I rolled over feeling drowsy and my hand hit something solid. Warm and solid. I opened my eyes blearily and saw Andy sitting up in bed beside me. "Merry Christmas," he told me.
"Merry- wait."
"What?"
"Why am I in bed with you?"
"'Coz you fell asleep on my knee last night."
I blushed, "Really?"
"Well, that and I really needed some company."
"But I thought I wasn't your girlfriend."
"You are now," Andy said and he kissed me tenderly. "Merry Christmas, sweetheart."
"Merry Christmas, Andy." I cuddled him and was suddenly conscious that he wasn't wearing a shirt.
"Andy-
Knock, knock. "Come in," Andy said.
Michelle opened the door and stepped inside. "Ooh," she said when she saw my arms around Andy. She had been asleep when we came home. "Am I interrupting something?"
"Oh, no," I said, releasing Andy.
"Did something happen?" She asked.
"Er- no," Said Andy awkwardly.
"Well, anyway," She said looking slightly disappointed. "Get up and get dressed we're going around to Kylie's."
"Already," Andy rubbed his eyes.
"Um, yeah, it's eleven o'clock."
"Crap," Andy yawned and stretched.
"I need to go home and get-
"I bought you some clothes," She held up a green bag, "They're here."
"Er- thanks."
Michelle left. Andy stood and rummaged around in his cupboard. Then said, "I'm having a shower,"
"Um, okay," I yawned and stretched too and when Andy left I pulled on my clothes and went downstairs.
"Breakfast?" Michelle asked when I entered the kitchen.
"No thank you," I said, "I don't eat breakfast."
*
We arrived at Kylie's to find everyone there already. Shaun, JumpNow, his mum; Mandi, Kylie, Shaun's dad; Tim, Bradie and Yvonne. We all ate a breakfast of pancakes and bacon & eggs then, we opened our presents. Kylie gave me some chocolates and Michelle gave me a necklace. The boys said they'd give my present last. I suddenly felt excited and wondered for the first time what it could be.
But never mind that now it was time to give out my presents. I hadn't bought anything for Mandi. I felt guilty. I rummaged around under the tree and pulled out the first box, reading the gift label I handed it to JumpNow, "JumpNow, this is yours."
"Aw, thanks, Gem," he kissed my cheek and said, "You really didn't have to."
I smiled, "It's Christmas," I said and pulled out the next box. "Bradie, this one's yours."
"Thanks," he mumbled.
"No worries and I pulled out Yvonne's box. "Here." I thrust it at her. She hadn't bought me anything; I hadn't expected her to. "Michelle," I handed her, her present.
"Aw, thanks sweetie, good thing I got this." JumpNow had finally negotiated the ribbons and opened his iTunes voucher. He held up a brand new iPod touch.
"Thanks, Gem." Bradie said again, folding his clothes and placing them neatly beside him with his other presents.
"I needed these, thanks." Michelle told me, kissing my cheek in a very motherly way.
"Er- no worries," I pulled out the next present. "Kylie," I handed it to her.
"Thank you, Gemma," said Kylie.
"That leaves… Shaun," I handed him his, "And Andy." I handed him his.
He opened it, for a second he and Michelle exchanged awkward looks and then he said, "Thanks sweetie!" and ruffled my hair, kissing my cheek. He looked a little guilty… or disappointed maybe? I didn't know.
"Don't you like it?" My heart sank, I'd tried to buy Andy something special…
"It's great," He smiled unconvincingly. "I really do like it."
"OK, then," I said. "If you say so."
I now realised Shaun, JumpNow and Bradie had disappeared and as Andy sat his hair straightener on his pile of presents, they appeared at the foot of the stairs. Bradie was carrying a guitar case and Shaun was carrying a box…
"Surprise," said Shaun, sitting the box beside me, it looked heavy. Bradie put down the guitar case.
"What is this?" I asked.
"Open it," Bradie told me.
I did and what I saw amazed me. This was a Gibson Les Paul guitar. It was a really good one and they were expensive. I suddenly felt I should've tried harder with my Christmas shopping. "Guys," I picked it up. I now knew what was in the box. It was an amp. "I can't take this."
"Why?" said Bradie.
"Well, I mean, I'm not and overly good guitarist anyway and this is expensi-
"Forget about the money," Andy had come to sit beside me. "We wanted you to have it… and besides we got it cheap off a friend of ours."
"Then," I said. "Shaun should have it. I don't need this."
"Yes you do," said JumpNow. He closed the guitar case and sat it and the box in the corner.
"Fine," I turned to Andy, "I'm going to put the presents in the car."
"'K," He handed me his presents.
I opened the back door of the car, sat the presents on the other side and sat in the car with my feet on the gutter, feeling bad. I was crying now and I didn't care who saw me. Then, I felt a hand on my shoulder. I looked up.
"Hey," Andy was standing over me.
"Hi," I said chokily.
"What's up?" Andy sat on the gutter near my feet.
"I'm a horrible girlfriend. I haven't even been with you three hours and I've already upset you."
"What? I'm not upset."
"Don't pretend, Andy." I sobbed. "You didn't want that hair straightener."
"Baby, it's not that I don't like it." He looked guilty. "It's just… I bought myself that hair straightener a couple of days ago."
"Oh," I sobbed some more. "But, that's not the point. I wanted to buy you something really special because…" I trailed off.
"Hey," Andy reached up and grabbed my hand. "You just being here is special enough."
I cried as hard as ever. "But still, you bought me that guitar and I know that it was really expensive…you could've used that money for something – something important."
"Gem," I looked at Andy, he was staring straight at me. "You are important."
Andy picked me up and closed the car door. "Come on, let's go inside."