Christmas Mornings (on hold)

Christmas Mornings and Umbrellas

|| Fourth Dawn Mass. Friday. December 19 ||

Yesterday's turn of events went way out of hand. It all went unexpected. Meeting a very handsome Jed during the mass was something I couldn't complain about. However, the staring match between me and Alonzo later on the morning was something I would trade anything to forget.

I still saw the look on his face when we met outside the bakery just after Jed left. He looked somewhere in between mad, hurt, and disappointed. I just couldn't quite put my finger on.

His spectacled russet brown eyes bore holes on my chestnut brown ones as he intensely gazed at me. It was as if he was trying to tell me something through his eyes which I just couldn't figure out. He was so difficult to read. It was like after a year of knowing him, I felt like there were still a lot I didn't know. Or it could be that a year after the breakup we became strangers towards each other.

He loosened up a bit and gave me a shy smile which hadn't really reached his eyes. I couldn't blame him. I, myself, couldn't muster a small smile for him. He took a step closer which I immediately stopped with my shaking head. I mouthed a big NO at him and he stopped at his tracks.

I tried to be civil with Alonzo. I really tried. I really did. It was already a year after all. Hard feelings should have been burried six feet under. Only I couldn't get myself to get over it all. It was still painful. Still very painful. Probably because I needed more than the usual I'm sorry and it's me not you bullcrap. I needed closure.

"Hey." My train of thought was interrupted by a familiar voice. I looked up and saw Jed standing close to me. "This seat taken?"

The mass had ended but I was still stuck here waiting for the rain to stop. I didn't bring my umbrella despite the warning signs of the dark rainy clouds earlier. I also made a mistake when I didn't tag along mom and autnie Clara. I stayed behind because I saw a friend of mine and we got caught up in a long girl talk.

"The mass is over Jed. You are free to sit anywhere." I said, a knowing smile plastered on my face.

"Strict much?" He raised an eyebrow at me and a smile tugged at his lips.

I giggled at him. I didn't know why I felt so at ease with him. I just did. It was like he just exudes extreme positive energy and happy vibe that I just couldn't ignore. That's probably why I liked him a lot even if I only met him yesterday.

He took the seat beside me. We just sat there quiet for a while. I checked the time, 6:30 am. Thirty minutes had already past since the end of the mass but the rain showed no sign of stopping. I had a morning class today and it would start at 10:00 am. I still had plenty of time but I needed to get home to prepare. I haven't taken a bath yet. Good thing though, I didn't have any more exams for the day. It's the last school day before the Christmas break. After today, I would be as free as a bird. No more studying, no more assignments, and no more school work. I had a full 2 weeks before classes began again.

"So, you planing on going home yet?" Jed finally broke the ice.

"Even if wanted to, I can't. It's raining so hard and I don't have an umbrella." I replied with a sulky expression.

He gave another one of his signature broad smile and held his hand up. "Ta-da" He said as he showed me a blue golf umbrella.

I smiled widely at that. Jed was a total life saver. I hugged him in glee and immediately let go when I realized I was getting too intimate. "Sorry about that. I just got too excited." I said sheepishly.

"Don't sweat it. It's fine. I could totally get why you hugged me. What, with my charm and all, I think it's just about time you did that." He responded arrogantly.