Chapter Eleven

"You're joking."
It was half past three in the morning, and, returned from the party, Topaz, Sylva and Nancy were sprawled in Nancy's bedroom, discussing the night's events. "He really said that?"
"I swear, Nancy. He sounded envious as heck." Sylva nodded her head, her curls bobbing. "Like he wished he hadn't missed the boat or something. What's the story?"
"Oh, there isn't one." Nancy's expression took on a look of disdain. "He was the usual insensitive type in school, that's all. Called me freak when he came to the house to call for Aaron, tripped me up in the corridor when he thought noone was looking, that kinda guy. Aaron doesn't know about that stuff, by the way." She added hurriedly. "My brother had a habit of punching out any guy who caused me too much hassle and in the end I got stress for that too, so I dealt with my own problems and he didn't know the half of it."
"Cool, we won't tell him." Topaz assured her. "I told you that guy was jealous, though."
"Yeah, well, tough luck." Nancy shrugged. "I'm not his type."
"You're for sure Dean's type, though, after tonight's display." Topaz observed.
Nancy reddened.
"You saw?" She exclaimed. Topaz grinned.
"Half the room did." She replied.
"Saw? Saw what? What's this, what happened?" Sylva's blue eyes became bright with curiosity.
"Dean and Nancy kissed." Topaz responded. Sylva raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah? Like I'm gonna believe that. Nancy kiss anyone? Yeah right."
"It's true, Syl, I saw her, and so did Cynthia." Topaz replied, seeing that Nancy herself was beyond words. "And I don't mean a little peck on the cheek, either. We're talking full on kiss."
"Tongues?" Sylva looked incredulous.
"Stop it!" Nancy exclaimed. "Stop it, both of you! It's none of your business!"
"Aw, c'mon, Nance, lighten up!" Topaz wheedled. "It's nothing to be ashamed of. You hooked yourself a great guy, and you know it. You should be damn proud of yourself."
"Who says I'm not?" Nancy put her hands on her hips defiantly. "But it's not something for you guys to start your sordid li'l gossip over, okay? I...I don't want to ruin this. I like how I feel tonight, and I want it to last."
"Chill." Sylva instructed. "So you kissed him. Is it really a big deal if you tell us how far you went?"
"We kissed twice." Nancy said curtly. "And talked a lot and kissed some more, if you want to know. And then we danced and then we left. Okay? That's the scoop. Happy now?"
"I think it's romantic to get things together with him at Christmas time." Topaz admitted. "Did you happen to see any mistletoe about?"
"No, I avoided it all evening." Nancy admitted. "I wanted him to kiss me because he wanted to, not because of some worn out tradition."
"I like mistletoe." Sylva grinned. "I saw a lot of it tonight, believe me."
"You think Copper is coming back tonight?" Topaz glanced up at the clock. Nancy shrugged.
"Beats me." She admitted.
"She'd better turn up tomorrow, it's Christmas Day and we're gonna have a blast." Sylva said.
"Actually, Syl, it's already Christmas Day." A voice came from the doorway and the girls turned to greet their fourth. "Good party?"
"The best...we've a load to tell you." Sylva dimpled. "What about you, where have you been till this time?"
"Out with Aaron." Copper said briefly, though there was a hint of blush in her cheeks. "We settled things and we're cool. I really feel Christmassy about things now."
"I think we're all getting the Christmas spirit a little now." Topaz grinned. "And you're right, it is Christmas Day." She stood. "Merry Christmas, everyone...I'm going to bed. See you in a few hours, okay?"
"For sure." Sylva nodded.
"But don't sleep in too long." Copper added. "Because this is Jewel's first Christmas together and I don't want any of us to miss a thing!"