“Hot Cocoa?” My boss, Nadia, says the second I’m in the door. She knows how much I hate being cold. This is probably her way of apologizing for not telling me about my volunteer hours.
“No thanks,” I say. “I’m warm enough.”
She looks up from the cupcakes she’s frosting, brown hair sticking to the side of her head. “What happened?”
“Nothing,” I shrug. “It was fun.”
Nadia peels off her rubber gloves and puts the back of her hand to my forehead. “No fever?”
I push her off. “I’m not sick.”
She steps back, putting a finger to her lips as she examines me.
“Stop,” I say covering my face with a hand.
“You can’t tan in the winter,” she says walking around me. “Your skin is naturally dark anyway.”
I roll my eyes, but don’t look at her. “Thanks for finally noticing, Boss.”
“It’s something else,” she says, still circling me.
I huff and finally meet her gaze. “Will you quit it?”
Her tiny brown eyes go wide as she sucks in a breath. “You’re glowing.”
“For heaven’s sake,” I say, untying my apron, and crossing the room to hang it up.
“Chico?” she says narrowing her eyes, her Latino accent coming through full force. Of course she knows it’s a boy. I wish I was better at hiding my emotions, but I suck at it.
I wrap my apron around the hook, twice. “That’s enough.”
She squeals, holding her fists under chin. “Tell me about him!”
“There’s nothing to—” I start, but who am I kidding? I can’t wait to spill. “I didn’t think boys like existed anywhere near Little Falls. It’s like he fell from the sky and ended up at the right Christmas party.”
“Oh, niña,” she says taking my forearms. “I’m so happy for you.”
I shake her off. “It’s nothing like that. Come to think of it, he must be an alien because he disappeared as fast as he came.”
Her face drops. “I’m sorry, hon. Seems like he was special.”
I don’t want to think about it anymore. “It’s over now. Who cares? I meet people all the time I never see again.”
Nadia gives me sympathy smile. “Whatever you say. Now you better run home and start packing for your trip. I’d hate for you forget anything.”
She’s right. It’s late and the roads are slick. “Are you going to be okay for a week without me?”
She nudges me with a hip. It hits my thigh since she’s so much shorter than me. “I’ll survive. Now scat!”
I don’t have to be told twice, so I give her a wave and run out the door into the frosty night.
I have that feeling. The one where I know something is going to go wrong.
At first, I think it’s because I forgot my toothbrush or something, but there’s more.
I should be excited. I’ve never been on a ski retreat before. My family rarely vacations, because money. But this year for Christmas my Uncle flew in from Egypt and gifted us with this trip. He spouted something about family bonding and crap, but to me it’s a chance to escape.
There’s a lot of good things going for me. I have an awesome job with a great boss. My own room (however small), and dinner every night. What I don’t have going for me is school.
Parents don’t get it. I have to be stuck in that horrid building five days a week with the same awful people. They’re not all bad, but the majority of them are immature a-holes.
Not to mention the pressure my parents are constantly giving me about choosing a college major. They should know not everyone has their life mapped out at seventeen.
For the next week, I’m going to forget all about homework, and majors, and anything else that stresses me out, and just relax.
That is, after I can get out of the car and avoid my family.
“What is that smell?”
“Whoever smelt it, delt it,” Ammon, my fourteen-year-old brother, says.
I can’t roll down the window fast enough. He just had to wait until we’re all in an enclosed tin can to let his gas lose. “You’re disgusting, you know that?”
“Your face is disgusting.”
I’m not sure what it is about the age of fourteen that turns every member of the male species into kindergartners with facial hair, but there it is. Too bad most of them don’t grow out of it, either.
“Very funny, Am. I’m laughing so hard no sound is coming out.”
“That’s enough,” Dad says from the front seat. “We’ll be there in half hour. Can you two not fight until then?”
It wouldn’t be a problem if Ammon wasn’t such a dweeb. I want this vacation to be awesome, however, so I plug in my headphones instead. It’s only an hour from my home anyway, and music is the best way to travel with the fam.
I’m half asleep by the time the car pulls up to stop. I’m aware enough to know we’ve arrived, but not awake enough to have control over my body.
Since my brain likes to play games with me, it decides now is a good time for a falling dream. I spasm awake, then reach for the door handle as I notice the fam has exited our car. Because I’m still not fully functioning, I stumble forward and almost trip like three times before finding my balance.
I sway as I stand, and grab onto the thing closest to me to stabilize myself, which happens to be a bell boy.
I didn’t mean to grab onto him, but the situation called for it. I breathe for a second to orient myself until my eyes drift to the nametag in front of me.
Now my brain is really messing with me. There’s no way there are two boys this height with that name. It has to be a joke.
I blink and shake my head so I can look again.
“Vee?” I hear directly above me.
I’m still asleep. That’s what this has to be. No way would real life be this cruel.
I clear my throat and stand straight, brushing off the bell boy’s vest as I go.
Please don’t let it be him. Please don’t let it be him.
“I’m sorry about that,” I say, letting my gaze drift to the bell boy’s face.
Please, for the love of all that’s holy, don’t let it be him.
My gaze doesn’t make it to his eyes before I know. One darling dimple peeking out on the right side of his face is enough information.
I’m screwed. I might as well start drilling a hole in the cement below me. Bye losers! I’m digging a hole to China.
“Vee?” he says again, this time his voice going up in pitch.
I try to push down the flames bursting across my cheeks, but there’s no hiding this blush. Not even in my dark skin.
“Hey!” I say, weakly attempting to wave at him as I back up.
“What are you doing here?” he says, a little too happy considering the way I just fell into him. Because let’s be honest, that’s what happened.
“Oh,” I say, trying straighten my hair. “I’m...I’m..” What the heck am I doing?
“Is this your boyfriend?” a voice says behind me. The last voice I want to hear at this moment.
I nudge my brother in the ribs. “Shut up, Ammon.”
“Oh, so you like him?” Ammon says in that teenage taunt.
I press my lips together, subtly kicking the back of Ammon’s foot. “You should go help mom and dad.”
“No way,” Ammon says, raising his eyebrows at Yangbin. “There are people here for that.”
“I’m sorry,” I say, looking at Yangbin fully for the first time. Holy cheese, I’m talking to Yangbin.
I was too busy being self-conscience before to really appreciate him, but wow. It hasn’t been that long since we last saw each other. Like three days, tops. I’m not sure how I could forget what he really looked like in that short time. I mean, I remembered he was pretty, but standing face to face with him is a whole new experience.
“Your brother’s right,” Yangbin says, shuffling his feet. “I work here, so I should be helping you with your bags.”
&n
bsp; My eyes go wide as I start shaking my head. This is not happening.
“It’s okay, really,” I say, stepping in front of him. “We can handle it.”
My dad comes between us. “Let the man do his job.”
Right. Can’t argue with that.
“It’s nice to see you here, Vee,” he says, right before he wheels our bags away.
We all follow him, and I lag as far behind as I can. When we get to the elevator, I don’t turn around. Maybe if I pretend I can’t see him, he’ll pretend he can’t see me.
Ammon, who’s on my left, leans into me and starts humming “Vee and Yangbin sittin’ in a tree K-I-S-S-I-N-G.” I would punch him if Yangbin wasn’t watching.
We stop on the fifth floor, and I let everyone else get out first so I can walk in the back with my head down.
I hear what’s happening in front of me before I see it. My uncle must already be here because dad and him are doing their handshake hug thing that sounds like two elephants crashing into each other.
My family is so embarrassing.
“Come on in,” My uncle says. “I got us adjoining suites. Parents in here, kids in there.”
This place is incredible. I noticed on the way in, but I didn’t have to chance to let it soak. I have no idea how my Uncle could afford this, but I’m keeping my mouth shut and enjoying the ride.
In the ‘kids’ suite there’s two bedrooms and a fold-out couch. Since my Uncle only has one daughter, I bet I get a bed to myself. Mom better make Ammon sleep in the living room.
“Should I just put your bags here?”
I jump, spinning around. I didn’t think Yangbin had followed me.
“Let me get that for you,” I say, taking it from his hands.
He was the last thing I expected today, and I sorta wish he would hurry and leave and maybe forget everything he saw. Then we could start fresh.
I place my bag on the bed in one of the rooms, effectively marking the space as my own. When I turn around Yangbin hasn’t left yet.
“You’re still here?” I say before my brain catches up to my mouth. I need that tunnel to China, ASAP.
He rubs the toe of his shoe into the carpet. “You’re right. I should get back to work.”
“Okay,” I say, not sure how to recover my idiocy.
Did I really have to tell him to leave? I can’t take it back now, even though I’m desperate to tell him to stay. You’re still here? My words echo in my brain, reminding me that I have no idea how to be polite.
He gives me a small wave. “Well, see-ya.”
I can only nod. Because that’s what people do when they’ve made a colossal mistake. I think I’ll regret that sentence for the rest of my life.
Sparkles Go With
Everything
This was my chance. I launch myself face first into the bed, and start screaming into the pillow. I ruin everything.
“You okay there?” a voice says behind me.
I look up to see my cousin, Miriam. She already knows I’m crazy, so this is nothing new.
“I’m fine.” I snap. “I just need a minute to myself.”
She’s biting back a laugh, I can tell. It’s not fair that she’s pretty and fun. Sometimes I wish I was her.
“Sure,” she says. “We’re all going to lunch in an hour.”
“Fine, fine,” I respond, shooing her out of the room.
I am so screwed. I bet Yangbin didn’t make it far, and even if he did, I know he’s stationed at the front entrance. It wouldn’t be so hard. I could just chase after him and say something really cool or sexy, like...like...“Hey, how’s it goin’?”
Yeah. Dead meat.
If there was something I could do to fix this right now, I would. Instead I’ll just let things cool off for an hour, then maybe I’ll go find him. Maybe.
There’s a soft knock at my door. “Hey Vee?” Miriam says.
“What?” I groan.
The door swings open. “Minute’s up!” Miriam shouts, holding out a can and spraying.
I’m so shocked it takes me a second to realize what’s happening. Silly string. All over me. What are we? Eight?
“You are so dead!” I yell.
“Catch,” she calls back, throwing another can into my hands. “Now you can’t kill me, because we’re even.”
“Wanna bet?”
I chase after her, spraying the plastic string right into her hair. We end up pelting each other and laughing so hard our stomach’s hurt. Miriam knows just how to get me out of a funk.
“We made a huge mess,” she says after we’ve calmed down a bit.
“No,” I correct her. “You made a huge mess. I was defending myself.”
She gives me a soft jab in the shoulder. “Fine. I’ll clean up, but I suggest you fix yourself. Unless you want to go to lunch looking like that.”
I pull a long pink strand from my hair. She’s right. Yangbin is probably still out there, and I don’t want him to notice me until I figure out how to make up for being such a jerk.
The thing is, I want to see him. If I could walk up to him like a regular person and have a conversation, maybe, just maybe, we could...I dunno...become friends at least. Someday, that could lead to more than friends.
But thanks to my big mouth, I need to avoid him. Even if everything in me screams to run out and apologize.
I end up helping Miriam clean, because that’s who I am. Someone who says dumb stuff, then acts nice. I wish Yangbin could see it.
“So are you going to tell me?” Miriam asks as we both stand in front of the mirror to fix ourselves up.
“Tell you what?” I say, feigning innocence.
She gives me that are-you-serious? stare, and I sigh.
“I’m just stupid. That’s all.”
“Not true,” Miriam says, fixing her mascara. “So what really happened?”
“That’s it.” I reply. “I opened my mouth and stupidity flowed out.”
Miriam stops putting away her makeup to stare at me. “It’s a boy? Here?”
Dang she’s perceptive. I try to think of a way to deny it, but before I can spit out an excuse, she takes my hands and starts jumping up and down.
“Eeeeee! You have a crush?”
I wouldn’t go that far. I think Yangbin is cute, and I don’t want him to hate me. That’s all.
“Miriam, stop.”
She shakes her head so fast I swear her dark hair’s about to fly off. “No way. You have to tell me every detail. We’re stuck together for the next two weeks, and I’m not letting you keep secrets.”
But...but...I don’t want to.
“It’s the bellhop,” my brother chimes in.
I don’t know when he showed up, but he has exceptionally bad timing.
“Now can we go eat?” Ammon complains. “I’m starving.”
I scoff at him. “You’re always starving. Didn’t you eat a family size bag of Doritos in the car?”
He clutches his stomach. “Yeah, but that was like two hours ago.”
Miriam and I look at each other, shaking our heads.
“Hurry up,” Ammon says. “Everyone is waiting.”
With that, he leaves. I’m about to follow, but Miriam clutches my arm. “The bellhop? The cute one that brought your stuff up? How do you know him?”
I wiggle loose from her grip. “I just met him couple days ago.”
Miriam covers her mouth, eyes wide as she stares at me. “Look at that smile. You must spill.”
I tug her towards the door. “Come on, I don’t want to talk about it. I made a fool of myself, and I’m sure he’ll never speak to me again. Now let’s eat before Ammon has a heart attack.”
“I’m not letting this go,” Miriam says. “You will tell me eventually. And if I get my way, I’ll be living with you until I go to college.”
She says the last part under her breath, and I’m not sure if I heard her right. “Did you say you’re coming to live with me?”
“What?” She feigns. “I
didn’t say anything. Now tell me!”
“Fine,” I say, “But it’s no big deal. Really.”
She smiles. “Okay, but I wouldn’t scream into my pillow if it was no big deal.”
“Shut up,” I say, opening the door to the hallway. “I’ll tell you later. Right now, there are open ears.”
Miriam gives me a little salute/wink combination. Are there no secrets in this world?
The majority of lunch is spent with me picking at my food while Miriam sends me knowing glances.
Yangbin wasn’t outside when we left, not that I was looking for him or anything. It’s a relief because I didn’t have to figure out how I was going to face him. I’m not sure I want to face him.
What if I do something insane again? What if he never forgives me? What if I’m already attached with no hope of redemption?
No. I cross the last one out of my head and shove it into a closet with no light.
“Mom, pleaase?” I hear Miriam begging as we leave the restaurant. “We’re on vacation. You should let us do something fun.”
“We’re going skiing tomorrow,” Miriam’s mom hedges. “Who knows what could be going on at that concert?”
“Mom,” Miriam says in an all-knowing tone. “It’s put on by the hotel. There won’t be any drugs. Even you can come watch. It’s only two bucks.”
I notice the poster Miriam is pointing at, so I scoot over to take a look.
“MIXX?” I say aloud, reading the name of the band.
“You know them?” Miriam says, spinning to clutch the collar of my tee.
I brush her off. “No. I don’t.”
She swoons, clutching a fist to her heart. “They’re only the best underground band out there. I HAVE to see them.”
“Wait,” I say, holding up a finger. “You know about an underground band based in New York when you live in Egypt?”
If I really think about it, I shouldn’t be surprised. Miriam also knows stuff about Kim Kardashian I wouldn’t dare look up. She’s to date on American pop culture more than most Americans.
“They’re actually Korean, but yeah” Miriam replies. “Mom, you have to let me go. This is a once in a lifetime chance.”
I’ve never seen Miriam so worked up over a band. I don’t even know what kind of music she likes. I turn my attention back to the poster to look for hints. “All proceeds go to the National Down Syndrome Foundation. Cool.”
Snowflake Kisses Page 2