uncomfortably. “I’m pretty cool to hang with…”
“Awe, Theo is jealous,” Silke said.
“Am not,” Theo snapped. “Are you bringing that mysterious boyfriend of yours?”
“Maybe,” she said vaguely.
“He better wear a bullet proof vest,” I said. “Because he’s going to be taking a lot of hits from us.”
She rolled her eyes. “If my dad and brother aren’t protective of me, then you don’t need to pick up the slack.”
“You’re still family,” I said.
“We’re like your brothers,” Theo said.
Beatrice smiled. “That’s so cute.”
“Are you coming to Christmas?” Silke asked Beatrice.
Beatrice flinched slightly, obviously uncomfortable by the question.
I wasn’t planning on asking her. We were just friends. But then I remembered she didn’t have a mom and she wasn’t speaking to her father. And she didn’t seem to have a relationship with her brother. Maybe I should ask her…
“Oh no,” Beatrice said gracefully. “But your family does sound lovely.”
I turned to her. “Would you like to?” I asked hesitantly. “You’re more than welcome.”
“Uh…” Beatrice tried to find a response.
“Our family is loud and fun,” Silke said. “You’ll have a great time. We usually play games and open gifts then get drunk. It’s pretty spectacular.”
Beatrice fidgeted with her hair.
“You don’t have to,” I said quickly. “But I know you would be welcome. My family always says the more, the merrier.”
She still didn’t say anything.
I felt bad for putting her on the spot. “Think about it and let me know later.” I hoped that would decrease the tension.
“Okay,” she said. “Thanks for the invite.”
“Sure,” I said.
Theo changed the subject and started talking about his work problems with that Alex girl. We listened but I still found it hilarious that a girl beat him up. I was curious to see what she looked like. If she was tiny, that would only make the story better.
Theo turned to Beatrice. “Sorry I asked if you were into anal when we first met.”
Silke blanched. “What did you ask her?”
Beatrice had the grace to smile. “It’s quite alright. I get that question a lot.”
“The answer to that is no,” I said with a smirk. “If you were still wondering.”
Silke hit Theo in the arm. “I can’t believe you asked her that.”
“What?” He shrugged. “It’s a reasonable question.”
“After you’ve been dating for a year, maybe,” Silke said.
“No, I need to know upfront,” Theo said. “How am I going to know if a girl is my future wife unless I ask?”
“Asking is the best way to guarantee she’ll run away,” Silke said.
“I’ve asked girls that before,” Theo said. “They didn’t have a problem with it.”
“Because they were whores,” Silke snapped.
“Did your boyfriend ask you that?” Theo asked.
“No.” Silke rolled her eyes.
“Are you lying?” Theo pressed.
“No!” Silke shook her head. “What’s wrong with you?”
“Have you?” Theo asked me.
“Maybe once or twice,” I said vaguely. Beatrice didn’t know I was a manwhore and I wanted to keep it that way. Since we were just friends it didn’t matter, but I didn’t want to scare her off either.
Silke gathered her things. “I’m out of here.”
“Good riddance,” Theo said.
“Go to hell,” Silke called back.
“You first,” Theo yelled.
I turned to Beatrice. “Sorry, my friends act like they’re five.”
“It’s okay,” she said with a chuckle.
“I should head out too.” Theo grabbed his backpack. “I’ll see you later.”
“Bye,” I said.
Theo winked at Beatrice. “Let me know if you change your mind about anal.”
Beatrice laughed loudly.
I gave him the death stare. “Talk to her like that again and I’ll break your face.”
Theo rolled his eyes. “Whatever.” Then he walked away.
“I’m sorry about that,” I blurted.
“It’s fine, really. Your friends are nice. They’re a breath of fresh air.”
“I guess they’re alright…”
“I’ve never had a friend that was considered family.”
“Well, we were raised together so it was pretty much forced,” I said with a laugh.
“And how did that happen?”
“Our parents are such good friends they’re family. That oddness carried on to us. If you come to Christmas, you’ll see what I mean.”
She looked down at the table and examined her nails.
“I’m sorry I put you on the spot. You don’t have to come if you don’t want to. But it’ll be fun. I’d rather you hang out with us than spend the holiday alone.”
“It does get pretty quiet…”
I didn’t press for an answer.
“Maybe you should ask your parents if it’s okay first.”
“Believe me, they’ll say yes. But if you want me to ask, I will.”
“And where would I stay?” she asked hesitantly.
“With my family, of course. We have extra bedrooms.”
“And they’ll be okay with that?”
“Seriously, it won’t be a bi
g deal. My family is very welcoming. If I brought a homeless person, they’d make them feel just as welcome.”
“Well, I guess you could ask…”
I smiled. “Great. You’ll have a good time, I promise.”
“Will the rest of your family ask if I like anal?” she teased.
I laughed. “I’ll make sure they don’t.”
Chapter Three
Theo
The studio was closing over Christmas break and I was eager for time off. I was also excited I didn’t have to see that nuisance for two weeks. Every time I looked at her, my body tensed in annoyance.
She was a snooty know-it-all. She had to be the best at everything and rub it in everyone’s faces. She was a pain in my backside. And just because she was beautiful didn’t dim all her imperfections. I wasn’t sure why everyone adored her. I wished she would just go away. I’d been looking for a job at a different studio just to avoid her. Every time I ran into her at work I wanted to scream.
After a long day of work, I walked into the locker room and showered. The warm water ran over me and made the chill escape. Then I dried myself off and tied the towel around my waist. Having a coed locker room wasn’t a problem until Alex started working there. I didn’t care if she saw me, but I didn’t want to see her. It was best if we just stayed away from each other.
I came around the corner and saw her with a towel around her body. She was facing the opposite way, putting lotion on her arms. Her shoulders was chiseled and defined with muscle. Her torso was long, making her curves more prominent. The top of her spine was noticeable because everything was so tight. She had wide hips that were covered under the towel. I stared at her for a second before I gathered my bearings, remembering how annoying she was. Then I noticed the scars. She had a long one down her neck and another on her right arm. I recalled her mentioning she was in an accident. That must be where they’re from.
“Can you get away from my locker?” I hissed.
She tightened the towel around her body and looked over her shoulder. “Excuse me?”
“You’re standing in front of my locker. Now go away.”
“My locker is here too, jackass.”
“I was here first.” I walked forward and got right behind her. My arm touched her bare back and I felt the warmth underneath. Then I pulled out my clothes, trying to pretend she was invisible.
“God, I feel sorry for you,” she snapped. “You’re the saddest person I’ve ever known. Were you the fat bully on the playground?”
“Were you the dorky girl sitting in the sandbox eating dirt?” I pulled my shirt on. “If me teaching you some manners makes me a bully, then fine. I accept that.”
“I’ve met a lot of jerks in my life but you have to be the worst.”
I gave her a straight face. “This is me caring.” I didn’t change my expression and kept staring at her. “And this is me not caring. Do you see any difference?”
“Fuck off.” She pulled her towel up and covered her chest.
“Same to you.”
“And Merry Christmas, Grinch.”
“I know Santa is going to bring you a box of coal because you’re nothing but a nuisance. I feel bad that your family has to sit through dinner with you. Do you annoy everyone you come in contact with?” I pulled the rest of my stuff out of my locker and didn’t look at her.
She grabbed her pile of clothes off the bench and hid her face.
“I’m sure your family hopes you aren’t coming home for Christmas this year.” I grabbed my jeans then pulled them on.
She carried all her things then headed to a different aisle.
When she was gone, I breathed easier. I hated looking at her. Just that pissed me off.
A moment later, she left the locker room with a bag over her shoulder. When I heard the door shut, I knew she was gone. “Good riddance…” I sat down then put on my shoes.
Gerald came in a second later then opened his locker. “Two weeks off. Excited?”
“Like you wouldn’t believe. School and work have been dictating my life for too long.”
“I know how that is,” he said with a laugh. “What are you doing for Christmas?”
“Seeing my family in New York. My mom makes awesome pecan pie. I’m excited for that.”
“Cool,” he said. “You’ll be gone the whole two weeks?”
“No, just for a few days. Then I’ll be back in my apartment playing video games and drinking beer.”
He laughed. “Sounds good.”
“What are you doing?”
“Going to California to see my family.”
“I guess you won’t be getting a white Christmas this year,” I teased.
“Actually, I’m excited to get away from the snow.”
“That’ll be nice,” I said.
“Alex is excited because she’s never been to California. We’re going to go to Disneyland while we’re there.”
I froze. “Alex? The girl who works here?”
“Yeah. She’s coming along.”
“Are you…together?” Gerald was so much older than her. I just couldn’t picture it.
“No,” he said with a laugh. “In my dreams. She doesn’t have a family so I invited her to spend the holiday with me.”
My heart sped up. “She doesn’t?”
“No, she’s an orphan.” He said it casually while he changed. “You didn’t know that?”
I shook my head.
He sighed then put on his shoes. “She’s a really cool person, Theo. You should give her a chance. If you did, I’m sure you’d like her.”
I stared at the ground, feeling sick.
“Something wrong?” he asked.
I took a deep breath. “Yeah. I’m an asshole.”
***
I got her address from Chan then headed to her apartment. It would be easier just to call her but that didn’t sound personal enough. When I found her apartment, I walked up to the door and knocked.
I still didn’t like her, but I hated myself for all the mean things I said to her. I was insensitive and didn’t know when to shut my mouth. What I said was really uncool.
She answered the door, her eyes guarded. “What?” Her lips were pressed together tightly, like she was forcing herself not to blurt whatever she was thinking.
“Uh, hi.” I had my hands in my pockets. Now that I was face-to-face with her, I wasn’t sure what to do or say.
“What?” she repeated. “What do you want?”
“I came here to apologize…”
Her reserve diminished slightly. “For what?”
“What I said in the locker room…I was being a dick.”
“Because you said Santa should bring me coal?” she asked incredulously. “No offense, but you have a lot more to apologize for than that. Of all the things you’ve said to me, that was probably the nicest.”
I ignored her hostility and tried to focus. “I just feel bad and I want to take it back…”
Her eyes narrowed in suspicion. Then they suddenly lightened like she realized something. “Gerald told you about me, didn’t he?”
I shrugged. “It might have come up…”
Now she was pissed. “You’re only apologizing to me because you feel bad for me. You don’t mean it. Theo, I don’t want your pity. I’m perfectly fine and I don’t need your sympathy. I prefer it when you’re a dick. At least you’re being honest.” She slammed the door in my face and locked it.
I sighed then walked away, knowing my visit was absolutely pointless.
Chapter Four
Silke
I finished my last minute Christmas shopping and somehow survived finals. I got my mom some new picture frames, my dad a fake tattoo sticker that said, “#1 Dad” and Slade a new guitar pick. They weren’t amazing gifts, but I was poor.
When I got home, I realized I still hadn’t put up my Christmas tree. Between school and Arsen, I just didn’t have time. I texted Arsen. What are you doing?
Thinking about y
ou.
I rolled my eyes. You always say that.
Well, it’s true.
Liar. Come over if you aren’t doing anything.
Maybe.
I rolled my eyes again and put my phone down.
I retrieved my fake tree and decorations from the closet and hauled it into the living room. I sorted through everything while I thought about Arsen. We hadn’t talked about giving him my virginity since it first came up. I had no idea what Arsen was thinking when I said that, but he did seem moved by the revelation. I pretty much told him my deepest and darkest feelings. I was just grateful he didn’t take off because the revelation scared him. He didn’t speak of it and neither did I.
When I had a feeling he was outside, I opened the door. “Seriously, knock.”
He stood with his hands in his pockets. He wore a gray hoodie with dark jeans, looking hot like usual. He shrugged but didn’t say anything.
I left the door open then walked inside. He followed me then shut the door behind him.
“Why don’t you ever knock?” I asked for the hundredth time. “Or just walk in?”
He didn’t answer my questions. He just looked at my Christmas decorations on the ground. “What’s this?”
“I got a late start decorating. I thought you could help me.”
He eyed it for a moment but didn’t say anything.
“I just need to put the tree in the base then tighten it. Can you help me?”
He grabbed the base then studied it, playing with the knobs. “I guess.”
I picked up the tree then adjusted it. “Can you hold the base?”
He dropped it but it was upside down.
“Turn it over.”
“Oh.” He turned it then held it still.
I put the tree in and held it upright. “Can you tighten the screws?”
He looked around before he adjusted them.
When I let go of the tree, it stayed still. “Great. Can you put the skirt down?”
“The skirt?” he asked.
“Yeah.” I handed him the fabric.
He held it in his hands then eyed it. He looked at the hole then rearranged it in his hands. It was like watching a child assemble a car engine.
“Have you never seen a tree skirt before?” I teased.
