35.

I had finally gotten over my illness. And not a minute too soon. It was a few days before Christmas, and break had been rather uneventful. My parents were finally starting to get along a little better. I think it's because my dad had finally called Archer and apologized. After all, it is a good time to forgive. Archer and Erysimum were gonna be coming for dinner, on Christmas Eve.

I had sat in my bed, playing games or watching T.V. At night, I would join my family and we would watch a Christmas movie. I hadn't really hung out with anybody, but I had gotten plenty of sleep. Harris' winter party is like, tomorrow. I am so not ready. I have to do something, and I have to hurt him which is kinda a downer. But then again, I am so ready.

Tyler has to go separately, so I'm getting ready with Riley. I'm gonna meet them there. I am currently pulling out my dress. It is a shiny white satin dress that falls to my knees. I have light gray boots to go with it. Riley runs up into my room. She looks breathless and tired. She is very late. I try not to look too annoyed. I grab her present, it's a little charm bracelet with inside jokes and important moments with her.

"Sorry, got stuck at home helping out my mum." She says. She's holding up a bag and has some shoes.

"No problem. Can you believe it's already Christmas? Speaking of which, I have a present for you." I throw the gift at her, and she catches it. It fits roughly in her palm. She opens the baggy, and dumps it out, and lets the bracelet fall into her palm. She spreads it out, and her eyes well up with tears.

"Oh, I love it. Thank you so much." She says, throwing her arms around me. I return her hung. She lets go and glances down guiltily. "I haven't been, entirely honest with you."

"What do you mean? About what?" I ask, trying to remain calm. It's probably nothing. She falls down onto my bed, and I perch on a little stool opposite her.

"Well, let's start somewhere easy. I know you've always wondered why I hate Erika so much. Well, she found out something personal, and she made fun of me for years. I didn't tell you why cause I hadn't admitted it to myself. So, uhm, yeah. And then I know you've always wondered why I never have had dates or ya know, have had a boyfriend. And then the whole 'Me screaming at you in the gym about being the jealous situation.' And then the whole of me being more distant than usual. And you're so great, and I trust you more than anything so, I'm gonna say it. Just, don't freak out." She takes a deep breath, and I try not to start throwing out ideas. It's probably nothing. What is she isn't okay, or something is seriously wrong and I haven't been paying enough attention or- "I'm gay." A feeling of relief filled me. I'm not really surprised. I mean, all the signs were there, after she had gone and laid them out for me. I just want her to be happy, and if that is who she is, who am I to tell her that it's wrong. In fact, it isn't. and I'm so glad she trusts me.

"Oh, that's all? I mean, I'm glad you told me. I was worried you were going to say something like, 'I have a life-threatening disease." I say, and her worry seems to melt away. She lets out a small laugh. In her leather jacket and ripped black jeans, she looks so badass. I wonder how I could've gotten a friend like her.

"Yeah, I mean. It's all good." Riley says, sounding so relieved. Her face has a calmer look now, the tension seemed to melt away.

"Wait, Erika found out?"

"Yeah, I had a minor crush on her back in the second grade and she's been making my life hell by blackmailing me. I mean, I didn't like boys. I thought she was so pretty. Anyways, she caught me staring and I was a horrible liar. She's mocked me ever since. I didn't even know how I felt back then. But she'd heard people talk, and she mocked me."

"Why didn't you tell me sooner? I thought it was just some weird, she's a popular cheerleader thing or something."

"Yeah, no."

"Wait, what does this have to do with the gym incident?"

"So, I had two reasons for that. Everything is just so easy for you. I mean, you can go out with anyone you want, you can afford to like Tyler or Harris. You don't have to worry about what your parents will think, you just have it so simple. It isn't like that for me. I haven't been able to tell my mum, what if she freaks out or disowns me. She feels like it's unnatural, wrong. She's told me before, and her ranting alone has been enough to keep me quiet. My second reason is that I had a crush on you for a while. And here you are, talking about this one guy who broke your heart and then I see that you're about to fall for another. I guess I was jealous that you didn't consider me. That's stupid. But, you don't seem to realize how guys are just trash. And you keep letting them hurt you." She explains. I try to compartmentalize the new information. Her being gay, no problem. The fact that she liked me is weird though. Because, well, I never even thought of her like that. But, I don't want to hurt her feelings. I'm not sure how I feel about that, but I know I'm going to be there for her no matter what.

"So... are you seeing someone?" I ask, and she immediately blushes, she doesn't meet my eyes.

"YOU ARE! How could you not tell me? How long, who is it, so I know her?" I ask she won't meet my eyes. She looks bashful, I don't care. I need to know. How dare my best friend not tell me that she has a b-girlfriend. Darn it, my stupid brain is hardwired.

"Yeah, well, it's been going on since November 18th. She goes to school on the West side of town, the other school. Well, I'm kinda a hypocrite but she's part of the gang. You've never met her, and I'm gonna meet her at the party. I'll introduce her to you. To obviously change the topic, Can you believe you're going to have to use the weapon. I mean, have you told Tyler you're going to kiss him? I hope it doesn't hurt your friendship with him. He is actually a good guy. You guys would be cute together." Riley says. She has such a bad girl vibe, it's weird to watch her sit here and gush.

"No, I'm going to let him know later tonight," I say, embarrassed.

"Yikes, are you sure you want to wait that long. I'm sure that's not how you might imagine the first kiss. 'Oh Tyler, I have a major crush on you, and I know you totally return it but now I'm just gonna kiss you not because I want to, but because have a weird ass scheme to hurt my ex, I hope you're okay with that." Riley says, her face crumpled into concern, but a sly twinkle is in her eye. I can tell she's joking, but I chuck a pillow at her anyway. She giggles, and sends one my way.

"Oh, shut up. I don't know how to tell him. And do you really think that he would like me?"

"Yes. He definitely does." She says, smirking.

"Yeah, right. On that note, let's get ready." I say. "We've got to get to a party!"

"And you've got some hearts to break!" Riley whoops, and I join in, even if it's a little half-hearted.

A/N ~Roughly edited~

Happy holiday, here is a slightly themed chapter, Merry Christmas! Here is just one more gift for you. I hope you enjoy it.

With love,

~Skye