Page 3 of Forever Foolish

“Maybe,” she said begrudgingly and saw him soften slightly.

“Then me too,” J.J. replied. “I’ve got two seats held, and I thought maybe we could have some cake too – unless you think you can’t stand being around me for more than ten minutes because of my last name.”

“I can stand it,” she said, lifting her nose. “Can you?”

“Easily,” he bragged, puffing up his chest arrogantly.

“Fine,” she bit out.

“Exactly. Fine.”

“Good.”

“Are we still doing this?”

“Can you carry two cups?”

“I’ve got two hands, don’t I?”

“Same,” he retorted, picking up two slices of cake as she grabbed two cups, sloshing it slightly and ignoring the curious looks that some of the adults were giving them.

“Cake and eggnog.”

“That’s it.”

“Perfect. Merry freakin’ Christmas to me.”

“Yup. Happy freakin’ holidays…” he grumbled, leading her to the two folding chairs near the corner of the hangar. They both sat down awkwardly, exchanging items so that they each had a slice of cake and a cup of eggnog, eating silently and looking anywhere but at each other, and then she heard him.

“I missed you last year,” he began in a hushed voice, causing her to look to her left where he was sitting – only to see him holding a small gift bag. “Merry Christmas, Chloe.”

“What’s that?”

“A Christmas present.”

“For me?”

“No, for Mateo… yes, it’s for you.”

Blinking owlishly, stunned and speechless, she set her plate down gingerly on a table nearby and accepted the bag – only to realize J.J. was slightly ruddy on his cheeks. Was he blushing?

“You didn’t have to get me anything…” she began and hesitated.

“It’s just something small – well, a few somethings since you missed a few of these get-togethers. I just shoved them in one bag.”

Startled, Chloe looked at J.J. with surprise and awareness. He was eighteen now, two years older than her, and maturing.Sweetandcutehad matured intomanlyandhandsomewithout her realizing it. For the last few years, she had not wanted to come visit because it was just easier not seeing him, avoiding the way she felt, or feeling intimidated being here – knowing that it always came with a feeling of shame after the party. The curious looks from everyone made her feel like a freak or a leper; so much thather hands were trembling as she pulled the first present from the bag.

“What’s this?”

“Open it,” he urged quietly, chuckling as she tore the wrapping paper to reveal a small, plastic Hello Kitty address book. “I got that for you a few years ago, and while it’s probably childish – I thought I would give you my phone number, too.”

“Oh,” she whispered, smiling awkwardly at him in awareness. “I’ll give you mine again.”

“Thank you,” he said softly. “Keep going.”

“There’s more?”

“Well, one more for last year’s Christmas gift – and one for this year.”

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