Short Stories: A Collection

As Santa's Girlfriend

Yes, this is dedicated to you, whoever you are, as long as you're a reader of this story. I hope you have a wonderful, wonderful Christmas! :D Enjoy it to the fullest and don't waste your holidays, yeah? (: Oh, and in anticipation of this story, I've made a cover. It's the one at the side~

Copyrighted © 2012, permafrost (from Wattpad)  

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As Santa's Girlfriend

Everything seemed to be collapsing in my life. First, it was my parents, both of whom decided to get a divorce out of the blue. No, not really. There were signs since a long time ago, but their patience finally ran out, and both had already decided to go to court the day after tomorrow for my custody, and for their money. What would that leave me? Oh, a girl whose parents divorce on Christmas Day. Then, something else happened earlier today: my boyfriend decided to break up with me, even though it was almost Christmas Eve. In fact, Christmas Eve was coming soon in a few hours' time, and he had to choose such an appropriate time to hurt me.

I walked, feeling lonely, down the street lit with various Christmas lights of different colours. Figurines of gingerbread men and little children stood decoratively at one side of the pathway, surrounded by bright spotlights from the top and on the tiled floor. They made every single thing in my view sparkle prettily, and though there were many couples about, their happiness wasn't able to rub on me. I sighed, and watched the puff of white smoke emanate from my mouth, slowly dissipating into nothingness.

I wiped a stray tear and chided myself. Why was I feeling sorry for myself? That was just so stupid. I pulled my hand through my dark, straight long hair, from my very scalp to the end, and sighed more. Sniffing and then breathing in deeply, I allowed myself to sit at an empty bench by the side. Eyeing the ring around the fourth finger on my right hand, I immediately lost my composure – hot, salty tears ran down mercilessly, leaving rivulets behind.

"Stupid, stupid Scott. It wasn't like I was purposely trying to irritate you by ranting about my parents' issue to get more of your attention. I just needed someone to talk to. Stop flattering yourself, stupid jerk," I mumbled under my breath, feeling annoyed. I bit my lips, pulled off the silver band, and kept it ruthlessly into my jacket's shallow pocket. It could drop for all I care.

"Oh, Santa's here already!" a little girl walking pass with her parents exclaimed excitedly, jumping up and down, making her short haircut and bangs bounce cutely. Her rosy cheeks bulged out like a chipmunk's as a smile lit her face.

Her father chuckled at his daughter's reaction while her mother searched in front of her. "How do you know that?" she asked gently, swinging the small hand in her grasp lightly. Green with envy, I watched how the lady was looking lovingly at her child, her brown eyes sparkling. No way was my own mother ever going to look at me like that.

"Over there, over there! See the lights?" She pointed at one of the lit up windows across the street. A couple of kids were already lining up for their turn, many of them seeming to shine with exhilaration. "He's here to listen to our wishes! Come on!" And with that, she pulled her mother along, the father following closely behind, telling his little girl to slow down, laugh lines carved deeply beside his eyes.

Then, this brilliant idea occurred to me. I didn't care if it sounded crazy; just as long as there was anything to brighten up my mood, anybody to talk to about my problems. Sure, I could ask my friends out, but I didn't want to worry them, and neither did I want them to treat me with pity. I'd had enough of that. So, what else would be better than to talk to a complete stranger about it? How about Santa Claus himself? I could even ask for him to grant a wish of my own... if he agreed to, since I was already a big girl.