“Ahh, come on. Them?” Ollie screams.
Liam stands with his hand on his hip. “No way. Jarvis, did Roman pay you?”
Jarvis snickers. “Sorry, Liam; this was fair and square.”
“Fair and square, loser.” Noelle cackles.
I stare up at her. “You’re a bit competitive, aren’t you?”
She caresses my cheek. “A little.” Then she pecks me.
That peck makes my knees and arms weak.
“Fuck,” I mutter.
Slowly, I place her back on the floor. She doesn’t see my blush, but my mom and dad do. I look away, only to meet Tessa’s stare.
I shrug, as if to say, ‘maybe you’ll win next time.’
My mom claps. “Ok, now for the gag gifts and the tree decoration.”
NOELLE
“It’s the most wonderful time of the year.” Andy Williams’ voice echoes through the family room. Ollie and Liam are already throwing tinsel on the tree. I am sitting on the carpeted floor, snugly between Roman’s legs. It’s snowing outside, and the fireplace is roaring. I am surrounded by laughter and new friends. Andy, you were right. It is a wonderful time.
We have been passing around gifts for the last fifteen minutes.
“This is for you, Tillie.” I pass a small box to her.
Tillie rips the box open and pulls out a coffee mug. She pulls it to her chest and laughs. “You are such a great addition to this family. Thank you.”
Roman bends and whispers in my ear. “What did you get her?”
Before I can respond, she turns the cup to the group. It reads, “Duh, I am the hottest twin.”
Ollie tilts his head. “So you have favorites, huh?”
“Yes, she does, punk.” Tillie throws her hair over her shoulder. “Thank you, Elle; this is great.”
Tillie stretches and gives me a bag. “For you.”
I lean forward and grab the gift bag. After moving through gift paper, I pull out a T-shirt.
“Tillie, really?” Roman says.
I snort when I read the T-shirt. “‘I love my parents (from afar).’ I love it.”
Liam gave me coffee mug with the quote “I came for the rum. I stayed for the trauma.”
Roman grunts behind me.
All the gifts were awesome.
“This is my gift,” Tessa says as she passes me a white box with a black bow.
“What the hell, Tessa? Is it a bomb?” Tillie comments.
Pulling on the string, I loosen the box and flip the cover.
