In and Out of Love-Chapter 17

By MyNameIsCAL

Today was the big day, Christmas Eve. Well, big day for Iggy, anyway.

"Oh gosh they're still talking about you and Max on the news," Nudge said.

Gazzy took a seat next to Nudge. "Next thing you know they'll be begging all of us to one of those TV specials."

She laughed.

"They already have," Max frowned. "They keep trying to contact Carter. He sent me an email the other day."

Angel sat on the floor, staring at the TV. There was something going through her head. She must have been listening to our thoughts. Although I got the feeling she wasn't listening to mine.

Nudge is going to be upset. Angel was looking at me now. But Gazzy, he has it in his head that he'll be able to keep Nudge together. You know how Nudge feels about Iggy. She knows she'll never get Iggy, but she's gonna deny it anyway.

I took a glance at Nudge. Gazzy was trying to talk to her, but she seemed distracted.

See? Angel said.

I frowned.

"What's wrong?" Max looked worried all of a sudden.

I shook my head. "I'll tell you later."

It was tradition to exchange presents on Christmas Eve after dinner. Iggy and Mom had cooked this year. Some old with the new. Iggy sat between Ella and Nudge. They were both trying to talk to Iggy at the same time. He seemed overwhelmed, trying to give both of them his attention. Gazzy had already given up trying to talk to Nudge.

Dinner was just about over now. The plates were empty. I stood, tired of watching Nudge try to fight for Iggy's attention. Mom needed help with the dishes, so I busied myself with washing. By the time everything was washed, it was time to exchange gifts. Although most of us hadn't really wanted anything. The things we would receive would mostly be a surprise.

Ella passed around cards to everyone. Since Angel was the youngest, she got the most gifts. For all of us, the gifts never mattered. It was just about being with each other. Surviving Itex had been a blessing almost and we couldn't be invincible forever.

"So, uh, I got you a gift even though you told me not to," Max said.

"Oh." I felt stupid now. I didn't actually have anything for Max.

She pulled something out of her pocket and tossed something at me. "You can see it when we get back to the apartment. I think you'll like it."

I looked down at what I had caught. It was a set of keys.

"Max, you didn't have to get me a car."

"Hey, it was my fault yours got totaled. Besides, I'll probably like it more than you do," she smiled.

For the past couple of years, Nudge has made us all clothing. To my surprise, I still find I wear a lot of it. For me, it's usually a jacket or a button down shirt. Nudge had a way of knowing what we liked to wear. One year she actually made me these pair of really comfortable jeans. I still wore them.

"So this year, I figured I'd make another pair of jeans for you," Nudge said, handing me a box. "They're pretty much the same."

"Thanks," I said, giving her a half smile, trying not to think about Iggy and Ella.

She handed another box to Max and continued to move around the room. Iggy was always the nice guy though. He opened Nudge's box and threw on the jacket she had made him this year.

"Oh wow that's a nice jacket," Max commented.

It was a dark brown, almost like an army jacket, but not quite. I got the feeling if Iggy could see, he would like it a lot. Nudge seemed really happy now, her eyes beaming.

A few more gifts were exchanged. I gave Gazzy a gift card for the local gas station since he drove Iggy around all the time. Iggy received some cooking stuff. Overall, compare or gifts from this year to last, not much had changed.

Except for when Iggy got down on his knee, taking Ella's hand.

"Ella, I've been thinking about this a lot. And I've thought about it for a long time. I know you've still got another year of college to go, but I don't want to wait to ask anymore." It was scary how Iggy could talk to people and make it look like he was looking at them even though he couldn't see. "What I'm really trying to say is, will you marry me, Ella?"

He opened a box, revealing a ring.

Ella looked like she was going to cry. She nodded. "Yes, Iggy, yes I'll marry you."

He stood, smiling, and put the ring on Ella. They kissed briefly. Gazzy whistled and we all laughed.

And the night ended like that. You could tell by the way Nudge looked at Iggy and Ella that inside she was hurting. And I knew that feeling before, watching the one person you loved the most go off with someone else.