Two Vibrant Hearts

“Zachhh, what do you want for Christmas?” I groaned as I laid my head on his lap. He gave me a weird look and I sighed. “And don’t you dare say guitar or guitar accessories because I will kill you if you say that.”
“Why do I need something for Christmas?” Zach chuckled, looking down at me.
“Because it’s the first Christmas with my new best friends.” I whined. “Now what do you want?”
“I don’t know.” Zach answered, smiling at me.
“I don’t know what to get you.” I moaned loudly. He laughed at me and raised his eyebrows.
“Well what did you get everyone else?” Zach questioned. I racked my brain and let out a breath.
"Uhm, Matt I got an Avenged CD signed by everyone but you,” I started. Zach gave me a weird look and I smiled. “I got everyone a gag gift and then a real gift.”
“Oh, that makes sense.” He grinned. I nodded and then continued,
“And I couldn’t think of something creative so I ordered a special-designed hat, bandana and glasses.” Zach rolled his eyes and I mimicked him. “I know, lame gift.”
“No, that’s nice. I got him a new mic for his basement.” Zach told me. I smiled and he ushered me to continue.
“Brian I got him lotion,” I stopped to chuckle at my gift, Zach chiming in with me. “And I also couldn’t think of something for him so I got him a new pair of shoes… and a hat.”
“A hat?” Zach asked. I nodded, pursing my lips as I tried to hold back a smile. Zach raised his eyebrows before shooting me a hostile look. “You didn’t.”
“Did what?” I said innocently, a grin cracking across my face. Zach threw his head back and groaned.
“Kid, please tell me you didn’t do what I think you did.” Zach cried. I looked up at him with a cheeky grin.
“What do you think I did?” I questioned. He sighed and rubbed his face.
“You got him a fedora, didn’t you?” Zach groaned. I burst into laughter, chewing on my lip to stifle the laughter. “Why?”
“Actually I got that for the gag gift. I put the lotion in the fedora and I also ordered socks that have ‘for those lonely nights’ stitched into the sides.” I giggled uncontrollably. Zach grinned at that and I sighed. “I got him a beanie though, too. I had ‘A Little Piece of Heaven’ stitched in it.”
“Why?” Zach asked curiously. I merely shrugged.
“Long story.” I dismissed. Last week after Brian and I sang together, we stopped back at the bar and I got a little carried away with the alcohol. That night was still a blur, but I remember grinding against random girls and trying to talk Brian into doing stuff with me. I completely and utterly blamed Emma for that, since just days earlier she mentioned the whole ‘guitarist feels’ and it never really left my mind. But when I woke up the next day, half-naked and sprawled across Brian’s bed, he assured me that nothing happened. Apparently, though, I was persistent. “But anyways. Johnny I got condoms.” Zach gave me an odd look and I returned it. “And I feel really awkward but I got him a bunch of shit from Spencer’s at Emma’s request.”
“That’s not going to be awkward to open in front of everyone.” Zach laughed nervously, rubbing the back of his neck. I nodded.
“Yeah. I specifically put a card in there saying that the presents inside were all at his girlfriend’s requests. But I added fifty bucks since it wasn’t a good present.” I sighed, shivering just thinking about the weird shit I bought because of Emma. “So Jimmy I got a bottle of vodka as the gag and for the real gift I bought a special belt that says ‘stallion duck’ all the way around it.”
“He’s going to love both of those presents.” Zach mused. I nodded and laughed.
“Emma I printed out the picture of the night of the concert and had everyone sign it and like 6 CDs she’s been hounding me for.”
“I didn’t know people still used CDs. Those are so 2005.” Zach snickered sarcastically. Of course, he couldn’t be talking, since one whole wall in his basement is covered with music CDs as well as movies. I shrugged.
“True. But CDs mean if iTunes crashes you still have music.” Zach nodded in agreement and I sighed again.
“So I already have your gag gift but I have no clue what to get you for a real gift.” I restated. Zach shrugged.
“I don’t really need anything, though.” Zach mumbled. I groaned loudly.
“If you don’t say anything I’m going to give you something mushy and girly.” I threatened. He chuckled and pinched my cheek.
“I don’t care if it’s mushy or something.” Zach told me. “I mean, as long as it’s not a dress or something then-”
“I got it!” I screamed loudly, shooting up from my laying down position. I stood up and looked at him with wide happy eyes.
“Please don’t get me a dress.” Zach cracked, a smile crossing his face. I shook my head before turning around and heading towards the door. “Was good seeing you too! See you in a few days.”
~
“You guys better freaking love me.” I said in a strained voice as I carried the whole load of presents into Jimmy’s house. I dropped the presents off next to the tree set up next to the flat screen, which was already surrounded by a bunch of presents. I made them look presentable before turning around and stopping. I was the second to last one here, with Matt still missing. Everyone was staring at me with blank eyes and I hesitated in my spot.
“Merry Christmas, you’re in a magazine.” Johnny announced with a monotone voice. I raised my eyebrow and he held up a magazine. I walked over slowly, feeling uncomfortable with everybody’s gaze on me. I took the magazine and sat down next to Brian, who was sitting stiffly. I looked down at the page and sighed.
“Gates’ new Girl.” I read aloud. I slumped down and stared at the title of the page. Well this should be good.
“Keep reading.” Emma ushered. I let out a deep breath and moved my eyes down the page. It was full of pictures of Brian and I on the stage, some of us standing close to each other and some of us acting as we sang.
“In Janey’s Saloon Saturday the people in the bar were treated with a pleasant surprise when Avenged Sevenfold’s guitarist Synyster Gates showed up on the scene. But he didn’t arrive alone; he had a girl next to him that bystanders say holds the name as ‘Kid’. They were first classified as just friends before they got on the stage and belted out Avenge’s own song A Little Piece of Heaven, acting out the music video as well. Afterwards they announced to the bar that they were dating and were seen later leaving the bar in a rush. So is Gates’ new girl a keeper, and is there a chance she can tie down the famous player for the rest of their lives?” It was silent in the room. I couldn’t take my eyes off the page as I read through the article again. I almost said something before my eye caught a small caption under a picture of my head on Brian’s shoulder. “Overheard! Gates: Thanks, Kid. You saved me. Kid: No problem, Bri. You saved me too.”
“So when were you guys going to tell us?” Zach asked, a hint of sarcasm in his voice. I groaned and laid my head against the back of the couch.
“Well, this is going to suck.” I groaned. Brian sighed and grabbed my hand.
“I know.” He agreed. I put my head back up so see everyone staring at me.
“Why is this going to suck?” Johnny questioned. I let out a deep breath and looked away from everyone.
“I mean, Jess, all of us want you and Matt to be together,” Emma began, her voice soft. I looked at her and she gave me a sad look. “But it’s been almost three months since he began dating Gayle. I know you said he broke, but so far Matt has done nothing to show that he and Gayle will split anytime soon. I think… I think sooner or later you’re going to be wishing for something that won’t happen.”
“I…” I chewed on my lip. “You’re right. I know you’re all thinking it and… and you’re all right. I know that he hasn’t done anything but… I do still have hope. And I’m going to keep having hope until it’s almost certain that Matt won’t leave Gayle for me. Trust me guys, I’m getting tired too. But I’m giving him the benefit of the doubt.” It was silent for a minute as what I said sunk in. Even though I was with Matt technically, I was being 100% truthful about giving up hope soon. Matt had treated me with nothing but love for the last few weeks but he hasn’t even tried to get rid of Gayle since we’ve gotten back together. It was no longer about Brian still being ‘with’ me and I knew that for sure. I knew that sooner or later, if he didn’t break up with her soon, I’d have to give up on us and perhaps find someone else to be with. It’d be hard but I was getting tired of waiting.
“I’m sorry for bringing that up.” Emma mumbled quietly. I smiled sadly at her and tilted my head.
“It’s fine. You’re just looking out for me and I get it.” I told her. She smiled a little and I sighed. I threw my head back and punched Brian lightly. “Well this’ll suck. So if I don’t date Matt but I find someone else I’ll look like a slut. Or I’m just stuck with Brian for the rest of my life. Damn it, Brian.”
“Hey, I’m not the one that had us sing.” Brian defended. I punched his leg harder.
“You wanted to sing,” I argued. Everyone laughed and I grumbled. “I think I’d kill myself before being with you forever.”
“That’s offensive.” Brian gasped. I sent him a look and he rolled his eyes. He shoved me and I grinned at him. “Love you too, bitch.”
“Love you baby.” I said sarcastically. We laughed and continued pushing each other for a little bit before looking to the others. They were watching us with smirks. “What?”
“Nothing.” Zach said with a flick of his eyebrows. I glared at them long enough to make them burst into laughter right as Matt walked in with a shit ton of gifts.
“What’d I miss?” Matt asked. All of us just looked at each other before, in sync, singing,
“Nothing.”
~
All in all it was a great night. We had drunk festive drinks and ate a bunch of cookies and harmonized in songs from A Nightmare Before Christmas. After a while we handed out presents, myself choosing to hand them out last. I had ended up getting 5 beanies from Johnny, a Zelda shirt and Zelda boxers from Emma, Doc Martens from Zach, a ‘starter kit’ alcohol pack from Jimmy, and some skimpy red panties given generously to me by Brian. Of course he was joking and everyone laughed, but I felt extremely awkward pulling them out in front of everyone. Now I knew how Johnny would feel. Everyone else got pretty much the same thing, either alcohol or clothes or shoes or CDs or accessories. Matt didn’t give me anything, but he texted me that he’d be giving it to me later tonight. I could tell that everyone thought he was an asshole, but he wasn’t fazed. He looked super happy.
“My turn to hand out gifts!” I screamed excitedly. They all clapped and I stood up, running over to the tree to get the remaining boxes and bags. I handed out the two presents to everyone and they all gave me a weird look.
“Way to make us look like cheapskates, Kid.” Zach laughed. I rolled my eyes and grinned.
“One of them is not a real present. I did gag gifts.” I announced. They all ‘oh’ed before shaking around their things. I sat down and looked around. “Who wants to go first?”
“I guess I will.” Matt offered. I nodded and he looked at me. “Which one first?”
“Oh. The small one.” I pointed. He ripped it open and his face fell as he tried not to smile. He put his hand over his face and was silent for a minute as everyone waited in anticipation.
“I… honestly don’t know what to say.” Matt stuttered, a laugh slipping through his fingers. Jimmy ripped the CD from his hand and looked at it for a second before bursting into laughter.
“Oh my sweet Lord you little shit!” Jimmy bellowed. He handed it around and everyone laughed as they realized it was their self-titled CD, signed by all of them. I had them sign it early in November so they wouldn’t notice what it was for since I had been planning this idea for months. They handed it back to Matt and he just stared at me, a smile not leaving his face.
“Thanks, Kid. It’s not every day I get my own CD with my friends’ signatures on it,” he chuckled. I ushered for him to open the other gift and he nodded. He pulled out the tissue paper from the bag and began grinning again. “Just what I needed. I’ve been meaning to get new shades.” He pulled out the aviators and stuck them on his face before pulling out the bandana and hat. I made the bandana look all badass and the hat had a deathbat on the back. Everyone clapped at Matt smiled to me. “Thanks, Kid. This is sweet.”
“No problem. Jimmy, your turn.” I announced. Jimmy happily complied and opened up the box first, just knowing which one the gag gift was. He pulled out the bottle of vodka and barked out a laugh before cracking it open. “The ladies know just what I like.” Everyone laughed again before he opened up the other gift. His eyes went wide and he just stared at the belt for a little bit, utterly shocked at what he was holding.
“What is it?” Johnny questioned, straightening his back to try to see over the piles of wrapping paper. Jimmy just slowly lifted it up before taking a deep breath.
“Fucking. Stallion duck.” He screamed. They all took in the belt before chiming together in chuckles. Jimmy was jumping up and down in his seat and crashed through everything to give me a hug. “Oh my God I love you so much. Marry me now.”
“I will take that.” I snickered. He kissed my cheek happily before crawling back, ogling over his new-found love.
“Well now I’m excited to see what mine is.” Johnny mused. Emma cracked up and I just coughed. He looked at me and I gave him a weird look.
“I wouldn’t open the real present in front of everyone.” I mumbled. He gave me a confused look and I scratched the back of my head, feeling embarrassed as everyone turned their gaze to me. “Let’s just say your gift was a, erm, special request from your girlfriend.”
“… Oh.” Johnny stated. His face turned red and everyone smirked. Emma was nearly crying and I pouted a little.
“I’m sorry, Johnny-boy. I didn’t know what to get you.” I apologized. He looked at me and I sent a hopeful smile. “I promise I’ll take you out sometime soon and I’ll buy you whatever you want.”
“Thanks, Kid.” Johnny accepted. He held up the box and looked at me. “Should I not open these either then?” I shook my head and he rattled the box, realization coming over his face as the familiar sound of condoms shaking in the box echoed through the room.
“Geez, Emma. Keep your sex life to yourself.” Matt snickered. She scoffed and punched me lightly.
“Please. Besties tell each other everything.” Emma scoffed. She looked at me and smirked. “Like I know that Jessi accidently saw Brian naked and she said that he was-”
“Emma!” I snapped, cutting her off. My face burned hot as I slapped her arm, unable to look Brian in the eyes. Brian curled into himself and burst out laughing, tears running down his face at the memory. Everyone else had a grin on their face, even Matt. I looked at Emma, still burning with embarrassment. “We don’t speak about the secret things besties tell each other. Unless we’re giving someone a present asked by said bestie. Especially when it’s the bestie’s boyfriend that’s getting the present. Then it’s okay. But otherwise no.”
“Geez, we suck at being besties.” Zach sighed, leaning against the couch. Matt shook his head and let out a deep breath.
“I’m sorry guys; I don’t think we pass the besties test.” Matt whimpered. They all frowned before smirking at us. I rolled my eyes.
“Okay, enough of that. Brian, open it up.” I told him. He shot me a look before holding up the smaller box. I nodded and he ripped off the paper, looking excited. He shook the box a little before taking off the tape, his face bright. He looked in the box and his eyes narrowed, a wild grin crossing his face. He picked up the lotion and socks, his eyes going to me before reading the socks. “For those lonely nights. Wow, thanks Kid. I get the hint.” I snickered before he looked back in the box, his eyes widening. A large smirk crossed his face. He sighed and shook his head. “Man, if my hair wasn’t spiked I would put this on right now.” Everyone raised their eyebrows and Brian let out a breath. He stuck his hand in the box and, with a sinister chuckle; he pulled out the pinstripe fedora I bought for him. “The fedora is back!”
“It even matches your guitar,” Emma chuckled. I shot a smirk to her and took out my phone, quickly sending her a picture I knew she would never forget. I took my attention away from Emma for a second to watch Brian open his bigger gift. He pulled open the Doc Marten’s box and smiled widely as he held them up. The beanie fell from on top of the shoes and he held it up to read it. Brian let out a small laugh and sighed.
“Indeed it was a little piece of heaven, Kid. Thank you.” Brian said, his smile not fading. Matt glanced over at the hat before confusion crossed his face.
“Okay, you guys have been mentioning ‘A Little Piece of Heaven’ all night. Did I miss something?” Matt wondered. All of us shared a glance before Jimmy threw him the magazine. I watched closely as Matt’s eyes skimmed through the paragraph, his face losing a little color. His mouth twitched and he let out a breath. Matt’s eyes shot to me and then Brian before he sat up straighter. “Congrats you two. When’s the wedding?” Everyone chuckled and I let out a breath of relief, glad that Matt didn’t seem super upset by the article. Emma’s phone buzzed and she glanced at it for a second before shooting into giggles. Johnny looked at her phone and his eyes flickered to me, his eyebrows rising.
“The first picture I ever saw of you guys.” I announced to him. Jimmy, Brian, Zach and Matt all turned their attention to me and I showed them the picture. All of them smirked and Emma laughed louder.
“I remember specifically that you thought Brian looked scary.” Emma cackled. I nodded and grinned widely. Brian looked offended and I shrugged. I wasn’t going to lie and say I didn’t think his facial features didn’t intimidate me.
“Zacky was the hottest.” I admitted. Zach blushed and grinned, his eyebrows rising. I smiled widely at him before giving him a look. “Speaking of Zach, you’re the last one to open your present. Have at it.” Zach looked down at his gifts and picked up the thin one, shaking it around before ripping it open. He looked confused at the white thick piece of paper in his hands and glanced at me before unfolding it. I held my breath as he undid the final fold and immediately shut it. He looked at me, his face going red.
“Really?” He sighed. I stifled a laugh and he opened the paper again. His eyes scanned it and he let out a breath. “His hair is so long. And my face is so fat. Did you have to make it from like 3 years ago?” As he spoke, he turned the poster around to reveal a poster of him and Brian leaning against each other, which was also signed earlier in the year by everyone. They all took the liberty to say how hot they were and other snide comments about how chubby Zach looked or how they were at 60 degree angles as they leaned against each other and all that jazz. Everyone snickered and I smiled. Zach rolled his eyes and gave me a deep look. “You know I have like seven of these already?”
“Do I want to know why?” I questioned, wiggling my eyebrows. He glared at me but completely shut up, not giving me a valid reason. I shared a smirk with everyone around me, who all had sly looks on their face as we watched Zach opened the other present. He tore off the paper and looked at the small brown box before cautiously opening it. Zach’s eyes looked in the box for a minute before a small smile hit his lips and he looked up at me. He pulled out two bracelets and rubbed his thumb over them. He handed them to Jimmy, who beamed at it. They passed it around and when it got to me I looked at my creation. I had bought leather bracelets with a metal plate that had engraved “Z. Vengeance” and “J. Vengeance”. I handed them to Johnny and Emma, who gave it back to Zach after they smiled at it. He mouthed ‘thank you’ before throwing my bracelet to me and sliding his bracelet on. I mimicked him before looking at everyone. “This has been the best Christmas-slash-New Years ever. Thank you guys.”
“I can say the exact same thing.” Jimmy smiled. He yawned before standing up, kicking around the pile of paper. “Well, how about we watch a bunch of movies for the rest of the night?” Everyone cheered before shuffling to their spots in front of the TV. I sat on the couch with Matt, Brian and Jimmy. I laid my head against Jimmy’s shoulder and shoved my feet under Matt’s butt to keep them warm. We started with The Grinch Who Stole Christmas, in which most of us, including me, didn’t make it all the way through before falling asleep.
*
I was woken up by a small shake of my shoulder. I let out a small huff, trying to quietly tell the person bugging me to leave me alone. My shoulder shook again and I forced my eyes open. Although I was shocked internally by how close Matt’s face was to mine, I was too tired to react. He smiled a little and I blinked at him. A silent chuckle left his lips and I sighed. Matt scooped me up into his arms and carried me upstairs as I laid limply in his arms. He brought me into the first empty room and left the door open. The light from the Christmas tree was leaking into the room, dimly lighting up Matt’s happy face.
“I’m sorry for waking you.” Matt whispered. I blinked at him, completely incoherent from the fatigue looming over me. He smiled a little and rubbed my face, which made me lean into his hand. “I just thought I should give you your gift now.” I nodded, a smile tugging at my lips. Matt kissed me gently before pulling out an envelope. He put it in my hands and I lethargically opened it. I pulled out two pieces of paper, which seemed completely insignificant to me. I held them up closer to my eyes and read through before my mouth dropped. I looked at Matt with pure shock, my heart beating heavily. He smiled softly. “Do you like it?” I nodded quickly and his eyes softened. “I’m glad. I just thought that maybe it’s time to show you I’m serious about being with you.” I gave him a confused look and he sighed. “Jimmy called me earlier. I must have been on mute. I heard you guys go through the article, and what you said about getting tired of waiting for me.”
“Oh,”quietly escaped my lips. I was covered with a layer of guilt, upset that he heard that. Although that was the truth, I didn’t want Matt thinking I’d give up on us easily. Matt rubbed my arm and smiled sadly.
“Don’t be sad. You’re right; all of you. I haven’t done anything and that gives you every right to lose hope in me.” I began to open my mouth but he shushed me. “So that’s why I bought these tickets to New York. It’s my way of saying Gayle will be gone by your birthday, and then we can celebrate together without having to sneak around.” A smile crossed my lips and Matt kissed me gently. His hand went into my hair and the other went to my back. He pulled away and stared at me with sincere eyes. “Kid, I don’t care that they’re downstairs. I want to be with you. It’s a new year. Will you be with me?” I nodded and he kissed me gently before picking me up and setting me down gently onto the bed, taking off his shirt before pulling the covers over us.

Notes

I feel like there's a tremendous amount of flipping from team Brian to team Matt on my side. Sorry not sorry, I'm just trying to keep you guys on your toes so you have no idea what'll happen within the next few chapters and the next book. xD ~Jessi