All I Want for Christmas Is You
Chapter Four: I Bet
Emily sat Indian style on the floor in front of Veronica listening to the conversation going around her. She then turned around to Veronica, she tugged on her pant leg. “Is Amanda going to have lunch with us?” she asked curiously.
Veronica lowered her voice to a whisper. “I don’t know.”
She frowned. “Is she mad at me?”
“Why would she be mad at you?”
“Because I told that man over there,” she pointed at JC, getting his attention “that he was her type.”
Veronica looked at JC, and he smiled at her. She smiled back and looked at Emily. “His name is JC, and Amanda is not mad at you.”
Mrs. Cynthia stood up. “I’ll be right back. Let me go check on lunch. It should be almost ready.” She left the room.
JC watched Mrs. Cynthia leave and then he turned back to Veronica. “Are Amanda and Emily close?”
She looked up from Emily and smiled at JC. She nodded. “Very. She attached herself to Amanda when she came to the orphanage a year ago. Where ever Amanda goes Emily goes.” Both JC and Justin smiled, and then Justin stood up and glanced around.
“Where the bathroom?”
“You might one to use the one upstairs,” said Veronica. “The ones downstairs are AWAYS occupied during the day. That is if I always want to use it.” He laughed. “Seriously.” She smiled. “The bathroom is upstairs and to the right, third door.”
Justin nodded and left the living room, heading upstairs. He reached the bathroom, and just as he was about to open the door, a sudden blast of loud music came from the room behind him and then it switched off. It then happened again and again, and then finally it stayed on.
“AMANDA!” Mrs. Cynthia shouted from downstairs. “TURN DOWN THAT MUSIC!”
I threw open my door and I was startled to see Justin standing in the hallway. “What are you…?”
“Bathroom,” he said, and walked passed me and into my bedroom. He walked over to my stereo and tried to lower the volume, but it wouldn’t work. He finally had to pull the plug from the wall.
I smiled shyly at Justin. “Thanks.”
“No problem.” He gestured to the stereo. “You need a new stereo. That one has had it.”
I nodded, looking at my stereo. It was old and beat up. “I need a lot of things.” I walked over to my bed and sat down.
Justin made a face to himself, catching what he said. “I’m sorry I didn’t mean-”
“It’s okay.”
“So you’re Amanda, right?” I looked up at Justin and nodded. “I’m Justin.”
“I know who you are.” Justin flashed me a smile and looked around the room. It fairly small room, but it was cozy. I tucked my hair behind my ears shyly. “Do you need something?” I asked, unsure.
He turned back to me. “Huh? Oh, no.” He smiled at me and I smiled back. “You have a very pretty smile you should show it off. Come downstairs and have lunch with us.”
“I’m not very hungry.”
“Now I find that very hard to believe. Cynthia told me you slept right through breakfast this morning.”
I chuckled softly. “It happens sometimes.”
“So you are hungry?” I shrugged. Justin smiled. “I knew it! Come downstairs.”
“No that’s okay. I’ll eat later.”
“I’m pretty hungry. I just might eat all the food.”
“I’ll make a sandwich.”
Justin stared at me and I stared back. “You’re not working with me here.” I laughed out loud. “You remind of my little brother.” He walked up to me and pulled me off my bed. “Come on let’s go.”
“What are you doing?” I asked Justin as I let him lead me to the door.
“Downstairs. We’re going to go have lunch. ALL OF US.” He glanced over his right shoulder at me and smiled. “Don’t make me carry you.” I gave him a look and followed him downstairs.