Page 62 of Deadmen's Queen
Rosa was still looking at Paige like she’d just discovered a new life form on another planet.
“Are you Jewish?” she asked.
Paige laughed. “No, not Jewish. My family just aren’t that into holidays.”
Rosa shook her head, her short brown curls flying around her face, unable to comprehend the idea of not celebrating Christmas. Paige was looking slightly worried as she sipped her tea, hiding her face behind the rim of the cup, so I threw a cushion at Rosa, it bounced off her head, narrowly missing the tree.
“Tristan!”
“Sorry Mum. Rosa, stop interviewing my girlfriend and make yourself useful. There should be two silver presents under there, with blue ribbons. The little one is for you, and the big one is for Paige.”
Rosa squealed and dived under the tree, coming up with the presents I’d bought and got my mum to wrap the week before. She jumped up and stepped over the piles of loose wrapping that covered the rug, before sitting back down at Paige’s feet.
Paige was staring at me, a strange look on her face, and her eyes seemed glassy, as though she was holding back tears. Had I said something to upset her? I frowned, opening my mouth to ask her, when Rosa passed Paige my gift, before tearing into her own.
Paige looked round for a place to put her tea. Max had shuffled himself forward gradually and now half his fluffy golden body was laying across Paige’s lap. My mother took pity on her, taking the tea out of her hands, but Paige waited for Rosa to finish unwrapping her present first.
“Tristan! It’s gorgeous! I absolutely love it!” My little sister jumped back up like a freaking jack-in-the-box and launched herself at me. I laughed, hugging her back, and gestured towards the charm bracelet I had bought her.
“That one’s for the holiday in Mauritius, that one’s for my first car that you scratched your name into…” I went through a few more, before finally finishing with the best one. “And that one, I’ll let you guess that one.” She looked down at the tiny silver fork hanging from the slender chain, frowning for a second, then turning to smack me on the arms as she realised the joke.
“You’re a dick, big brother, but I love you.”
“Love you too, Thorny,” I said, ruffling her hair in the way that she hated.
She grimaced, pulling away, then looked back at Paige who was watching us with a small smile on her face.
“What did he get you?” she asked. “Open it, Paige!”
“Ok.” Paige looked down at the present, and turned it to one side and then the other. My mother set the tea down on a side table, and leaned over, pointing to the taped flaps at each end.
“Try there, dear.”
My heart suddenly felt heavy as I realised Paige had never unwrapped a present before, and I felt tears prick at my eyes at the sudden surge of emotion inside me. I blinked them away quickly, smiling as Paige looked up, her expression a mixture of wonder and confusion.
“You bought me paints?”
I nodded, my heart starting to beat a little faster. “Are they ok? Are they the right ones? I went back to the art shop and the owner showed me the ones you liked. I had no idea what colours you’d want, so I just got them all, but if you’re missing any I’m sure we can order them…”
My Dad moved closer and laid his hand on my shoulder. “You’re rambling, son,” he said gently. “Give the girl a moment.”
Paige looked back down at the paints, blinking furiously. After a moment, she set the box on the seat next to her, and stood up, gently pushing Max aside.
“I’m sorry,” she said. “I need to…”
She didn’t finish the sentence, hurrying out of the room and closing the door behind her. I watched her go, completely at a loss as to what to do.
“What did you do now, Tris?” asked Rosa.
“He didn’t do anything, Rosa,” my father said, his hand rubbing over my shoulder reassuringly. “I think Paige might be a little overwhelmed.”
“I don’t think Paige has ever been given a gift before,” explained my mum quietly. Rosa’s mouth dropped open.
“Her parents aren’t very nice,” I said, still watching the door. “That’s why I brought her here. I didn't want her spending Christmas alone again.”
“That’s awful,” said Rosa. “And she seems so nice too. Was she the one you texted me about, Tris?” I nodded, then looked up at my dad.
“What do I do?” I asked.