Matt

The day before Christmas break, I found Kayla sitting in the library picking at her cuticles. I walked over, giving her a quick peck on the lips as I sat down. "Hey hun, I have a surprise for you."

Her eyes immediately lit up; a huge smile spreading across her face. "Do you now?" She leaned over to rummage through her book bag before gleefully pulling out and placing a little red box with a silver ribbon in front of me. "Well, it just so happens that I have one for you too." She gestured at the glimmering wrapping paper. "Go ahead. Open it."

I picked up the present and shook it against my ear. "I wonder what this could be," I said laughing. "I've been wishing for a new black mustang; fingers crossed."

Kayla squealed with delight as I pulled at the knot in the bow and the ribbon fell away with ease. Slowly lifting the lid off the box, I locked sights with her, making sure to take my sweet time. "Or perhaps, it's a guitar. I've been wanting to learn."

Kayla giggled. "Just open it, you loon."

"Oh, alright." I pulled away the green tissue paper to unveil a gleaming silver watch nestled inside. And not just any watch. Oh no, this was a very luxurious-looking timepiece blinged out with Swarovski Crystals.

I whistled. "Kayla, you didn't have to do this. This must have cost a fortune."

I held the accessory up inspecting it as the crystals caught the light. Fancy, however, soooo not me. I didn't wear expensive. I didn't wear name brands, nor did I strive to. I appreciated the thought, but it wasn't necessary to go to such an extreme length to please me. I would have been just as happy with an intriguing book or any book for that matter.

Kayla shrugged. "It's no biggie. You know my mom; always throwing cash my way to distract me from the fact that she doesn't give a crap about me."

I turned away from the sparkling piece to look at her. "Kayla, your mom loves you."

She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, her attention focused on my gift. "Here, let me help you put that on."

She undid the clasp and wrapped the white-gold band around my wrist before locking it back into place. "Oh my god, Matt," she breathed admiring the jewelry. "You look so hot in that."

I grimaced as I moved my hand around to study the watch. It felt heavy and its enormous size was anything but subtle. This was not the statement I was looking to make. In fact, I didn't want to make any kind of statement. I was more than content with just blending in which is why I only ever wore black. Colors tended to scream, "Look at me."

"Thanks, sweetheart. I love it," I lied quickly pulling the sleeve of my jacket down and covering the eyesore from existence. "Now it's your turn." I nodded at the green gift bag I had set on the table.

Kayla rubbed her hands together before diving into the blue tissue paper and ripping it out of the bag. "I hope it's that Tiffany's necklace I pointed out to you at the mall last week. Did you catch the hint that's what I wanted for Christmas?"

She unfurled the wrapping to reveal her present and I knew I had messed up the moment I saw the smile drop from her face. She turned over the CD I had chosen, absentmindedly looking at the back photo. "Thanks," she said tightly.

"It's Taylor Swift's new album," I replied weakly. How had I missed with that one? She worshipped that woman.

"I know," she answered, an edge to her voice. "I have it."

"Oh." Matt, you stupid idiot. Of course, she would own it. Why wouldn't she buy it the second it came out? Only second to the latest fashion trends, Taylor Swift news was all Kayla could obsess about.

She slid the CD over towards me. "You can take it back to the store. Besides, I only listen to vinyl. This form of music is so outdated."

Panicking, I tried to quickly think of how to get out of the mess I had just made. Suddenly, I remembered that Aimee had left a $10 gift card to the mall on my front step that morning. I didn't even want to know how she had tracked down my address.

"Wait, there's more," I improvised pulling out the piece of plastic from my jacket pocket. "Sorry, it's not wrapped."

Kayla accepted the present as though I had just handed her a steaming pile of dog poop. "A gift card," she stated flatly. "How thoughtful."

I gave her a peck on the cheek. "Now, don't go spending it all in one place."

"It's kind of hard not to when it's only ten bucks," she replied through gritted teeth.

Not knowing what else to do, I lightly punched her on the arm. "Thanks for the watch. You're the best."

If the glare she shot me in return was any indication, then it was likely I wouldn't have to endure another round of gift-giving for Valentine's Day as it appeared that she would be the one breaking up with me.