Love Or Hate

Chapter 13

It is now Christmas Eve. "What?" asked Daniela. "Grandma is going to bring a friend and her friend's grandson over." Daniela's mother replied. "When?" asked Daniela. "I think in a half an hour probably." answered her mother. "Why?" Daniela asked. "I don't know, your grandmother didn't tell me." said her mom. "Do you know who?" Daniela asked. "What's up with all the questions?" her mother stopped stirring the pasta. "It'll be alright. The boy is your age. I think he goes to your school. Now stop asking questions I need to finish the food for dinner." I wonder who that is, thought Daniela. "Alright." said Daniela and she walked away. She put on her shoes and walked outside. "I am seriously confused about who is coming." Daniela said to herself. "Oh well, I guess I'll find out soon." Brrr it's cold. Maybe a bit of soccer will warm me up, thought Daniela. She grabbed her soccer ball and kicked it at the fence. It rolled back to her. Daniela kicked the ball again repeatedly.
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          "I'm tired of kicking the ball. It's been, I don't know, twenty five minutes!" exclaimed Daniela. Daniela kicked the soccer ball hard against the fence. She fell flat on the ground at looked up at the sky. "So this place hasn't changed a bit since the last time I've been here." Daniela recognized that voice. She quickly sat up. "Hey Daniela. Long time no see." "Felix?" said Daniela. "Yeah, who else?" Felix asked. "I didn't think you'd be coming to my house today." replied Daniela. "Me either. But when my grandma drove me here with her friend, I recognized your house." answered Felix. Daniela looked surprised. Felix went over and sat next to Daniela. "I brought you something, to say thanks for the gingerbread cookie and just to say Merry Christmas." said Felix. He took out a small box from his pocket and handed it to Daniela. She opened it. It was a shiny silver necklace with the letter "D" attached to it. The "D" had small little clear "crystals" that shined brightly when the sunlight hit them. Daniela was surprised to see what Felix had given her. "I don't know what to say. But thanks. You didn't have to." Daniela thanked. "Your welcome. I happened to see it when I was at the mall with my family." replied Felix. "How did you have it now, if you didn't know you were coming over." asked Daniela. "I accidentally left it in my grandmother's car and I remembered about it when we came here." claimed Felix. "We'll it's really nice, thanks." said Daniela. "Yeah." Felix smiled. "Here let me put it on you." Felix held out his hand for the necklace. Daniela carefully handed Felix the necklace and turned around. Felix put the necklace around her neck and clipped it on. Daniela turned back around. Felix grinned, "It looks great on you." "Thanks." blushed Daniela.
           "Hey kids! It's starting to get colder. Come inside." suggested Daniela's mother, as she opened the door wider for the both of them to enter the house. Felix and Daniela got up and walked inside. They both entered the living room and sat on the couch next to each other. All the adults were in the kitchen. The other kids were locked up in their rooms playing video games. It was quiet and calm. "I found a picture," Daniela paused and stretched out her legs. "Of us sitting on this same exact couch next to each other." "Oh really?" asked Felix, interested to hear more and moved closer to Daniela. "Yeah, we were both maybe seven or eight years old it looked like. We were both smiling brightly." Daniela turned her head and stared at Felix. Felix looked at her and blushed. "We used to hang out all the time in elementary school. Then fifth grade rolled around and we never spoke again." Daniela looked closely at him. Felix looked away and spoke, "Yup, I guess since we were moved into different classes and made new friends, that we didn't have anytime to hangout." "I guess so." agreed Daniela.
        "So how's it going with you?" asked Felix. "Everything's going great. Two weeks ago, Louis actually asked me out after lunch. I accepted. I'm glad I did. He has treated me well." Daniela replied, smiling a little. Felix bit his lip. "So what did he give you for Christmas?" Felix asked, looking into Daniela's eyes. "He didn't give me anything." answered Daniela, trying to avoid eye contact. Felix frowned. Daniela noticed, "It doesn't really matter if he didn't give me anything, my real gift is earning him as a boyfriend. He was my wish come true." Felix's eyebrow twitched. "I never thought I'd ever find a guy like Louis. He is my everything. I don't know what I would do without him." added Daniela. "I don't want to hear it." mumbled Felix. "What?" asked Daniela, she couldn't hear Felix clearly. "I don't want to hear you talk about Louis." said Felix angrily. His face showed anger and disappointment. Daniela's eyes widened, "Sorry I didn't mean . . ." "No, Daniela, I have to tell you something." Felix interrupted Daniela. "What? What is it?"  Daniela hesitated to ask, not sure if she wants to know. "The truth is I . . . I have a crush on you." confessed Felix blushing hard.
Daniela's face turned red and her eyes widened. She was shocked. "I didn't want to tell you yet, but just hearing you talk about your feelings for Louis, I couldn't stand it anymore." Felix added. Daniela opened her mouth, "I . . I uh-" "It's okay, you don't have to say anything. I already know you like Louis." Felix interrupted. Daniela sighed. "I have something to tell you. I had a crush on you too. But that was before I met Louis. My whole world changed the minute he stepped into my life. I am so sorry Felix." Felix was shocked to hear what Daniela had said. "I . . uh . . it's alright." stuttered Felix, his face turning red again.  "No, I am very sorry." Daniela's eyes were sad. "I don't even know if I should accept this necklace you gave me. It's beautiful, but I don't deserve it after I had just given you so much pain." Daniela started to remove the necklace. "No! Keep it. It's one way I have been able to show my feelings for you." Felix grabbed Daniela's hand. Felix stared into Daniela's brown eyes. Felix started to lean closer to Daniela. His face started to come closer and closer. Daniela closed her eyes. Louis! What should I do? Stop! "No!" exclaimed Daniela, as she pushed Felix away from her. "I'm sorry Felix. I told you, I already have a boyfriend." apologized Daniela. "He'll never know." whispered Felix. "It doesn't matter, even if I were to have you do it without him finding out, I wouldn't feel right doing it." protested Daniela. "Guys! It's time for our Christmas feast! Get in the kitchen!" announced Daniela's mother. She looked at Daniela and Felix. Daniela still had her hands against Felix shoulders, and she was leaning back a little bit. "What are two doing?" her mother asked. "Nothing! Nothing." replied Daniela, getting up. Felix and her walked into the kitchen.
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"Zoey, ten more until Christmas!" exclaimed Daniela. "You guys really stay up until twelve am just to say Merry Christmas?" Felix yawned. "Sure, it's just like New Year's Eve. We used to sleep, but then we preferred to stay up late." replied Yasmin. "My family must me sleeping peacefully right now." said Felix. "Well, welcome to my family. You come to visit after eight, and you'll be staying up for hours." laughed Daniela. "I'm at least glad to see your family again after four years." smiled Felix. He smirked, "Has Louis met your family yet?" Daniela turned at looked at him. "No." said Daniela. "Five minutes 'til Christmas you guys!" announced Daniela's father. "Do you want something to drink?" asked Daniela, trying to change the subject. "Sure." replied Felix. Daniela poured some juice for Felix. Soon, they entered the living room again. "10, 9, 8, 7, 6," everyone chanted. "5, 4, 3, 2, 1! Merry Christmas!" Everyone hugged each other. Daniela hugged all of her family members. Felix stood alone, his grandmother was fast asleep on the couch. "Why don't you go and hug Felix?" suggested Daniela's mother. Daniela blushed. "I don't know . . ." said Daniela. "Go." Daniela's mother pushed Daniela towards Felix. Daniela took a deep breath. "Let's hug, just like when we were younger." smiled Daniela. Felix smiled. They hugged. "I want you to know that, if things don't turn out good with Louis, I'll be waiting." Felix whispered in her ear. Daniela blushed hard.
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       "Bye, I'll see you at school." said Daniela. "I'll see you then, bye." Felix replied. Then his grandmother and him left. "Well that was nice, having Felix over at our house again." her mother smiled. "Yeah." Daniela replied. After opening their presents, they all went to bed. Daniela couldn't sleep. I really don't know what to do! My life is going crazy! Someone please help me! I don't know what I'll do when I see Felix at school next week. I don't even know why the both of them even like me. It doesn't make any sense! My Christmas just turned into a surprise of a lifetime. Daniela sighed. "I wish this never happened." whispered Daniela.