"I was 19."
"I've never," he forced a smile.
The air between us became still.
"Why not?"
"Don't you have a bet to settle?"
I drank the rest of the bottle in pain, "Will you tell me now?"
"I was just uninterested. Never really had any special feelings for girls. Why put that much effort into someone who's gonna leave you one day? But then again, we should try everything at least once, right?" he laid on his back and stared at the stars.
"My first kiss wasn't that great either. I was dared to peck your sister," I laid next to him.
"What? I don't know if I was supposed to know that."
"It is what it is. Sometimes I don't believe in eternal love. People change. Feelings change," I grabbed another bag of chips.
We spent the rest of the night talking about feelings, movies, books, and just about any topic under the sun. He played music with his phone as we chattered softly. We were sober by the time the sun started to rise.
We watch it for a while before making our way back to the hotel. Our bodies were sore from the exercise and minimal moving space in the car. I slept for most of the next day and he woke up just before dinner.
The group gathered for dinner at a restaurant in town and the girls wanted to do a secret Santa as most of the people in our group wouldn't be able to make it to the actual Christmas party at our house. So, we had a mission of getting each other presents.
I was Vernon's secret Santa. Our trip would be ending tomorrow, and we were planning to do the reveal in the house. Everyone spent the night busy searching for their gifts in the night market. Once in a while we would meet each other and awkwardly hide our plan.
The next day, everyone woke up at about noon and we started to pack our bags. We checked out from the hotel and had a late lunch in a small cottage. They had the best burgers and milkshake I'd ever had. The road home was smooth and relatively fast. The rest of the group was carrying a wrapped present to the house besides their bags. I was honestly nervous with my choice of present.
"Everyone, gather around! I've ordered Japanese for dinner. In the meantime, let's open our presents!" Lily sat on the sofa.
"I'll start!" Taylor picked her present from the pile. "A rose gold wristwatch! I love it! Who's my secret Santa?"
"It's me! I'm glad you like it," Lily opened hers. "A cookbook? Who was it?'
"I just think it'd be useful," Zack scratched his head.
"What does that suppose to mean?" she huffed.
"Um… how 'bout you open your present Zee?" Taylor intervened.
"20 sachets of matcha latte! Thanks, Eric," I unwrapped the newspaper.
"A car wax! Vernon, you're the man! I've been meaning to buy one for some time," Eric side hugged him
"No problem, I got you!" Vernon hugged him back.
"Where's Vernon's gift, Zee? Did you forget to get him something?" Lily asked.
"It's ok. I don't need any gifts," he calmed her down.
"No, it's just– " the doorbell interrupted.
As the group was busy managing the food and cutleries, I dragged Vernon upstairs and handed him a small wooden box and a card.
"What's this?" he questioned.
"Your Christmas gift," I nervously said.
He opened the box and read the letter, "I didn't know what suitable gift I could offer. So, I present to you this bracelet with a silver crab pendant. It symbolized the trust you've gained from me. It serves as a protection from bad luck.
"And it embodies the transformation that you will go through in your life. I would've given you your first kiss just to be funny, but that would've been too awkward to execute. Anyway, merry Christmas. Love, Zee."
"Sorry if it's too sappy. You don't have to wear it," I looked down in shame.
"I love it," he smiled down at me, pocketed the letter and the box, and wore the bracelet.
"You can put more charms on it. I made sure it would still look manly."
"I wouldn't mind the second part of the gift either," he smirked. "But too bad you're not the type to make the first move."
I quickly grabbed his cheek and planted a soft kiss on his lips. I gazed up to look at his unsuspecting face. He started to blush as he wasn't expecting the boldness that overcame me. To be completely honest.
All the bravery that I had gathered quickly left me after I did the deed. My knees were weak with anxiety. I didn't know what to expect. But suddenly he grabbed me into a tight and warm embrace. My ear against his heart. It pounded with all its might.
"Guys! Food's ready! Stop making out!" Lily called out.
He let the hug loosen and looked down at me, "I'll eat your salad if you take the carrot."
"Okay," I smiled and grabbed his hand.