Chapter 14 – special gift for special someone

It was 7 in the evening. The Summers and the Grey family were eating their supper. Mr. and Mrs. Summers sat at both ends of the table. Jean and Scott sat beside each other facing Mr. and Mrs. Grey. Their parents chatted with one another. Jean and Scott ate silently, hoping that their parents won't bring up the topic about 'them', albeit they were already prepared to answer. "So, Jean, why didn't you tell me that Scott has transferred in your school?" her mother asked. "Didn't I mention it? Oh, I have been so stressed out lately. Too much school work," Jean lied. "I didn't know it either. I was planning to set Scott up with one of my friend's daughter. I like to see my son with a better girlfriend than what he usually brought here in our house," his mother didn't realize that she's embarrassing her son. Scott choked while drinking, "Mom! I can't believe you said that." "Oh! Really?" Jean looked at him. "I don't want to hear that you made Jean cry. Or else…" Mr. Grey jokingly threatened. "Don't worry John, I'll keep an eye on him!" all of them stared to Scott. "Dad! You're frightening him!" Jean giggled. "Don't worry, Scott has changed. And if he does something stupid, I won't cry! He will be the one crying!" she said half-truth. "I know my son would be serious now. He liked Jean since they were still kids!" Mrs. Summers said. "Really, Katherine? Scott always made Jean cry," Elaine Grey was surprised. "We had a hard time buying a farewell gift for Jean. He wanted to buy something that looks like her," all of them laughed. "Jean still keeps that," her mother stated. "Yup. The bear is in my boarding house," she smiled. The rest of the conversation went on smoothly. Jean and Scott felt relieved that no one asked them how, when or where, and other personal questions to them. They finished supper and Jean offered to wash the dishes. "No, I can do it," Mrs. Summers disagreed. "It's okay, Scott would help me," she cling her arms around Scott's. "Okay, I understand that you want some time alone," Katherine exited the room.

"Why did you say that? I'm not going to help you with the dishes."

"Come on, Scott! There are too many!"

"It's your fault! I wasn't the one who volunteered!"

"That girl who was supposed to be set up with you was lucky that I save her from meeting a guy like you!"

"A guy like me? You think you know me?"

"Yeah! You're rude, not gentleman, annoying, and all the things that I hate in a guy can be seen in you!"

"Really?" Scott became serious, "I mean… you think that I'm kind of that person?"

"Oh…" Jean felt bad. "Well, if you would help me with these dishes, you will be a gentleman, kind, caring, still annoying but sweet" she grinned and told everything what she really thinks of Scott. "Dream on Red! Wash all those dishes till your hands get flabby!" Jean suddenly regretted why she felt guilty for Scott. "Stupid!" she mouthed while glaring at Scott who at the moment was exiting the kitchen.

3 hours before midnight, everyone assembled in the lounge area. They watched DVDs, played some board games to pass time. The clock stroked twelve; "Merry Christmas!" they hugged each other and exchanged presents. Jean and Scott acted surprised to see what they had received from one another. They ate midnight snacks and listened to Christmas carols sang by little children. After the celebration, everyone decided to take a rest. Mr. and Mrs. Grey slept in the guestroom, Jean in Scott's room and Scott on the sofa in the living room.

Scott took a small box from his pocket. He vacillated if he'll give it. He then saw Jean went to the kitchen. He heard that she was mixing something, she then came out and held a small cup. She blew it before sipping. Coffee.

Jean sat on the bed. She can't get her mind off Warren; a small tear escaped her eyes. "Knock! Knock!" "Come in," she faced the door and saw Scott. "You need something, Scott?" He ignored her and continued to walk and took a peek on what she was drinking. "Coffee again? How many cups have you drunk today?" He scolded. "What do you care?" she glared. "Here," Scott handed her a small box. "What is this?" she asked. "Merry Christmas, Red!" "But… I didn't bought…" Scott didn't let her finish and left the room immediately. She opened the box and there it was; the silver necklace with a heart pendant that she saw earlier at the mall. There was a note rolled inside. She opened it.

Red,

Merry Christmas! He's not worth your tear. A special girl like you deserves someone better. Keep smiling!

Slim

A small smile appeared at the corner of her lips. "I can't understand you. Sometimes you're nice and sweet, sometimes you're just plain rude," she spoke as if Scott was there. She wore the necklace and decided to thank him. She went downstairs and looked for Scott. He was not there. She then saw the door slightly opened and peeked. "Are you sure you're not going to let me pay this," she held the pendant. Scott who was staring blankly on the sky turned around and saw Jean grinning. He just smiled at her. "I'm sorry, if I said bad things," she stared at him. "So that's how to make Jean Grey feel guilty. I'll give you necklaces so you'll be nice to me!" Scott jested. "What? I'm kind to you! You are the one whose brain is messed up! Sometimes you're kind to me sometimes you're not!" she said matter-of-factly. Both of them grew silent. "Umm… thank you for this," Jean touched her necklace. "I just pity you…" he tried to cover up his kindness towards her but stopped as she hugged him. "You don't know how special you made me feel," she sobbed. "You are special," Scott whispered to her ears. He let Jean's head rest into his shoulders and he caressed her back. When they parted, Scott wiped Jean's tears with his thumb. She smiled at him. Both of them decided to wear their coats because each one knows that they have a lot to talk about. "You're weird. You drink coffee when you have problems?" Scott looked at Jean as they sit on the white snow. "Yeah, it started when I was a kid. When I'm depressed because I didn't get the toy I want or you made me cry, I want to do things that are forbidden by my parents. And that time, I was not allowed to drink coffee, I always make coffee behind my mother's back. And it just became a habit," she laughed. "Oh! So… it means you are still depressed," Scott pointed Jean's third cup of coffee. She just nodded her eyes became lifeless. "Tell me," he held her hand. "Well, I met Warren when I transferred in Bayville High. I was still a freshman back then when he became my boyfriend. Everything was fine, we never fought, we were always happy. We lasted a year, and then his family migrated to England. At first, it was okay because we email each other and chatted everyday. Until he only replied to me once a week, once a month, during occasions until he never ever replied to me anymore. I was tired of waiting but I didn't stop. When I saw him with that girl, it was like… you know… I just waited for nothing," Jean stopped and she let her tears come out. "I know how you can forget him," he pulled Jean up by her wrist. They came inside the house. He showed some DVDs, "Let's watch. What do you want? Horror or comedy? You can't watch love stories!" Scott said knowing what Jean preferred to watch. "Okay," she pouted, "Umm…Let me see… Comedy!" they both flopped into the sofa and watched. Jean and Scott fell asleep. Her head rested on his shoulder while his head rested on hers.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

hope you guys like it! i'm soooo sorry if it took me so long before i updated my fic... i was really really busy! r&r!