Sonny

"Sonny! You're here early," Chad said as he stepped aside to let me in.

"Yeah. Well, I wasn't really having much luck with Zora's present so I decided maybe I'd have better luck after a good night's sleep. And of course I wasn't ready to go to sleep quite yet." I set down my things and helped myself to one of the steaming mugs at the bar. Looked like he had been prepared.

"I just don't get what your big deal is." Chad came and sat beside me, playing with the rising steam from his drink. "Why are you so worried about the whole gift thing?"

"Well…they're my friends," I answered. Duh! "I mean, I wanna get something that means something to them."

"No, I mean…why do you bother getting presents for them? It's just hassle. And December is supposed to be chill, you know?" He got up and walked around to the kitchen, searching the cabinets.

"Wait. So you've never given anyone a Christmas present?" Well, that was appalling!

"Haha, nope," he smirked, finally locating something that looked like a cookie tin. He opened it to reveal mini marshmallows. Really? "And I don't think I ever will. Chad Dylan Cooper doesn't do stress."

I couldn't help but glare at him. "Really? You'd be that selfish about your own relaxation as to not get anything for anyone. Not even your girlfriend?"

"I make a point not to have girlfriends during the holidays," he replied with a bored voice. "It just adds to the stress. I mean, they get all infuriated because I 'don't so much as give them a single rose'." He walked back over with his freshly marshmallowed drink and looked at me with a 'well, obviously' expression. "That's Valentines Day, no duh."

Deciding this was a losing battle, I made an attempt at subject change. "So…my mom is heading for Wisconsin tomorrow morning."

"I care so deeply."

"Chad…"

"No really! My life depended on that vital piece of information!" His eyes looked up at me as he took another sip. I couldn't help but laugh.

"Anyway! Lucy is coming down here. You remember her?" Chad nodded and grimaced. "So, I don't think I'll be visiting you as often for the next few days."

His face fell and he set down his hot chocolate. "Oh." Then he smiled again, not looking at me. "Well, that's cool. I mean, we both have separate lives, right?"

"Right." We sipped in silence for a little while. "So, um…how about we listen to some Christmas music?"

"Not too into hearing Jingle Bell Rock ten times by seven different artists."

I shrugged in agreement. I mean, I suppose he was right. It was a bit too early to be getting sick of I'll Be Home For Christmas.

---

Man, I could talk an awful lot with Chad. I felt he should practically know my life by now. "Well, it's almost nine…"

"Sonny, it's Saturday! Give yourself a little break," he insisted. "And it's like, 45 outside. You'll freeze."

"Chad, that's nothing. I grew up in Wisconsin. The 'high' this time of year would be 25 degrees." It was funny to see his blue eyes get so wide. "Look, my mom leaves tomorrow morning early. She won't be back until after Christmas."

"So? I haven't seen my mom in months."

"Aw! Chad!" I rubbed his arm comfortingly but he gave me a quizzical look. "Listen, after Lucy leaves my mom will still be gone and we can hang out as long as we want."

He tried to hide it but I saw his face brighten. It gave his demeanor a hint of sweetness and I couldn't stop myself before my lips landed on his cheek. Chad couldn't disguise the shock. I kinda blushed. "I'm sorry, I don't know why I did that."

"Uh, no. It's fine…" he mumbled, then putting on a false front he added, "You just couldn't help yourself. I don't blame you, I guess. I mean," he smirked. "I'm Chad Dylan Cooper."

I rolled my eyes and grabbed my coat. "Oh, yeah, that's it."

He walked to the door with me, again. "Well, until…Monday?"

"Tuesday. Bye, Chad."