"Tracey wake up! Wake up, wake up, wake up!" I felt a weight jump up and down on my bed until it finally plopped itself on top of my body. I groaned as my eyes flew open.

"What?" I snapped in an irritated voice. I didn't mean to, but my sleep was disturbed and sometimes I can't help myself.

Brittany, ever the optimist, didn't let it faze her one bit. "Come on Tracey, get up! It's Christmas, there's presents to open!" she yelled excitedly.

I sighed and put on my best fake smile. Throwing the covers off of me and stepping out of my bed, I said "Well come on then, let's go see what Santa got us!"

She squealed in excitement and grabbed my hand, tugging me out of my room. I chuckled lightly and let her pull me to the living room. However, the whole way down I couldn't help but think that even though it's Christmas, I'm as far from merry as it can get. Ever since that day I gave myself up to him, Aiden had been distant. Every conversation I've had with him was strained, full of slow replies and one word answers. It's come to the point where I've given up talking to him.

What I don't understand is why he's acting like this. Have I done something wrong? I don't recall doing anything bad. This is so out of his character and it's killing me. If I knew having sex with him would turn us into strangers I would've never done it. Oh, how I wish I could rewind time...

Before I knew it, Brittany was tearing up wrapping paper like a savage animal and screeching every time she saw what was underneath. I stared at her in awe, wishing I could be so blissfully happy. I took a deep breath and inhaled the scent of pine cones as I looked around the room. The Christmas tree towered almost all the way to the ceiling and twinkled breathtakingly in multicolored lights. It was covered in mismatched ornaments, each one holding a precious memory.

I walked over to the tree and took one ornament gently in my hand. It was a homemade ornament that I made in my kindergarten class so many years ago. I decorated the circular ring in blue sparkles, and the inside contained a picture of a bright eyed, five year old Tracey with pigtails. My mom said it was her favorite ornament and she made sure it was on the tree every year. Usually I was embarrassed to see it, but right now I had a big grin on my face. Even Aiden in all his confusion couldn't fully take away the warm fuzzy feeling that the holiday season gave me.

I felt a hand on my shoulder, and I turned around to see my mom giving me a warm smile. There was a cup of hot cocoa in her other hand, and she held it out to me. I took it happily and held the cup up to my mouth, taking a sip. I felt warmth course through my body.

"Merry Christmas sweetie."

"Merry Christmas mom," I returned.

"Aren't you going to open your presents?" she questioned.

I shrugged. "In a bit."

My mom squinted her eyes as if she knew there was something more than what met the eye, but the doorbell rang before she could question me.

"I'll get it." She scurried off.

I sighed and sat down, continuing to sip on my drink. I watched as Brittany actively played with her new toys, completely oblivious to the mess she created around her. I heard faint voices coming from the front door, but I didn't pay it much mind. Then, the door closed and my mother was back with a present in her hand.

"Who's that from?" I asked, intrigued.

"It's for you," she said with a knowing smirk, throwing the small box at me.

I caught the box and stared at it blankly for a few moments. Bringing it to my ear, I shook it gently to try and figure out what was inside.

"What are you waiting for? Open it!" My mother encouraged.

So I did. I tore off the blue Frosty the Snowman wrapping paper and lifted the lid to the box. Inside, there were two charms. One was a crown (which I didn't understand), and the other was a heart with the words I Love You inscribed on it. Tears started to spring to my eyes, and I noticed that there was a small slip of paper at the bottom of the box. I picked it up and read it:

I'm sorry. It said simply.

That's it?  I thought to myself. I started to get angry. I hopped out of my seat and ran up the stairs as fast as I could. By the time I reached my room, I was seeing red. I snatched my phone off the bed and angrily started tapping at the screen. Placing the phone to my ear, I waited.

"Hello?" His smooth voice answered. I tried to ignore the way the butterflies in my stomach started going crazy. It's been so long since I heard his voice. Damn traitors.

"I'm sorry?! All this time, and all you have to say is that you're sorry?!" I growled into the phone.

"Listen, baby, calm down. Just... just let me explain myself...please?" I could hear the pleading sound in his voice, the desperation.

"NO! The time for explanations came and went a long time ago asshole. I gave you all of me, every last damn bit, and you give me the cold shoulder? What did I do to deserve that Aiden, what did I do?" I was crying now, I could taste my salty tears in my mouth.

"Baby I-"

"And what, you thought two stupid little charms would make everything okay? Fuck your charms Aiden!" I threw the box at the wall as hard as I could. "I trusted you Aiden, I fucking trusted you!"

I crumpled on my bed as my body shook violently from the sobs. All of the hurt, everything I've been feeling and holding in since that day was now pouring out of me in violent waves. I felt so betrayed, so used. I just... I just don't know what to do.

"Fuck, Tracey I'm sorry!" His voice was thick with emotion, and he sounded like he was on the verge of tears himself. "I know I fucked up, I.. I..." he paused. "Just please... let me explain..." his voice became so soft, I could barely hear it.

And there was something in his voice, something that made him sound so broken, as broken as I felt inside. Even though I was so hurt, the thought of Aiden being hurt just amplified my own pain. I caved.

"Go ahead. Explain," I said softly.

I heard a sniffle over the line. "Not over the phone. Can we meet up?"

"When?"

"Tomorrow? I don't want to ruin your Christmas anymore than I have already," he admitted sadly.

"Oh." I said simply.

"I'll tell you the details later. Bring the bracelet, and the charms." he paused again. "Merry Christmas Tracey."

"Merry Christmas Aiden." And the line went dead.

-

The covers were over my head, and I was laying down in fetal position. If I thought I was down before, it's definitely worse now. I had no desire to go downstairs and pretend that I'm happy.

"She hasn't come out of her room for hours. I don't know what's wrong," I heard my mom's muffled voice from the other side of the door. I pulled the covers tighter around my body. I don't like where this is going.

My door opened slowly, and I listened as footsteps came closer and closer. I felt my bed weigh down, and a hand was placed on my shoulder. I curled into myself even more, I'm surprised I was even able to.

"Talk to me little T."

I rolled my eyes. He hasn't called me that since we were kids. I turned to meet his eyes, filled to the brim with concern. I quickly looked away. He was making me want to pour out my soul to him.

"There's nothing to tell, big T." I threw my childhood nickname for him out there.

Trey took my chin in his hand and made me face him again, a sad smile on his face.

"Did he hurt you?"

I stayed silent, mostly because of the fear that if I opened my mouth I might start crying. Trey's expression slowly turned into one of anger.

"That little bastard, I'll-"

"Stop."

He sighed, defeated. "What did he do?"

Sitting up on my bed, I let out a sigh of my own. "It's more of what he didn't do."

He just stared at me, waiting for me to continue. I took a deep breath. In order to tell him what happened, I would have to tell him everything.

"I...we...we had sex," I barely choked out the sentence in a whisper.

"You what?" he growled.

"I, we were in the moment and it just happened."

"Of course it just happened, that opportunist piece of shit. I'm going to rip his-"

"Tremaine!" I cut him off again.

"I'm sorry, you know I get a little carried away." He grabbed me gently by my shoulders and looked me directly in my eyes. "Did he take advantage of you?"

"No!" I yelled, flustered. "I wanted it, I was more than happy to do it-"

"Please, spare me the details."

I glared at him before I continued. "Anyway, ever since then, he's been so cold and distant. I just, don't know what I did wrong." I felt the tears coming again.

"You didn't do anything wrong, don't let that idiot make you feel any less of yourself. You're an amazing girl Tracey, and if I ever find out that he used you, I will kill him with my bare hands. But honestly, I think there has to be a good reason for why he's acting the way he is. You should talk to him. From what I know about Aiden, he's a better guy than that."

I thought it over. "Thanks Trey, you're really insightful."

"Serves you right for dating a football player," he added.

I gasped before punching his arm, a big smile breaking out across my face. He laughed, and I wrapped him in a hug.

He pulled away, smiling. "Come on, let's have some Christmas fun."

_______________________

Hey! It's been a while, hasn't it?

Senior year is sooo stressful omg. Whoever said it's the most fun year LIED.

I should be writing college essays but this is more fun :)

So please, enjoy!

So, a lot of drama for Tracey on Christmas day, huh? What do you think? What do you think about the way Widen has been acting? Any theories?

Well, we'll see in the next chapter! Until then!

-Thea :)

*Song for this chapter is California King Bed by Rihanna. I think this song captures how Tracey was feeling in this chapter a little bit.