Author's POV

~Thursday, Winter Break~

Diggy came over Julie's house for the day to help her and her mother hang up Christmas decorations. So far, her mother cleaned the house while the two lovebirds put up the Christmas tree. They were in the living room hanging ornaments onto the scratchy branches of the fresh, spruce tree.

"So, this is a real tree?" Diggy asks.

"Yep, as real as it gets. My parents want nothing less than the real things in life," Julie replies.

"I see. I guess if you have the money for it, why get a fake tree when you can get a real one?"

"Exactly. Why get McDonald's when you can have La Grenouille?"

"Huh?" Diggy gives Julie a confused look.

"It's a fancy restaurant in the city," Julie explains.

"Explains why I've never heard of it. I'm more of a Ruby Tuesday, Applebee's guy. Gimme a burger with fries and I'm cool," Diggy laughs a little.

Julie laughs and takes the star topper ornament out of one of the boxes. She stands on her tip toes trying to reach the top of the tree, but has no success. Diggy offers to help her by picking her up by her waist; Julie successfully places the star on the top of the tree. Diggy carefully puts her back down and Julie gets a little dizzy and almost trips.

"You okay?" Diggy asks.

Regaining her balance, she replied, "Yeah, just a little light-headed."

Julie's mother, Mrs. Martinez, walks into the living room.

"Julie, honey, are you alright?"

"Yes, mom."

"Oh, wonderful job putting up the tree! It looks fabulous! Daniel, I'm so happy you can stay over for dinner tonight," her mother smiles at him.

"Thank you for having me, Mrs. Martinez," Diggy says.

"Please, call me mom."

"Mom!" Julie yells in embarrassment. She rubs her forehead.

"What? Oh... uh, why don't you two get ready for dinner. It should be ready in a few minutes. Maybe some food will help my daughter's headaches. She's been a vacuum cleaner this past week. I don't know where she puts it, but it might show sooner or later if she doesn't be careful." Her mother laughs a little but stops once she sees Julie give her the evil eye.

"It's okay, babe. I like girls who can eat," Diggy says to Julie.

"She has been extra busy with the cheerleaders, maybe that's why she's so hungry? Anyway, see you kids in the kitchen." Her mother leaves the room.

"Just ignore my embarrassing mother. You ready to eat?" Julie asks.

"Sure, but one question. I heard that you're planning on a basketball fundraiser this Saturday. Is that true?" Diggy asks.

"Yeah. I think it would be cool to do something entertaining to raise money for our school."

"It could get more publicity for Wesley High and the basketball teams, too. That's a good idea, Julie."

"Well, you know. I'm just filled with great ideas," she replies, smiling extra big and kissing Diggy's cheek.

After washing their hands, they walk into the kitchen and see the food that Julie's mother prepared. Mr. Martinez was pouring himself a glass of champagne by the sink. Julie cleared her throat obnoxiously, trying to get her parents' attention. Mr. and Mrs. Martinez stopped what they were doing and focused on their daughter while glancing every now and then at Diggy.

"Daddy, this is Daniel Simmons. He plays on the varsity basketball team at school," Julie says.

"So this is the Daniel everyone has been talking about. Nice to meet you, son," Mr. Martinez, a Hispanic man in his 40s, extends his hand out so Diggy can shake it.

"The pleasure is mine, sir," Diggy replies.

"You treating my daughter right?"

"Of course."

"Dad, Daniel is the sweetest gentleman in the world!" Julie rubs down Diggy's chest and smiles at him. Her parents smile at this sight.

"Aww, so sweet!" Mrs. Martinez squeals, "Okay, family, dinner is ready. Let's sit in the dining room and eat."

***

After dinner, Julie dragged Diggy up to her room and locked the door. She was sipping on a can of soda as she walked to her bed, sitting on the edge of it. She set her can of soda on the small table beside her bed. Diggy sat beside her on the bed with a smile on his face.

"Your mom's baked pasta was banging, baby!"

"Thanks. It's her special recipe," Julie replies, while rubbing her stomach.

"I've never seen you eat that much in one setting. You were smashing," Diggy laughs a little.

"I was really hungry..." Julie lets out a belch.

"Whoa. Excuse you." Diggy laughs again.

"Sorry," she giggles. "Thanks for coming over again. I really missed you."

"We talked to each other yesterday. And we hung out like two days ago."

"I know, but babe, I just don't wanna lose you. You're the best thing that's happened to me..." Julie lets out a sigh and rubs his leg.

"Why would you lose me?"

"I don't want you to think I'm controlling or annoying or anything. I'm so happy when I'm with you," Julie caresses his cheeks and looks him deep in the eyes.

"No, never that. I don't think you're annoying."

"Controlling?" She asks.

"No. You're perfect, baby," Diggy replies.

Diggy leans in and kisses her and she kisses him back. They begin a short make-out session, but it ends when Julie pushes him away.

"You okay?"

"I'm sorry. I can't do this. I just... don't wanna hurt you," Julie says, her voice quivering a bit.

"What's wrong? You can tell me," Diggy replies while rubbing her arm with concern.

"I'm the wrong girl for you. I'll only make things more complicated -- you should leave..."

Julie gets up and pulls Diggy's arm leading him to the door. She unlocks her door and tries to push him out of her room, but he's too strong and easily slips out of her grasp. Julie rubs her temples and squeezes her eyes shut. Confused, Diggy wraps his arms around his girlfriend, but she pushes him away once again.

"Julie, tell me what's going on? What's wrong?"

"If I tell you, I'm afraid you won't stay."

"Try me," Diggy replies.

Silence filled the room. Julie stopped rubbing her temples as a tear fell down her cheek. She looked at Diggy through blurry eyes; he looked at her. Then, two words spilled out of Julie's mouth. Diggy's eyes widened as his jaw fell to the floor. Both teens stood there helpless in Julie's room. Not even the sound of her mother's footsteps trotting up the stairs could make them move. The cat was out of the bag, and Diggy wasn't able to believe it.