Chapter Eleven


Mark's P.O.V.

I can't help but stare when Kort shrugs her coat off. She is dressed much fancier than the rest of us. She's in a dark green dress that reaches to the middle of her thighs. It is tight, pressed up to her figure at the top, but it flows outward when it hits her waist. The sleeves are off her shoulders, showing off her white skin. They are long and reach onto her hands, her thumbs poke out of little holes in the sleeves. She is wearing black high heels, simple but tall. Her lips are bright red and her dark red hair is curled to perfection. It rests around her face and contrasts with the dark green of the dress.

We're at our team Christmas party. Julie and Kortney just arrived, looking beautiful as ever. Especially compared to the rest of us, dressed all in t-shirts and jeans.

She smiles at me. I just blink tightly and sheepishly wave back, feeling my cheeks warm up. She takes a seat on a chair next to me.

"Hey, you," she says, her voice like silk.

"Hey, Kortney," I say back, not being able to suppress a smile.

"I thought I was Sparky, now?" she asks.

"Well, I kind of feel awkward calling you 'Sparky.' You look more like a Kortney now," I respond, shrugging.

She raises her left eyebrow and giggles. I just smile and blush. She leans in towards me.

"I think it's cute when you blush."


Kortney's P.O.V.

"I think it's cute when you blush."

I whisper it in his ear. It just seems to me like it is something that I should do. I rethink it when his cheeks grow even redder.

"Time for presents, guys!" Jimmy yells.

I break out into a fit of laughter when Jim Craig comes walking out of the bathroom in a full Santa Claus suit. I wave at Jim as he raises his eyebrows and smiles. One by one, the boys open their gifts from one another. I should have figured that they would be gag gifts. So far the presents have been: a giant fake cigar and neon sunglasses for OC, a hardhat for Bah, a leprechaun hat for Sutes, a whoopee cushion for Coxie, a giant pacifier for Robbie, a giant bullhorn hat for Philly, a red clown nose for Buzzy, a headband with antennae sticking out of the top for Rizzo, a rainbow clown afro wig for Dave Christian. Pav is up next. I'm really excited to see what the boys have gotten him.

"Pav, it's your turn!" Buzzy yells, pointing at him.

He smiles and reluctantly stands up. He slowly walks up to Buzzy and takes his gift. He smiles up at me and begins to rip the soft paper. He pulls out a bucket and a fishing pole. They look like they are both made out of hockey sticks. Pav smiles and inspects his gifts.

"Thanks, guys," he says, looking around. "These are great."

He comes back to his seat and sits down next to me.

"I'm surprised at how nice these gifts are. I thought they would be some stupid jokes or something," he whispers in my ear.

I smile and silently chuckle as Silky walks up to open his gift. He pulls out a pair of what look like women's panties. I can't help but laugh out loud.

"Your girl left these at my place with some milk and cookies," Robbie says, trying not to chuckle. "Give her a hug for me."

"You guys are unbelievable," Silky says, smiling. "Real funny, guys."

"Hey boys, we still got two more presents to open up," Jimmy says, holding up two tiny boxes. "Pardon me, Coach?"

He hands Craig Patrick one of the boxes, "Coach Patrick, from the boys."

"I thought you forgot," he says and lifts the tag. "To Craig," he reads and looks around. "That's…beautiful, boys."

The boys laugh in response.

"Oh, you're gonna like this," he chuckles to my Uncle.

He pulls out a green and yellow plastic whistle. He blows it.

"Again!" Coxie yells.

Craig blows his new whistle.

"Again! Again!" The boys yell every time Craig blows the whistle.

"Okay, that's enough. It's going back in the box," Uncle Herbie laughs, grabbing the whistle.

"And Herb, Merry Christmas, from the boys," Jimmy says, handing Uncle the other box. "Drumroll please?"

The boys drum their hands on the table until Uncle Herbie has the wrapper off the package. He pulls out a large black whip.

"Oh, yes. The gift that keeps on giving," Uncle says.

"No," all the boys say at once.

"Speech!" a few of them yell.

"Ayatollah," Uncle Herbie says to Craig, pointing to his new name plate. "Well, this may come as a shock to some of you guys, but I'm not really very good at giving sentimental speeches."

"No?" asks one of the boys.

"You're kidding," says another.

"I don't think I should start tonight. Hey, thanks for having me over, Velma," Uncle Herbie says.

"Good night, Herb," Doc's wife, Velma, responds.

"Doc, Merry Christmas," Uncle Herbie says, shaking his hand.

"Merry Christmas, Herb," Doc responds.

"You guys have a great holiday," he says and leaves out the door.

"Merry Christmas, Coach," the boys say together.

"Let's play some football," OC says, over the boys' laughs.

"Yeah, but…but, first," Robbie says, "we have two very special presents for two very special ladies."

Julie and I look at each other and shake our heads. This is going to be great. Julie steps forward and takes hers first. She rips the packaging off and pulls out a very revealing red dress.

"Aw, thanks boys. I needed a new one," she responds.

She winks and sits down next to me. I sigh and stand up, hesitantly walking over to where Robbie stands with my gift. I take it and sit down on the closest chair. I begin to tear the wrapping paper.

"Oh, come on, Kort. It's wrapping paper! You're not gonna hurt it! Rip it off!" Philly yells at me.

I smile and tear the paper off in larger pieces. I look up at the red-faced boys, trying not to laugh as I flip the top off the bottom of the box. My mouth drops as I see what's in the box. It is the stringiest piece of lingerie I've ever seen. I hook my index finger around what I think is the strap of a bra? I lift it up, letting it dangle from my index finger. I raise my eyebrows as the boys all burst out into laughter.

"You all understand that I will never, ever wear this. Hey, Julie. This is my wedding gift to you," I turn to Julie.

"Ooh, great, Jules. Guys, you're all gonna have to get out of the dorm tonight," Bah says, to his dorm mates, "I'm gonna have some company later tonight."

Julie hits him on the arm.

"JOHN HARRINGTON! YOU'RE GONNA PAY FOR THAT LATER!" Julie yells at him.

He pulls her onto his lap, wrapping his arms around her waist. She rolls her eyes and shakes her head.

"Can we play some football, now?" OC asks.

The boys cheer and smile, most of them grabbing their coats and heading outside. A few stay inside. Julie heads to the kitchen to help Velma and Doc clean up. Pav and I grab our coats and follow the boys outside. We stop and sit in the rocking chairs on the porch.

"You should go play," I say, rubbing his arm.

He shakes his head.

"I don't feel like it," he responds. "Plus, I would rather spend Christmas Eve with you and my team. I can spend it with my team if I'm playing, but not with you. I can spend it with you if I sit here. I can also see my team playing from here."

"Pav, that's so sweet of you. Come on!" I say, pulling him up.

"Where are we going?" he yells as I pull him down the steps.

I flop down on the snow. He raises one eyebrow down at me. I begin to move my arms up and down. A shape starts to form on the snow.


Mark's P.O.V.

A shape starts to form on the snow. An angel. She's making a snow angle. I can't help it but laugh at her. Her dark red hair sprawled all over the white snow, her cheeks as red as cherries, her face lights up even though we're in the dark of night. She holds her hands up to me.

"Help me up?" she asks.

I stretch my hands out and lift her up. I'm stronger than I thought, so my force draws her towards me. She slams into my chest, gasping, but then smiling.

"Ooh, sorry," I say, readjusting my grip on her.

"S'okay," she responds, giggling.

I flatten my hand on the small of her back and pull her hips into mine. I slide my other flattened hand up in between her shoulder blades, pulling her closer. She winds her arms around my neck. I smile and lean down towards her. She closes the gap. Our lips move together.

I hear a ton of hoots and claps from the left. We pull apart.


Kortney's P.O.V.

We pull apart. I begin to giggle. The boys have all stopped playing to applaud and whistle at Pav and I. He laughs too, burying his red cheeks in my neck.

"Why don't you all go inside," Buzzy suggests, pushing my back towards the door.

"Thanks, Buzz," Pav says, smiling at him.

When we get inside I shrug off my coat and push off my hat. Pav does the same. He turns and bows in front of me.

"May I have this dance?" he asks, holding his hand out and gesturing towards the slow Christmas music playing on the radio.

I curtsey and take his hand. He spins me into him. He pulls me close and we begin to drift. I lay my head lazily onto his shoulder.

"Hey, can I tell you something?" he asks, lifting my head by putting his index finger under my chin.

"Of course."

"I think that I love you," he says, his cheeks growing red again.

"I think I love you, too," I say and shrug.

I place my hand behind his neck and pull his mouth towards mine. We drift for what seems like seconds, but what is probably an hour or two. Soon enough though, it is late and time to go home.

I put my coat on and turn towards Pav.

"Goodnight, Sparky," Pav says, pressing our lips together.

"Goodnight, Mark," I say, pecking him on the cheek.

He pulls me into a hug, squeezing me tightly.

I wave as Julie shuts the door behind us.


Julie drives us both back to my house, where her family always stays for Christmas. As soon as I wipe off my makeup, I crawl into my bed, next to her.

"Pav really loves you, Kort," she says.

"I know he does. Bah really loves you," I respond.

"I know he does. Merry Christmas, Kortney. I love you," she whispers in the dark.

"Merry Christmas, Jules. Love you too."