I Never Imagined ✔️

Chapter 17: Joyeaux Noёl! I Suck At French (Part 1)

After the trial, our lives went back to mediocrely normal. Sophia and I finished up the last week of school before winter break came. That week of school was a total migraine. It was a four day week, as we got Friday off for some odd reason. Sophia and I had a killer math test that we were studying hard for. Sophia was panicking and panicking about the math test and how much it would hurt her grade if she didn't do well.

Sophia and I are two steps away from becoming high school valedictorians. We had "A-"s in the class, so this would either make or break our grades. It was the last test of the semester, and we wanted to ace it. Our hopes were higher than a mountain on that day, but at the same time, I tried to keep my mind open to the possibility of failure. 

Sophia was sitting next to me, shaking. I had my hand on her back, patting it. My other hand was holding hers tightly in an effort to calm her down. Soon, Ms. Sanders was walking around, and then she turned to us and gave our tests. The first thing I saw was a big red "A" on top. When I saw that, it was like all the tension was sucked out of me. 

I did it. I didn't fail. I look over at Sophia, and she had a really happy look on her face. I looked at her paper, and there was a big fat red "A" on her paper. Well, it made me happy to see that we both didn't fail. 

"You did it, Sophia," I cheered. She smiled. 

"You did too. You shouldn't just be congratulating me. I should be congratulating you as well," she said. Right then and there, the bell rings, and Sophia and I walked out.

We were walking to our cars when Sophia brought up something. "Are you excited about Christmas, Ray?" she asked. The reminder of the holiday struck my mind. Christmas was on Sunday. 

I wasn't thinking much about Christmas lately. But, it doesn't mean that I dislike the holiday. It's one of my favorite holidays of the year, if not my absolute favorite. 

Last year, I spent Christmas at Sophia's house. It was one of the best Christmases ever. I'm not saying that Christmas at my house is bad. I love spending Christmas with my family. But Sophia's family treated me like I was part of their family.

"I wasn't actually thinking about Christmas much due to the amount of stress I have been dealing with. But now that you have brought it up, I am more than excited," I said. Sophia smiled. 

"That's awesome. I got you the best Christmas gift ever!" she said, which makes me melt a little bit. 

"Just you as my girlfriend is a good enough Christmas present for me," I said, and smiled. Blush started to bloom on Sophia's cheeks. 

"Aw. Thank you, Ray," she said, and I could see that she was melting completely inside. We finally reached our cars, and we said goodbye for now. 

"I'll see you later, Ray. And I promise that I will wish you Merry Christmas," she said, with pure promise  running through her voice. 

"I will too. Bye," I said, and drive home.

Once I got home, I grabbed the TV remote and turned on the TV to reruns of Family Feud. As I was watching the Richardson family and the Schaefer family about to play sudden death, my mother came home.

"Hey, honey. How was school?" she asked. 

As I was watching Kathy and Sarah play for sudden death, I said, "It was good." My mom nodded her head and put down her purse. 

"Ray, can I ask you something?" she asked, while crossing her arms. I turned my head and nodded. 

"How would you like to have Sophia over for Christmas?" she asked. Just the thought of that idea makes me slightly excited inside. When I heard that idea, I perked up instantly.