Breathe-Chapter 12
By: Panda Angel
Jillian had fallen asleep holding AJ’s hand. The two slept dreamlessly for the next few hours, until Denise came in waking them both up.
“Hey you two!” she smiled at the two holding hands.
“Oh! What time is it?” Jillian lifted her hand to her head to block the temporary dizziness.
“6:00,” Denise answered simply, taking off her jacket.
“Are you serious?! 6:00 on Christmas Eve and I don’t even have a tree up…” Jillian stood up and raked her fingers through her hair.
“You’re not leaving are you?” AJ asked, afraid that she might say yes.
“I suppose so, unless you need me for something.” Jillian stood by AJ’s bed, searching his face for a response.
‘I always need you,’ AJ thought to himself.
Denise walked over interrupting their conversation. “Actually Jillian, why don’t you spend Christmas Eve with us?”
“Oh no Mom, she probably doesn’t want to spend it in a hospital,” AJ intervened.
“Yeah, well, we don’t have to! I just spoke with the doctor and he said that since your broken bones are already set in a cast, then it’s perfectly okay if you go home now!” Denise delivered the good news. Everyone exchanged their bouts of happiness, then helped AJ gather his belongings and head home.
“Hey, um, could I use your phone?” Jillian asked, as soon as her and Denise has gotten AJ settled into a comfortable spot on his plush, zebra print couch.
“Yeah, it’s in the kitchen,” AJ pointed in the direction. His house was extravagantly decorated and very massive. “Found it?” AJ called, after Jillian had been gone a few moments and didn’t hear anyone talking.
“Yep, thanks!” Jillian dialed in Molly’s phone number.
“Hello?” Molly answered.
“Hey girl!”
“Jillie? Hey! Where are you?” Molly asked, getting another glass of punch.
“I’m at AJ’s…” Jillian looked cautiously around the kitchen to make sure Denise wasn’t nearby.
“So you’re not coming?” Molly sounded disappointed that her friend wouldn't be attending her annual Christmas Eve party.
“No, Mol, I don’t think I am. I’m so sorry, but AJ needs me…and Denise invited me. I just couldn’t say no. You understand don’t you?” Jillian felt sorry that she had backed out on her plans with her best friend.
“Of course I do, girl!” Molly said, sincerely. “I understand that AJ needs you. I’m really glad you’re with him…I mean, as friends and all.” Molly was unsure of what to say because she didn’t know the situation between the two and what had happened to Michael.
“Thanks for understanding! You’re the best!”
“Yeah, yeah…” Molly rolled her eyes. “Hey, guess who’s here?” She lowered her voice, and raised her eyebrows.
“Oh gosh…let me think…hmmm…could it be um, Dustin??” Jillian giggled.
“Yessss!! Hehe! Oh, Jill, he’s the greatest! He’s invited me, ME, to have Christmas dinner with him. I’m so excited! But, listen, I’ve gotta run…don’t want to keep my guests waiting!”
“Alrighty, have fun! G’night!” Jillian hung up the phone and walked back into the living room, where Denise was getting out the lights and ornaments to decorate the tree.
“Who’d you call?” AJ asked, watching Jillian enter the room, and sit down in the black leather chair, across from him.
“Oh, just a friend of mine. She was having a Christmas party tonight and I told her I couldn’t make it,” Jillian explained, avoiding making eye contact with AJ. She knew if she looked him in the eyes, she would be in trouble…deep, deep trouble.
“Jillie, you didn’t have to cancel your plans for me. I’ll be fine. Why don’t you go?”
“No, really, it’s okay. I’m pretty tired, actually, and I think it will be nice to have a nice, quiet Christmas for once,” Jillian smiled at AJ, then at Denise. “Do you need some help with those lights?”
“Sure hon. Grab that string and work on untangling these,” she pointed to a pile of tangled lights.
“Here AJ, you can help,” Jillian grinned and sat beside AJ on the floor so they could work on untangling the lights together.
Email: panda_angelaj@hotmail.com
