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I woke up the next morning in bed with Nick’s arms around me. “Morning,” he sighed noticing my movement.
“Merry Christmas.”
“Yeah…right.”
“Wake up sweety!” I crooned patting his face. His hand caught mine, stopping its movement. “What did I do?”
“Nothing, just not awake yet.”
I starred at his face. He looked so cute in the morning. His hair all messed up, eyes scrunched up from the bright light and his lips pouted from not being asleep.
To not bug him anymore, I looked down at the new ring on my finger. I never had the chance to really see it last night. It was a perfect silver, Nick knew I hated gold. A sliver band with a pink diamond in the shape of a hear in the middle of two tiny crystal white.
“Look on the inside.” Nick suggested. I slightly jumped, startled by his sudden talkativeness. I slipped the ring off my finger and glanced in the inside. Engraved around it was Nick and Anne forever.
“Ya like it?” “I love it Nick! It’s absolutely gorgeous. You know my taste too well.” I smiled.
Within an hour we were done with presents and sitting around the Carter table once again. It was a sight watching everyone scramble around the living room, tearing off the wrapping paper as if their life depended on it. Nick was almost as bad as the kids, which sort of surprised me.
I got many presents, more then I expected. Mr. And Mrs. Carter gave me two sweaters and a pair of blue jean. Leslie gave me a candle set, she I liked them. BJ gave me, well a necklace. It was very pretty. I was just surprised that she gave me anything at all! Angel gave me a CD, it was a new girl group called Dream.
Nick absolutely spoiled me. I almost got mad at how much he gave me. Two large boxes full of clothes from my favorite stores, a few CD’s and some odds and inns that e thought I would like as well. As usual he was right.
But now, I was replaying the scene in my head as I chewed my pancake. I wondered when Nick was going to tell his parents about us. Maybe they already knew. Nick interrupted my thoughts as he called for everyone’s attention.
“Okay, I have one last surprise for everyone.” He smiled broadly. He looked so happy to tell the, Quickly he glanced at me then back to everyone else.
“Well, what is it Nick?” Mrs. Carter quietly urged him to finish.
“Last night me and Anne…..got engaged!” he stated.
A look of utter horror sprang on BJ’s face. Pure hatred shined brightly in her eyes, directed straight at me. Without warning she shoved her chair back and raced towards her room.
“What’s with B?” Leslie asked confused by the sudden actions.
“She doesn’t like Anne.” Aaron informed sadly. “I don’t know, what is there not to like?”
I smiled at his remark. At times he truly reminded me of Nick.
“Congratulations you two! I can’t believe it! That is awesome. Do you have any idea when the wedding will be?” Mrs. Carter exclaimed once the news sunk in.
“Not till after I graduate high school. After that I’m moving in with Nick in Tampa, also selling the house I’m in now!” I told her. Nick and I had talked about this all last night. We couldn’t wait to start planning.
“Why?” Mr. Carter wondered.
“My parents moved with work. So I stay home alone. I didn’t want to change schools my senior year. Nick doesn’t like me staying alone.”
“I don’t!” Nick agreed.
“He shouldn’t. It’s not safe for you.”
“But at least you have a senior year! I never had a freshman year!” Nick whined.
“Too bad! I don’t have a singing contract and you don’t see me complaining now do you?” I teased. At times it was really fun to give him a hard time.
“Mom! Anne’s picking on me!” Nick whined even more. Mrs. Carter just shook her head laughing.
“Will you ever grow up Carter?” I asked.
“Maybe!” His eyes were bright with excitement. “Mom, we’ll be back.” He grabbed my hand and yanked me into the living room.
“What is it?”
“I just couldn’t sit still any longer! I wanna do something today. What about you?” Nick smiled.
“I dunno. Whatever you wanna do.” I replied.
“What do you think if we headed back to Orlando on the 30th. AJ is having a big New Year’s party and he really wants us there.”
“I have no objections. What will your mom say?”
“She shouldn’t care. She normally doesn’t.” Nick sighed collapsing down on the couch. I stayed standing until he decided to pull me down with him.
“Thanks, Nick. A little warning would have been helpful.”
“Sorry.” I just smiled and curled up against him.
The rest of the day was lazy yet extremely fun. I’ve never had a Christmas like it!! Before I knew it, me and Nick were in bed asleep. I almost felt like this was my family, with everyone except BJ making me feel welcome.
“Anne! Where are you?” Nick called as he walked into his bedroom.
“In the bathroom,” I replied through the closed door.
“Can I come in?”
“Yeah, I’m decent.” I continued on my frantic search. “Okay….I put it here with the rest of my jewelry, took my shower, and now it’s gone! Where could it be? No! Oh my gosh! This is not good!”
“Are you alright?” Nick questioned confused by my worried face.
“No, I’m missing something! It was right here a minute ago, but now it’s gone!” I cried grabbing his hands.
“What are you missing?” He comforted rubbing my hands. I was almost ready to cry I was so upset.
“My engagement ring! It was right there, Nick! Right there!!” I said pointed to the bathroom counter.
“It’s here somewhere” Nick tried to reason with me.
“Someone took it. BJ, no one else would! She doesn’t like me, so should would to it to be mean.” I vented trying to pull away from Nick.
“Anne, be reasonable. She wouldn’t be that mean!”
“Let me go find out.” I pleaded.
“Okay, first put a shirt on. I don’t think you wanna go out there like that!” Nick pointed out handing me a t-shirt off is bed. I glanced down and noticed that I was only wearing pants and a bra.
“Thanks,” I grumbled pulling the t-shirt over my heard. Quickly I walked down the hall to BJ’s room and busted though the door. She looked startled and confused.
“What do you want?” She sneered once she gained her composure.
“Give me my ring back!” I demanded holding out my hand.
“What ring? Why would I take you ring anyways?”
“Because you’re the only one that would and it’s gone! You’re the only one that has a problem with me! What do you have against me?”
“The fact that you were born and walked in to my brother’s life! He never stops talking about you! Mom and Dad think you’re he best thing in the world. In fact, my whole family does, especially Nick!”
My eyes start to build up with my tears and soon a few were running down my cheeks. She felt like I had taken her place in HER family. She thought didn’t have time for her anymore, but he did!
“Could you please give me my ring?” I begged trying not to give up and leave. No reply. Soon I heard Nick come in the room.
“BJ give her the ring!” he ordered standing beside me.
“All she has to do is cry and you’re by her side. It makes me sick!” She moaned rolling her eyes.
“Just give her the ring! Anne has only tried to be your friend. You shouldn’t try to give her a hard time!”
“How do you know I took it?” She smiled giving him a hard time. Before I realized it, nick yanked BJ up and held her tight by the arms.
“Giver her the ring, BJ. It’s not where she left it and no one else would take it!”
I could tell she was weakening under her brother’s tight grip, stare and anger. Hardly ever did Nick get this mad. Slowly she pulled away and walked towards he dress. I watched he look through a box and pull out my ring.
“Take it! I never ever want to talk to you again!” She shouted throwing it at me. Nick reached out and caught it before it registered in my mind what BJ had done. Quickly he led me out of BJ’s room and into his. I fell against him as he circled his arms around me