Here's the second installment of my collection of stories (much like "Blue 32").
It's A Wonderful Lie
Matt/Julie, Post-Season 2, PG, 538 words, Title from House, M.D.
Have yourself a merry little Christmas.
Matt's not a big fan of Christmas – not anymore anyway. He hates the commercials they show on TV, with everyone all together and happy, giving out presents while the snow falls outside. It couldn't be further from reality. A reality where Matt can hardly afford presents and only has Grandma to celebrate with – he's given up on believing his dad would come home, and his mom is so much in her own world she'll probably forget to send a card.
He remembers how different Christmas was last year, when he felt on top of the world – being a State champion, being with Julie, feeling like he was important to more than just Grandma. It was the best time of his life. And now all of that was gone.
Losing State this year was no one's fault, but Matt hated himself for it (the more people began blaming him, the more he believed them). And Julie, well, Matt hasn't looked her in the face in months. Doesn't really want to either – he loves hates her too much.
But he walks to the Taylor house on Christmas Eve, just like Grandma asked, to give Gracie the present Grandma brought for her. Maybe if he's lucky Julie won't answer the door, or even better, won't be home at all. Matt knows he's got shitty luck when Julie does, in fact, answer the door.
"Uh, hey!" she says, all surprised and happy, with that cute smile of hers. He wants to scream at her to stop being so Julie – it'll be easier to hate her that way.
But he doesn't say any of that, instead just holds out the wrapped gift box in front of him.
"My Grandma. It's for Gracie."
Julie laughs and takes the box.
"That's so nice of her. Thank you."
There's a few seconds of awkward silence, neither knowing what to say to the other – if anything else should even be said.
"You wanna come inside for a little bit? Say hi to my mom and dad? They'll be happy to know you stopped by."
Matt says yes and walks inside, Julie holding onto his hand as they walk into the living room. It's like an electric shock – her hand against his. His whole body freezes up, and he wants to pull his hand away, remind her that they aren't together anymore, and that she has no business teasing him like this – with the hand holding, and being happy, and everything. But he doesn't. Isn't really sure he wants to either.
After he talks to Coach and Mrs. Coach for a few minutes, Matt heads for the door, so he can enjoy the rest of the night with Grandma. Julie follows him to say goodbye, and lightly kisses him on the cheek. He acts like he's surprised, but in reality he's not. He'd be lying to himself too if he tried admitting he didn't like being here with her, or that he didn't love her anymore.
"Merry Christmas, Matt," she says.
"Merry Christmas, Julie," he says back, with that stupid lop-sided smile he knows she loves so much, before turning around and walking home.
Maybe Christmas won't suck this year after all.
