Right Gift Wrong Day

by Natalie Decker

  Her eyes level with mine. She bursts out laughing. “Good one. Seriously though, why?”

  “I am serious.”

  “Wow. Really? Isn’t it like a little soon for that?”

  “On top of that, they apparently exchange gifts. Does that mean I should get him something? Is he getting me something?” I move the hangers sharply to the left. Each dress seems to be just as awful as the last. No wonder why they’re all on clearance. “Then there is this whole family thing; am I supposed to get his mother something?”

  “Okay, you need to calm down. And, hell no to that one unless you want his mother to kick you out of the house for your poor taste in fashion.” I place the red dress back on the rack as she continues. “Why don’t you ask him if you should?”

  “I can’t just flat out ask him, ‘Hey, I was wondering if you were planning to get me something for Christmas?’ That’s super rude. And he’ll think I want him to get me a gift, or that I’m using him for his money. I’m not going to let him think I’m some gold digger.”

  She sneers. “He won’t think that. It’s a need-to-know question. Since when have you ever been afraid to ask a question? Who are you and what have you done with my friend?” She pokes my side, and I smack her hand away.

  “Quit it. I’m being serious. Could I ask one of his friends?”

  “Again, ask him. Guys aren’t like girls. They don’t talk about this kind of stuff.”

  I frown. “I can’t ask him. What if he had no intention of getting me anything more than a simple card? Asking him would guilt him into getting me a gift. I want us to be on the same page, not like how Adam and I were.”

  “For goodness sake, this relationship is nothing like what you and that idiot had. Tyler actually does things you like; it’s not all about him. He even thinks your sister is cool.”

  I smile. He does think Juliet is pretty cool. Adam always pretended my twin didn’t exist. At least Tyler always acknowledges her. Even if she looks like a ‘cavewoman,’ as he put it.

  Her phone has remained relatively quiet. Maybe I should suck it up and check on her. Rachel’s probably right, she doesn’t know what I did and even if she does find out, she may be too numb to care. God, if I see Mark, I’m kicking his sorry ass!

  Rachel sighs. “I’m going over there to see if I can find something. Be right back.”

  I nod, pull out Juliet’s phone, and frown. She doesn’t have a voice-to-text app. I’ll just call her. The phone rings about three times before I hear, “I swear you have the worst timing in the world. What do you want?”

  “What do you want for Christmas besides Mark’s head on a stick?”

  That should get a little laugh out of her. Maybe. Oh, crap maybe that was the wrong thing to say.

  There is a loud crunching sound in my ear. “Doesn’t matter. Books. Gift card. Whatever. What did you want?”

  “Are you planning on leaving the house?” I cringe at the thought. I hope if that’s her plan, she at least brushes her hair and puts on a clean shirt.

  “Why would I do that? I can get anything online. Anytime.”

  I sigh in relief. Although a huge part of me had hoped she would get out of the house. It isn’t healthy for her to be cooped up in that smelly room of hers.

  “Helloooo, I have a game to get back to. What do you want me to get you?” Juliet says.

  “Oh, I don’t care. Gift cards are fine. You know what stores I like.”

  “Yep.”

  “What do you think I should get Tyler?”

  She groans. “How should I know? I’m not dating him.”

  I’m just about to tell her thanks for the awesome help when her phone pulses against my palm. I pull it from my ear to see an incoming text appear from her friend, Adaline.

  Adaline: OMG!!! That text string was AMAZING! Good 4 u!

  “Uh … right. Never mind.”

  “What did you do?” Juliet asks.

  “Nothing.” I swallow hard.

  Her phone buzzes again. This message is from her other friend, Chase.

  Chase: Um … Gotta tell u that was kind of cold what u did. I’m here if u wanna talk.

  Crap! I chew on my lip. Do I ignore them? Yes. I’ll figure something out later.

  “Anyway, I’ll let you get back to your game.”

  “Fine. Don’t go crazy, that’s my advice. I know you. Sometimes you go all out because you think more is the goal. Less can be a goal too. Simple. Something meaningful. I guess. What the hell do I know? I’m single. You’re not.”

  “Okay. Thanks.” What can I possibly say to that?

  “The bright side of this is, if he doesn’t like it, you can keep it for yourself.”

  “Oh my God. You’re a freaking genius!”

  She grumbles. “Yippee. I’m super smart. I’m getting off here.”

  Without even a goodbye, she ends our call. I tuck her phone back into my purse.

  “Did you finally call him?” Rachel asks as she appears with a shirt in her grip that’s nothing like she would normally wear.

  I wrinkle my nose. “Please tell me that’s not for you. And no, I was talking to Juliet to ask her what she wanted for Christmas.”

  Rachel glances down at the shirt in her hand and looks up at me. “Why, you don’t like it?” she asks with a serious expression.

  “No. It looks like something my mom would wear.”

  She smiles. “I was kidding. This is for my mom.”

  “Oh. Cool.”

  “No, it isn’t, but it’s her style. Whatever. So, what did your sister want? Please tell me we don’t have to go to that creepy wizard store again. The sales clerk with the bullring was disgusting.” She shudders. “I’d rather be hit by a bus than have to enter that place ever again.”

  I roll my eyes. “You’re in luck. She doesn’t need anything from there, and it’s a comic store, not a wizard store.”

  “I don’t care, I’m not going back in there with you.” She walks up to the counter and slaps the gift for her mom down. The woman running the cash register gives us a dirty look. Rachel doesn’t seem to notice. “Oh.” She turns to me. “Does she want something from the video game store here? Because the guy that works there is hella hot. I’m down with going there.”

  This is the only way Rachel will even attempt to enter any stores with me when shopping for Juliet. The sales clerks need to be hot or she’s not going in.

  As Rachel reaches for her bag, I feel a pulsing sensation through the phone pouch in my purse. I pull it out and pale. “Shit.”

  Chapter Seven

  Tyler

  I text Layla’s phone.

  Me: Hey u. Text me when u get this.

  I wait.

  “Dude, what the hell are you doing in there, powdering your nose?” Austin shouts.

  Damn it. I need to warn Layla that the messages Mark sent to Juliet are out there for everyone to see. Not that I particularly care but I’m certain Juliet didn’t want those messages exposed. She would have done it already if she had. Even if Mark crying like a sap was amusing, it seems pretty f’d up.

  I step back into the game room with three Pepsi’s. “Quit your bitching. I got your damn drink.” I set his down in front of him while I take a seat and hand Jared his. I pop the tab on my can and take a sip.

  “This guy is still kicking our ass!” Austin complains.

  Jared stares at the screen and then mutters, “Damn it. I almost had him.”

  “Bullshit. That shot was way off. Tell him, Tyler,” Austin says.

  “Screw you,” Jared says. He reaches for the bowl of popcorn on the coffee table and tosses some in his mouth.

  “Did any of you see the new game controller they came out with?” Austin asks.

  “Yeah, I actually got one for Juliet. I should have bought one for myself.”

  Jared pauses mid-reach for more popcorn. “What do you mean you got one for Juliet?”

  Austin stares at me from his side of the table, probably waiting for a fight
to break out or something. He has this stupid smirk on his face. “Layla broke her last controller. I was being nice,” I answer.

  “Being someone’s bitch is more like it,” Austin says. “You totally just wasted your money. What kind of games does she play? The girly kind?”

  I ignore Austin. Jared doesn’t have that look like he’s about to go postal on me. “I don’t know. I haven’t seen the type of games she plays but from what Chase has said, Juliet is totally badass.”

  Austin snorts. Jared glares at him. “Well guys, I hate to do this but I gotta bounce,” I say. I’m not going to tell them it’s because I need to find Layla. I’ll never hear the end of it ditching my bros.

  “What?” Austin huffs.

  “I promised I’d get this one thing at the mall for my mom.” It’s a total lie. I get anything my mom wants online and have it shipped to the house. Next day delivery is awesome!

  Jared smacks my arm. “It’s cool. I have to head out too.”

  “Man, you guys suck. This is my only day off, and I thought we were going to all hang.”

  “Bro, you can totally come with,” I say.

  Austin shakes his head. “No thanks, man. Rachel’s at the mall, and I’m not in the mood for all that.”

  I exchange looks with Jared and then ask, “I thought you were into Rachel? Earlier when you were busting my balls about Layla, I figured you’d be all over seeing Rachel; did I miss something?”

  “Yeah. I’m into her,” Austin says while rising. “But I’m not into her rejections.”

  Jared slaps a hand on Austin’s shoulder. “I think you can do better.”

  “Better than Rachel Little? She’s one of the hottest girls in school. What’s the matter with you?” Austin scoffs.

  “She’s not that hot,” Jared mumbles, tossing his game remote aside.

  He’s right. I don’t think she’s hot at all.

  Austin steps toward the stairs then glances back. “Hey, are you still having your holiday party? You know the one where you invite the whole school over while your parents are in Aspen, or some shit?”

  I nod. “Yep, that will be on the twenty-ninth, bro.”

  He nods and takes to the stairs. Jared stays behind, and I ask, “What?”

  “How’s Juliet doing?”

  “Not good, man. She had Cheetos in her hair the other day.”

  He clenches his fists. “I swear Mark better not be at your party. I’ll put him in the hospital.”

  “I feel you. You know how my parties go though, people just show up. But hey, with those text messages of his out there, maybe he won’t even show.”

  “Since when has something like that ever stopped Mark? It’s probably going to fuel his need to get her back.”

  I shrug. “Then you need to make sure he doesn’t get her back.”

  Jared doesn’t say another word. He just leaves the house.

  Layla’s name pops up on my phone. I slide my finger across the screen and say, “Hey, thank God you called.”

  “Is your girlfriend with you?”

  “What? Lay … Juliet?”

  “Yeah. She still has my phone and isn’t picking up. I assume that means she’s with you, or she’s avoiding me. I know what she did, so there is no use protecting her. Just put her on the phone.”

  I sigh. “Juliet, I’d love to help you out, but she’s not with me. Also, I don’t have your number, so I can’t call her.”

  “When you see her, tell her that when I agreed to hand over my phone, it did not mean I wanted her to go through it.”

  “I’m not an errand boy. But if she does stop by, I’ll let her know to call. You can’t be pissed off though. Right? I am sure it was an accident.”

  “I know it most likely was, but it still shouldn’t have happened. The both of you could never get this. You two can get away with crap like this, and it won’t really affect your social life. Me though? I can’t. She just ruined any kind of social existence I had.”

  “It’s fine, Juliet. I’ll fix it, but this means you owe me.”

  I hear her mumble something.

  “What was that?” I ask.

  “I don’t owe you anything!”

  “You do. It’s nothing big, I swear. Just be ready when I need you.”

  The phone line goes dead. My football wallpaper appears. Dammit.

  Chapter Eight

  Layla

  I’m in a straight panic. I don’t know what to do. Rachel is absolutely the worst help in the world. She left as soon as she saw a group of hot guys outside the tattoo shop. Whatever. I just hope she doesn’t leave the mall, otherwise I’m going to have to Uber my way back home.

  I know the day isn’t over, but I’ve only gotten a few gifts, and they’re for my mom and Rachel. I still have no dress, no gift for my sister, and nothing for Tyler. This is hopeless. I’m never going to find Tyler a really great gift.

  Even if I did take Rachel’s advice to call Tyler and ask him what he likes, I can’t. I have Juliet’s phone which doesn’t have his number programmed into it. And I would ask my sister to text me his number but seeing as I have a massive amount of angry texts from her, I don’t think she’ll be in a helpful mood.

  I snag a smoothie from the mall’s food court, walk over to a section of empty tables, and plop down into a chair. I sip the raspberry concoction, not really paying attention to anyone else coming or going past me.

  “Hey, Layla. Getting your shopping in?” Jared asks as he drops into a seat across from me.

  I nod. “Trying to.”

  I must sound grumpy because he starts to stand. “Wait! You’re perfect!” I suddenly say. Jared is Tyler’s best friend. He would know if Tyler was getting me something.

  “Uh … Okay.” Jared looks a little scared.

  I grab my bags and Jared’s arm then tug him with me. “I need to get Tyler something for Christmas; I just don’t know what he wants.”

  “I’d love to help, Layla, I really would, but I’ve got to be back at my house by three.”

  I wave him off. “We’ll get you back in time. Hot date?”

  “No,” he deadpans.

  “Oh.”

  We move through the crush of people. “How’s Juliet?” he asks.

  I frown. “Not good. She’s been in her room most of the time.”

  His jaw tightens.

  I point to a sports store. “What about this one?”

  “Honestly, you want to impress Tyler, don’t go for sports, it’s the obvious go to.” Well, duh; that’s why I picked it. “He really likes cooking.”

  I gave Jared a look. “So, what? I should get him a cookbook?”

  “Yeah, and some tools.”

  This sounds like an awful idea, but Jared assures me Tyler would love it more than sports stuff.

  In the Pans-and-More store, I scan the rows and rows of cookware. Do I buy him pans? No that’s stupid. Oh, an apron. I swing one around and say, “What do you think?”

  “I can see Tyler in that,” Jared says with a laugh.

  I stuff it in my cart and turn down the next aisle. “Juliet would love this!” I grab a cooling rack for cookies.

  “She bakes?” Jared asks.

  “My sister makes the most amazing cookies ever.”

  Jared smiles. “I can see that.”

  Could he? She doesn’t really give off the Suzie-homemaker vibe. Lately, she’s been giving off the “everyone can go to hell” vibe. Thinking about her makes me worry all over again.

  “I should probably call her.” At least tell her I’m sorry about the texting accident.

  Jared’s fist tightens. “She’s really bad off, isn’t she?”

  I don’t want to go into all the details with him. So, I’m not going to mention her lack of hygiene as of late because that’s embarrassing. Or, the fact that her room makes me cringe in fear because this is just a phase. She’ll snap out of it. Eventually. Until then, I also won’t mention that she’s mastered “total resting bitch face” like a pr
o. Because the heartache Mark caused my sister made her like this. That person who looks like my sister and stays in her room, is not the same sister I grew up with. Instead, I say the only thing I can, “He was her first boyfriend. I can’t be sure about this, but I also think he was her first kiss.” I wince as I realize Juliet would not want him to know that. “Promise you won’t repeat that.”

  Jared’s jaw tightens again. “I’m not a gossip.”

  He turns his intense gaze from mine, and I swear if Mark was in front of us, I think Jared might hurt him. Does Jared still have feelings for my sister? I didn’t think he did because he seemed cold toward Juliet at the dance. At least that’s what she told me.

  Maybe she was wrong. Maybe I should stop talking about Juliet altogether with Jared.

  Chapter Nine

  Tyler

  “Tyler, when is your sister coming to the house?” Mom yells from the dining room. I’m currently three rooms away, and could easily pretend I don’t hear her. But she’ll continue to shout until I respond.

  “I’m not sure.” It’s not like I keep tabs on her every move. What do I look like, a GPS?

  “Call her,” she shouts.

  I roll my eyes. “Fine whatever.” I lift my phone from my pocket and dial my sister.

  “What, turd?”

  “Hello to you too. Mom wants to know your location?”

  “I’m in my hotel room typing.”

  “Why are you staying in a hotel? You know the whole left wing of the house is vacant.”

  “And have Mom hover and lurk over my shoulder every second of the day? Constantly asking me what I’m working on? I don’t think so. I don’t need her shit.”

  “Wow. Okay. So, should I lie and say your flight was delayed?”

  “Sure. Wait a second, what’s in it for you?”

  “Nothing. I get to leave the house and find a gift for my girlfriend. It’s a win-win.”