Page 76 of Not in My Book

Back home, my mom would wake us up early with “Ay, Ay, Ay, It’s Christmas” by Ricky Martin and make us peel potatoes and shell hardboiled eggs. My sister and I would be covered in food by noon and if we’d complain, then my mom would just point at the Christmas tree with all our presents lovingly wrapped underneath it. Then my tíos and tías would come over with their families for dinner—which would last for hours, everyone filling our house with chatter and laughter. My Tío Alejandro would get too drunk, and my dad would try not to roll his eyes and when he inevitably did, my mom would elbow him. Then when midnight would hit, we’d open all of our gifts and dance and talk until three in the morning.

It was so quiet now, though. I moved gingerly as if, if I made even the smallest noise, I’d disturb the roaches lurking in the corners of my apartment.

It was nearly noon. I’d spent the morning writing chapters and going over my fellowship application yet again. It wasChristmas.InNew York.It felt anti-Christmas to stay indoors all day.

I knew Jess was going home, but I couldn’t remember when. And maybe Tyler and Logan were still here? I pulled out my phone and texted our group chat (which had been renamed toho ho hoes)

Rosie:anyone still in the city? i was thinking of hitting up rockefeller to see the tree?? maybe hot cocoa at central park

Jess:my flight leaves today i’m on my way to JFK:(

Tyler:I’ve been home since last week. Sorry.

Logan:on a train to Westchester but i’ll get hot cocoa w u when i get back tho!!!

I groaned, tossing my phone on the couch next to me and picking up my laptop again. I was working chapters ahead of Aiden at this point. We were supposed to alternate chapters but I went ahead and wrote three consecutive ones. It’s not like I had anything better to do, and I figured it was best to churn it out while the words flowed freely. When I finally reached a good stopping point, I texted Aiden absentmindedly that I had finished, like I always did.

I was queuing upFrosty the Snowmanwhen my phone rang. It wasAiden’sname flashing across the screen. I tossed my phone away from me, unsure what to do. But it kept ringing and ringing. Finally the ringing stopped—only to start up again when he called right back. I snatched it up quickly, contemplating for a moment before clicking the green button. “Aiden?”

“Why are you doing homework on Christmas Eve?” he asked, worry tinting his voice.

“Hi, hello. How are you?” I said pointedly. “Merry Christmas.”

“Answer my question.”

“I already told you. I’m doing nothing for Christmas.Theseare my Christmas plans.”

The other line was quiet for so long that I pulled my phone away from my ear just to check if he’d hung up. He hadn’t. Well, in for a penny, in for a dime. I already had Aiden on the phone, so I mustered up some courage and said, “Aiden, you know I’ve been meaning to ask you something.” I sucked in a breath. “Remember how I told you I was applying for the Frost Fellowship?”

He was quiet for a moment. “Yes, I remember.”

“Would you look over my submission?”

“What?”

“Will you look over my submission?” I pulled the doc up on my computer. “It’s due in a couple weeks, and I really want to be selected this year. I’ve been working like crazy on my piece. And I know you’ll tell me if what I’ve written is shitty or not, and I trust your judgment since we’re quasi-friends now and—”

“Rosie, it’s Christmas Eve,” he interrupted.

“Well you don’t have to read ittonight.”

He exhaled sharply and said, “No, that’s not what I meant. Of course I’ll look at it … but you shouldn’t be working on Christmas Eve.” He paused for a second and said, “Meet me in Union Square.”

My head jerked back. “What? Now?”

“Yes.”

My heart was beating with so much hope that I didn’t allow myself to believe it. “Aiden, I’m not going to force you to—”

“You’re not forcing me. I’m asking you.”

“But you said you wanted us to keep some distance …” I was pushing him, I knew that. Aiden giveth and Aiden taketh away. But I was confused. I’d rather spend Christmas Eve by myself than with someone who didn’t really want to be with me.

“I know, I know. I was wrong, Rosie, I shouldn’t have said that.” He sighed, and it sounded a lot like he was letting go of something that had been weighing him down. “Rosie. Will you go to Union Square with me?”

I smiled, pressing my ear closer to my phone as if that would somehow get me closer to Aiden. “I can be there in an hour.”

“I’ll see you then.”

---