Charlie
I’m stretched out on the reclining sofa in the game room, a bowl of popcorn to my left, a large glass of sweet tea to my right, and a movie on the big screen. I’ve been busting my chops for weeks on end trying to accomplish an outrageous amount of work and decided it was time to take a moment for myself.
Between school, training with Zaynt, helping my parents in the shop, working on my own inventions, helping Ethan with the railroad on the weekends, and organizing all of this chaos for everyone, including myself, I’ve been going nonstop for weeks. I’m exhausted, and my brain is nearly fried. I need this, even if I feel a little guilty for it.
I toss some popcorn into my mouth and chew slowly as I watch the movie, only half paying attention as I fight my brain for control. I really want to catch up on these new Marvel movies, but how can I, if I feel guilty for even sitting down to enjoy them!? I really need to get a grip.
I sigh and relax into the sofa, forcing myself to just take a breath and relax. I finally calm my nerves and brain enough to actually enjoy the movie. I pick up the bag of Reese’s and rip into it, popping one into my mouth.
My comm begins to ring on the arm of the sofa, and I groan. Of course, something comes up, why wouldn’t it? I grab the watch and flip it open, an image of Ethan’s stupid face floating above the screen. I begrudgingly accept the call, and a larger holo image pops up, his annoying face smiling at me.
“Ethan, what’s up?”
“I need your help.” He gives me an awkward smile, and I groan, my head dropping back against the sofa.
“Don’t I help you enough already? What could you possibly need now!?”
“Hey, don’t get your panties in a twist, this is different. Christmas is next month, and I need suggestions for a gift for Laya. What do you get a girl who has or can make anything!?” His voice rises as he seems to panic, his eyes growing wide as he screeches at me.
“Uhm… I don’t know. Maybe make her something? Girls love handmade crap.”
“I swear, Charlie, if you suggest that I simply make her a damn card, I am going to jump through this comm and strangle you.” His eyes narrow, and he practically growls at me.
I laugh and hold up a hand. “Okay! Fine. Maybe get her some jewelry? Something simple that she can enjoy, like a necklace or bracelet?”
“Charlie, I don’t think Layanna wears jewelry,” he deadpans, staring at me.
“Yeah, but I don’t think she’s ever been given any. Besides, Layanna’s had it rough, and she prefers to enjoy time spent with those she loves. I don’t think it’ll really matter what you get her, just that you thought of her. Arey on the other hand, I gotta get that girl a tablet or something so she can read all the books she wants.”
There’s a pause as we both think. I glance up at the TV and realize that I’m totally missing the movie. I grab the remote and pause it as a thought hits me.
“You know, it’s not even winter here. They don’t really have a winter here, and they don’t have the same holidays so they won’t even know what Christmas is.”
Ethan’s face lights up as he sucks in air. “What if we bring Christmas to them! They’ll love it! We could have a big meal, watch movies, exchange gifts! You could set that all up, right?”
I close my eyes and take a deep breath as I fight the urge to sigh or throw the comm across the room. Yet another task to put on Charlie’s shoulders because he doesn’t have enough to do.
“Yeah, I can talk to Mom about it and see if we can’t figure something out. We could invite Arey’s parents, Laya, and Zaynt, maybe his family if he wants. Laya doesn’t talk to her family anymore, so they aren’t even an option.”
“You think we could find a way to do something special for the girls, without all the parentals around?” He cringes slightly as he suggests it like it’s painful to even suggest that we cut out our parents for a holiday moment.
I shrug and nod my head slightly as I think. “You said you wanted to do movies, what if we have a movie night for just us. Think you can afford to go buy a collection of Christmas classics that we love and I’ll figure out something for us?”
“Yeah, I can definitely do that. What are we thinking? The Grinch, Home Alone movies, Rudolph, maybe the Santa Clause movies?”
“Yeah, just whatever you can find, and we’ll pick which ones to watch when we’re all together. I’ll talk to Mom about it, and we’ll figure out a date.”
“That reminds me, the Bellane’s want you at their house for Christmas dinner the night of, 5 pm. Molly is threatening your life if you don’t come. She insists on keeping your weird traditions.” He smirks at me, and I laugh.
“I’ll write it down. I wouldn’t miss it for the world. Are you guys going to be there?”
“Of course. Our families are, like, inseparable now. It’s really annoying because Keisha seems to think that becoming best friends with Molly means she has another chance at becoming your girlfriend. I don’t think she’s ever going to give up! She’s even planning a special gift for you!”
I laugh and shake my head. “I’ll deal with that later. I better go talk to Mom and sort this out if we’re doing it. I’ll text you later with the deets.”
We say goodbye, and I slap the watch closed, sighing as I lay against the sofa staring at the paused screen in front of me. So much for a relaxing day of movies.
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