My Life Exposed

Aspen Trip (part two)

I was excited to see Jace and his mom return from their outing a little after lunch time. He walks up to me and gives me a big hug. His mom goes upstairs and I ask how everything was. "It was great. We had a wonderful time. How has your day been?" "Your father and I had a heart to heart and it was lovely. I absolutely love your parents. You're lucky to have them." He says, "Well I'm incredibly lucky to have you, as a friend." We both laugh at that. "What do you want to do tonight," he asks. "I think I just want to stay in tonight and eat junk food and watch movies." "That sounds like a great plan. We can make a pallet on the floor in front of the fireplace and watch Netflix." I tell him that would be amazing. "I'm going to go take a quick shower and get into my PJs. I'll be down in thirty minutes." "Sounds good. I'll get everything ready." I run upstairs to shower and pick out my cutest PJs. When I get back downstairs, I see candles everywhere and an amazingly comfortable looking pallet on the floor with chips and cookies and ice cream and Netflix already on the TV. "Jace, you really didn't have to do all of this for me. I would have been satisfied with some chips and a few blankets and pillows. You really outdid yourself!" "I know," he says, "but I wanted to do something nice for you because I know when we go home everything will have to go back to normal. Just good ol friends." I tell him, "What happens in Aspen stays in Aspen, so we can pretend that nothing is complicated and anything is possible on this trip." He agrees and says, "You're right, nobody will ever know and when we get back everything will go back to normal." We sit down on the pallet he made and he asks me what I want to watch. "You pick," I said. He thinks for a moment and says, "How about a cheesy romance movie?" We both agreed on The Kissing Booth. "This is one of my favorite movies," I tell him. "I know, that's why I picked it." We lay there for hours watching The Kissing Booth 1 and 2. I was getting so tired that I fall asleep. We wake up the next morning in each other's arms. His parents walk downstairs and we both jump up and Jace says, "It's not what it looks like. We stayed up late last night and I swear we both just fell asleep watching movies." They don't seem to really mind and start making breakfast for us. I go upstairs to shower and change. I can't believe a week has already passed and there is only one week left of winter break. Christmas is in two days and I didn't get Jace anything yet. I have to go to town today to find him the perfect gift. I head down to breakfast and I ask Veronica if she wouldn't mind coming shopping with me today to pick up some girly stuff. "Of course," she says, "that will be lovely. Just us girls. Shopping and lunch, we can make a day of it." I tell her that sounds perfect. After breakfast, we walk to the car and I tell her, "The real reason I wanted to go out today was to pick out the perfect Christmas present for Jace and I would love your help." "Oh I'd be delighted to help you pick out his gift," she says. We go straight to the mall and into the men's department. I find the most amazing watch I have ever seen. Jace has been talking about getting a new one. It's an Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional Chronograph. "He is going to love it," Veronica promises. I had it gift wrapped and I leave satisfied. I can't wait to give it to him on Christmas morning. We visit a few other stores and pick out some new clothes and shoes. It was a fun time shopping with Veronica. We find a little café to have lunch. We talk about how much I care about Jace as a friend. "Of course," she says, "I can see that there is more to it." "Yes, there may be, but it's just bad timing right now. We are just better off friends." She says, "I understand. I just hope that changes one day." I agree. When we arrive back home, I rush upstairs to hide Jace's gift. I find the perfect hiding place. I freshen up and head back downstairs to see Jace's parents have their bags packed and I'm so confused. Jace asks his parents what's going on. Veronica says, "Travis must get back to the city for work. We know it's such short notice but you two should stay for the rest of the week and enjoy yourselves. We'll leave the car here for you and we'll send the jet back at the end of the week." Jace and I spending our first Christmas alone together? My stomach has butterflies! I mean don't get me wrong, I wouldn't mind his parents being here, but this is going to be interesting. Jace and I spend the rest of the night just hanging out and watching TV. When I wake up the next morning and go downstairs, I see Jace in the kitchen."Wow, it smells good in here!" "I made you eggs and bacon. How do you like your coffee?" "You are too sweet, Jace. Two cream, two sugar," I tell him. He says, "Well, it's Christmas Eve, what would you like to do tonight?" I think for a moment and say, "Maybe we can go out tonight. Just for a few hours." "Yes," he says, "that would be fun." "Yes, it will be fun. I just hope we don't run into Jade." He says, "Even if we do, she won't ruin our night." Jace heads upstairs to take a shower while I sit on the couch and watch some TV. I hear his phone go off and I glance at it and see a text from Jade. Why she is texting him? I don't look at the text even though I can't deny that I am curious to know what it says. I refuse to invade his privacy. I'm sure he'll tell me about it when he comes back downstairs. He finally comes down and sits next to me. I tell him about his phone going off and he asks me who it was, like it was normal for me to look at his phone. "Well, I didn't open it, but I saw it was a text from Jade." He looks at me and says, "Why the hell would she be texting me?" I tell him to read it. He opens his phone and reads the text out loud, "Hey, Jace, look I know we haven't been on good terms lately but I know we're both in Aspen right now. Can we please grab a drink tonight to talk?" He replies and tells her, "Sorry, I'm having drinks with Mila tonight. Have a good rest of your trip." "Wow," I say, "that was bold even for her." He laughs and says, "I can't believe she actually thought I would go have a drink with her. She's just getting desperate now." A few minutes later we hear the doorbell. "Are you expecting anyone," I ask. "No, are you?" I look at him and say, "Who would I be expecting? I don't know anyone." He laughs as he goes to answer the door. I hear him talking to a girl and I walk over to see who it is. Of course, it's Jade and her friends. "What you are doing here," he asks her. She sees me and says, "Well I just figured you would want some company on Christmas Eve since we usually spend it together every year." My stomach goes into knots just thinking about him bringing Jade here in the past. I mean I knew they had a past but it still kind of stings just thinking about it. He tells her that he has company and that she should just go. "Oh come on, Jace. I'm not taking no for an answer. Plus it will be good for me to spend a little time with my new stepsister." Jade and her friends push past Jace like they own the place. He looks at Jade and says, "I don't think this is such a good idea. You should really just go." "Nonsense. We're really bored hanging out at Sarah's parents' house." Jace looks at me and he can tell I'm not amused by any of this. "It's up to you," he says. "Well it doesn't look like she's moving unless we physically do it so whatever." She smiles and says, "Perfect. Let's play some drinking games." "Sorry, not in the mood," I tell her. "Come on, don't be lame," she says. I roll my eyes and say, "You just can't seem to take the hint that you're not wanted here." She stands up and walks towards me and says, "If Jace really wants me to leave he would make me." "Oh please, Jade. You know Jace doesn't want you here. He's just not an asshole, but you know what? I can be a bitch, so please grab your friends and get your annoying ass the hell out." She looks at Jace and says, "You're just going to let her kick me out of your house?" "If Mila wants you gone then you need to go." Jade picks up her purse and tells her friends they are leaving. Once they are out the door, I go upstairs to my room to lay down. I was so annoyed that she had the nerve to show up. Jace lays next to me and asks if I'm alright. I tell him I'm fine, just annoyed. "Mila, I am so sorry. I never expected her to just show up like that." "It's not your fault. It's just that being around her is annoying to me because I know she is just trying to get under my skin. She knows it works." He looks at me and says, "Don't let her get to you. She is just jealous and wants to upset you. Let me do something to cheer you up." "Like what," I ask. "Just trust me. Give me a bit." He leaves me wondering what it could be. I'm very curious, but I'm patient and just wait. A few hours pass; I catch up on some reading assignments and some TV shows. Jace finally comes upstairs and tells me that he is ready for me to come down. I walk into the kitchen and see he's cooked stuffed salmon with salad and bread. "Okay Jace, I am completely impressed that you could even cook this." "Oh I have many talents you don't know yet." I laugh and tell him, "I can't wait to find out all of them." "I can't wait to show them all to you." We begin eating and I tell him, "Wow, this is amazing. I give you props for your cooking skills. One day I'll have to cook for you to return the favor." It turns out to be a nice way to spend Christmas Eve.