In Your Arms // Mike Vitar

chapter twenty

maggie urban.

Johnny, Kai and I comfortably sat on my bedroom floor, a cup of hot chocolate sitting on all of our laps.

Since Christmas was coming up fast, I needed help decorating the house for the party. Mom was working, so it was just me at home.

I couldn't really do much because of my arm, so I decided to text Kai and Johnny for help. They were quick to come too.

We had put decorations up all throughout the house, and the two were even nice enough to set the huge Christmas tree up for me. We all decorated it together.

It was around 8 o'clock at night. We were all tired and exhausted, so we just sat on the floor, talking and watching whatever was on my TV.

       "So, you like Mike?" Kai asked out of the blue. My eyes widened at his sudden comment.

      I kept my eyes glued to the TV as my cheeks turned red. I nervously chewed on my fingernail.

     "I mean, he's my friend so yeah," I tried to lie. I heard Kai and Johnny sigh.

       "We know you have the crushies," Johnny said, "you've liked The Sandlot since it came out and talked about how much you liked him."

     I closed my eyes. Crap.

      "Okay, so what if I do? It doesn't matter anyway. He'd never like me and he's way out of my league. He's famous, I'm not. He can date someone like Madonna. I'm not even close to that," I spilled.

       "Maggie, come on," Johnny told me. He moved closer to me on the floor, setting his mug down and putting his arm around me. He knew how worked up I got when it came to me talking about things like this, "stop saying all of this shit about yourself. You need to find a way to love yourself. And maybe he does like you. You never know."

       "-you're friends with him for goodness sakes. He's not friends with those popular snobs, he's friends with you. You two are super close. He was worried to death about you when you were in the hospital. He stayed there with you basically the whole entire time. He held your hand the whole time when you got shot," Kai spoke up. I furrowed my eyebrows and looked at him.

     "How do you know about that?" I asked. I hope the whole school didn't know.

      "You're my step cousin. You're practically my sister because we're so close. You think your mom wouldn't tell me?"

I sighed. I really needed to listen to these boys. I felt bad because I never did.

"I'm sorry guys," I apologized, "you two are always here for me and always giving me the best advice but I never listen to you. I'm sorry."

"Dude, don't be. We don't listen to half of the advice you give us either," Johnny responded. I let out a small laugh. They were right.

"Yeah like that time you got in that empty cart at Walmart, and I told you Kai not to push you down that hill, but he did anyways and you ended up with a broken leg," I reminded them.

We had many good and crazy memories. I was beyond thankful for these block heads.

      The next morning, I woke up bright and early. After scrolling through TikTok for a few minutes, I decided it was time to get ready for school before I got deep into TikTok and decided I wasn't going to go today.

I was so excited for Christmas break. I couldn't wait for the last day of school. I've been imagining myself laying on the surprisingly comfortable gym floor with my friends, getting our pictures taken, eating popcorn, and watching a Christmas movie. Something I always looked forward too.

After I got a shower, I changed into a pair of gray sweatpants and a black hoodie. You never realized how much you used both of your arms until you can only use one. It sucks.

     I attempted to blow dry my hair, which didn't work out very well, so I just gave up. It was mostly dry though.

    I slide on a pair of vans, slung my book bag of my good shoulder and started my cold and long walk to school.

     When I got there I was greeted by Mike. He must've been there early. Plus I was sort of late too.

     "Good morning!" He energetically greeted with a large smile on his face. Seeing him smile made me smile. He took my book bag from me and i thanked him.

    "Good morning there, Mike. You're in a good mood today," I responded. I put my combination in, continuing our conversation.

     "Of course. I get to see you. You always put me in a better mood," he said. I felt my cheeks heat up. I looked up at Mike.

    "Really?" I asked. Mike nodded.

    "Of course," he replied, "also, Christmas is coming soon and I can't wait for you to see what I got you."

    "I still feel bad," I responded, "you got me things while I was in the hospital, and you got me things for Secret Santa that have to be expensive."

    "Don't worry about it!" He said, dragging the t. He smiled wide, "don't feel bad. I did it because I want to, and I don't want anything in return."

     I playfully rolled my eyes, "Mike, you're truly a pain in my butt."

    He cheekily smiled, "that's my job."

     I laughed. This man was so freaking adorable and I truly didn't deserve anything he did for me.