Boy Band Games: Why Don't We Edition ✓

S2: 57 | Ibiza & Lotte

"Pretty little sister, I want to say I love you."— Pretty Little Sister, Monica Michael

Chapter Fifty-seven
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AS EVERYONE IN the room gathered their secret santa presents, I was a little bit fidgety.

No, it's not because I don't have presents for them.

The huge red santa bag behind me was enough proof that I had presents for everyone, even Harry Styles- but the fact that I was going to be giving my presents to everybody in front of... well.. everybody, made me a little anxious.

Hey, I can get anxious from time to time!

Hmpf.

Angel plopped down on the loveseat beside me with a giddy grin on her face. "You excited to give your prezzy to you-know-who?"

I looked at her cluelessly, "Who?"

"Oh you know..." She giddily bumped into my shoulder as if there was some secret that I was in on- but I honestly have no idea what she's talking about.

I pursed my lips and just shrugged her off.

They all started with Zach, who ended up being Jack's secret santa.

No surprise there, whatsoever.

He got his best friend a few expensive items from this game called Fortnite and the latter was beyond ecstatic.

Jack ended up being Marie's secret santa. He got her a bag of Doritos filled with stinky blue cheese as a joke- but ended up giving her her real present after being nearly beaten to death by the Latina. She received a pair of vintage uggs- because apparently, Jack saw her eyeing those items in Paris.

Marie was Jonah's secret santa. She gave him an espresso machine. No kidding- I have no idea how that thing even got the travel permit from Paris to Canada.

While everyone was busy exchanging presents, I decided to make my move. I excused myself from Angel and walked over to the tour manager who was leaning against her fiancee's chest.

I hate to disturb such a lovey-dovey moment, but— eh, sorry Harry Styles.

"Hey Ibiza, you got a minute?" I raised a finger as I asked the manager.

She looked up at me and nodded. She quickly told Harry she'd only be away for a short while and stood up from the loveseat.

Everyone was too distracted by their own gift giving to notice me and Ibiza slipping out of the group.

The lady and I made our way outside of the cabin. The chilly mid-day air greeted me as soon as I stepped outside.

Ibiza stuffed her hands inside her pockets. She looked at me with a questioning gaze, "What's up?"

I cleared my throat, "I- um.. well you see-"

She looked at me expectantly.

"I kinda wanna give my presents to them.. privately." I blurted out.

She raised an eyebrow at my mini-outburst and I struggled to come up with an explanation.

"You see it's because I don't want them to be affected by the presents- er, and how they differ? Ugh, I don't know. It doesn't even make any sense but—"

Ibiza chuckled, cutting me off. "Okay."

I blinked, looking at her in surprise. "That's it?"

She gave me a smile that resembled a mother's caring grin. "Hey, I get it."

"You don't need to explain yourself to me."

I stayed silent. Ibiza sounds like she has something else to say so I paid attention.

She looked up at the mid-day sky. "Honestly, I think what you're doing is great."

My eyes remained trained on the tour manager's figure as she said those words. I bit the inside of my cheeks as I waited for her to continue.

"You're trying to figure things out for yourself. This is a huge contrast to who you were not too long ago."

"To be honest, your character development from day one is astounding. When I first saw you on TV, you were this little uncontrollable ball of energy that just wanted to get out of the reality show. But as time passed, you became more and more tamed. It was like you realized that this was your turning point. So you faced the facts and decided that, yeah, I'm growing up. And that was the time you let yourself grow."

She gave me a side glance and smiled endearingly, "It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are."

She outstretched her arms and I let her pull me into a warm embrace. Her warmth engulfed me for a few moments before she spoke again.

"I'm honored that I'm one of the lucky few who gets to witness you grow, Lotte."

I was beginning to feel a little emotional when she pulled away from the hug.

She gave me a cheshire cat smile, dimples and all. "Let's go back inside. I'll tell them you'll just give your presents later."

I nodded with a smile, "Thanks Ibiza."

"No worries."

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