Page 19 of OMG Christmas Tree
He laughed. I laughed. Mom beamed at us.
“I bet we could find a good deal on some plain ornament bulbs.” I rounded the tree, checking the branches facing the window. “Do you have a Target around here?” I could let Nick know if I found anything he could use for the mayor’s house. Shoot. I didn’t have his number. Maybe I could get the bulbs for him and—no. What was I thinking? Nick made it clear when he dropped me off he wasn’t interested in, well, me.
Okay, maybe not clear. He hadn’t been interested in driving to the rest of the shops on the list even though I’d offered. I stared at the portion of forest in Stu’s front room. I’d taken Nick’s charity tree. Of course he wanted to get away from me.
Mom wound a stray ribbon around her finger. “Stu and I were talking. We should look at buying you new tires. They’re nearly bald.”
My spine stiffened. “My car is fine.”
“Honey, you’re out there on your own. I worry.”
“I told you I’d be okay and I am.”
The ribbon uncoiled and she stuffed it in an empty ornament box. “Does the El train near you reach the university?”
“What?” Too late I realized my mistaking in asking.
“I was thinking—”
“Mom, don’t—”
“Stu and I could help get you back on track with your classes—”
“I don’t need—”
“So you can graduate.”
And there it was. My failure stated out loud, ready to ruin Christmas one more way.
I collected my thoughts. Well, one of them, at least. “I don’t need anything.Anything.” My sharp tone sliced the air like an ice pick.
Great start at a happy holiday, Megan.
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Nick
