The Ugly Stepsister (17 page)

Sitting in the near dark, Ellie sent a text message to Lauren as she waited for the laptop to turn on.
Go online immediately.
She smiled when Lauren sent a message back.
Better be good.
Ellie glanced at the bed where Tom was tangled in the sheets, fast asleep. Dim light shone through the window onto him. She was too happy to sleep. Turning back to the laptop, she signed into her messenger.

Ellie says: Hey
:D


Waiting for Santa says: Better be real good. I was having a brilliant dream.

Ellie says: Oh it’s way good.

Waiting for Santa says: Well….

Ellie says: Remember how we promised to let each other know, as soon as humanly possible, about our very first time with someone?

Waiting for Santa says: No!

Ellie says: Yes!

Waiting for Santa says: We are talking about the same subject.

Ellie says: I hope so
:D


Waiting for Santa says: You and Tom?

Ellie says: Yep
:D


Waiting for Santa says: Wow! What was it like? Tell me every little detail

Ellie says: No way! Would you tell me every little detail if it was you and Sam?

Waiting for Santa says: Maybe.

Ellie says: Really?

Waiting for Santa says: Okay. But at least tell me what it was like.

Ellie says: Does the fact I can’t stop grinning tell you?

Waiting for Santa says:
:D


Tom sat up in the bed. “Ellie?”

“One minute.”

“What are you doing on my laptop?”

“I’ll be there in a minute.”

“Hurry up. It’s lonely over here.”

“I thought you were asleep.”

“So you stole my shirt and went online? Are you chatting to Lauren?”

Ellie chuckled. “Maybe.”

“You’re not telling her are you?” Tom hopped out of bed, coming over to the desk.

Ellie covered the screen with her hands. “You’re naked!”

“So were you. Show me what you told her.”

Ellie reluctantly moved her hands away.

Waiting for Santa says: You still there? You’ve gone real quiet.

Waiting for Santa says: Hello?

Waiting for Santa says: If you don’t answer soon I’m going back to bed.

Ellie says: Sorry. Tom just woke up. He’s reading what I told you *rolls eyes* As if his ego isn’t bad enough already!

Waiting for Santa says: Hi Tom
:D


Ellie says: He said hi and Merry Christmas.

Waiting for Santa says: Hey, yeah, it’s after midnight.

Waiting for Santa says: Merry Christmas you pair.

Ellie says: I’ll let you get back to sleep. And see you for lunch tomorrow. You sure your parents are happy to join us over here.

Waiting for Santa says: Happy! Any happier and I think Mum’d explode. She’s been telling all her friends she’s having a Christmas dinner cooked by The Gregory. And the way she says it you’d swear it’s in capital letters.

Ellie says: lol. I’ll see you then. I’ll let you get back to sleep.

Waiting for Santa says: K. But first I’m going to send Sam a Merry Christmas text
:D


Ellie says: lol. I’m sure he’ll appreciate it
;)


Waiting for Santa says: Bibi.

Ellie says: Buh-bye.

Ellie turned off the laptop and rose to her feet. She was still grinning when Tom wrapped his arms around her. “Merry Christmas.”

Tom kissed her. “Merry Christmas. So, still grinning hey?”

Ellie shook her head. “I knew I should have exited the window before you read it. You’ll be insufferable now.”

“Come back to bed and we’ll see if I can keep you grinning.”

“Ego!”

Tom laughed. “Not at all. A statement of truth.”

Ellie walked back to the bed with him and paused beside it. Even with the light coming through the window, his face was mostly shadows, but she couldn’t miss seeing his smile. “I’m glad Lauren’s mum caught us sneaking back in that night so I had to find somewhere else to stay on weekends.”

“Why did you make yourself up to look like Frankenstein’s Bride?”

“Because the last guy I went home with thought I was agreeing to far more than somewhere to crash for the night.”

“You didn’t need the outfit. Sam and I know what the word no means.”

“I know that now, but I didn’t at the time.” She smiled. “But I must say, I think I’m going to miss Frankie.”

“Too bad. Frankie can’t have you back.”

“Why’s that?”

“Because I love you and would be devastated if you left.”

“Even with all the crap in my life?”

“I barely notice it.”

Ellie laughed. “Well, I suppose love is blind.”

“And what makes you say that?”

“Personal experience?”

“And what personal experience would that be?”

Ellie smiled and let the silence drag out for a moment. She knew this time she could say the words, but she wanted to draw the moment out. To savour it. “I love you too.”

Tom grinned just before his lips met hers. He eventually drew back, still smiling. “I know. But it’s nice to hear.”

Ellie forced herself to look serious. “Now what was all that bragging about you keeping me grinning? I don’t seem to be grinning anymore.”

“Hmm, it seems like you could be right. Guess I’d better fix that.”

Ellie squealed as Tom caused her to lose her balance and land on the bed. He landed beside her. She grinned as she stared at him. Who’d have thought spending a weekend looking like an ugly stepsister could change everything so much? Life was always so full of surprises. Tom’s lips met hers and thinking became an effort. This was the best Christmas ever. She couldn’t wait to see what the New Year would bring.

Avril is an Australian fiction writer who lives with her family on acreage in South East Queensland. She writes mostly young adult speculative fiction, but has been known to dabble in other genres. You can find more information about her at her website
www.avrilsabine.com
where you can also sign up for her newsletter to be kept informed about new releases, current projects, blog posts and exclusive news.

Young Adult Fantasy (with elements of romance)

Young Adult Fantasy (with elements of romance)

Young Adult Urban Fantasy/Horror (with elements of romance)

Young Adult Urban Fantasy/Horror (with elements of romance)

Young Adult Urban Fantasy (with elements of romance)

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Children’s Fantasy (Preteen/early teens)

Young Adult Contemporary (with elements of romance)

Young Adult Contemporary Paranormal (with elements of romance and same sex relationships)

Urban Fantasy Short Story

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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

Thanks to the usual crew. Are you getting tired of me thanking you yet? I hope not because I couldn’t manage without you.