You Ruined Christmas

Chapter 3 - You Ruined Cookies

Scarlet

It's been two days. Two days, I've sat in my bed doing absolutely nothing. Bella's come over about three times since she left for her mom while my mom has been trying to get me out of bed. I keep saying I will later, but I'm not sure that 'later' will ever come.

I was just scrolling through Netflix when my mom decided to come back to coerce me out of bed.

"Scarlet?" I looked up at her. She bit her lip and I knew why. My eyes were red from all the crying and my hair probably looked worse than a bird's nest.

"Yeah?"

"Can you please get out of bed. I know how hard a breakup can be, but this isn't going to help." I know, I know. My mom called my boyfriend cheating on me a breakup. Truth is, I kept the details to myself.

"Mom, we've been over this."

"I know that, but it's been two days. Your room smells like a teenage boy going through puberty and you look disgusting."

"Gee thanks mom." She sighed at my comment.

"All I'm saying is this is getting out of hand. You need to get out of bed. Maybe take a shower, comb your hair."

"Mom..."

"Please? I need to get the cookies from Piece of Cake and I would like you to go for me. You don't need to really talk to people or anything like that. Just ask for the cookies and get on your way."

"I don't know."

"Scarlet you will need to get out of bed sooner or later."

"I vote for later."

My mom's shoulders shrugged and she began to walk out. "I just wish you would try to get better. Drowning yourself in blankets, chocolate, and rom-coms won't help you."

"Whatever." I muttered. My mom left my room, leaving me to my thoughts. I checked my phone and saw Bella's latest text.

'Girl I'm so sorry, but I can't come over. My mom is being a bitch. I will tomorrow. I promise!'

I sighed and set my phone down. I had already watched ever rom-com on Netflix and felt sick from the ice cream. Sitting up, I looked around my room. It was a mess. I decided to get up and clean everything in my room. I started with my bed, stripping it of the sheets and comforter. I put them in the wash before going to pick up the trash I had thrown on the floor. My arms were weak, but I kept working. Anything to keep my mind off of Ivan.

The mere thought of him made me want to cry while simultaneously punch a wall and pretending it was really his face. But instead, I stuck to cleaning. By the time I finished, it was four o'clock. I was cleaning for two hours. How wonderful.

"Scar? Scarlet what are you doing in there?" My mom called from outside my door. She opened it and saw me standing in the middle of my now spotless room. Her eyes went wide. "You cleaned." 

I shrugged. "Just needed a distraction."

She smiled at that. "In that case, do you want to get the cookies? I was just about to go, but I think you are out of 'mess' to clean." I sighed and nodded. "Great. You can just tell Mrs. McCarthy that they are already paid for and under my name."

"Sure thing. I'll get going." We both walked downstairs and passed through the living room. I stopped to look at the news and saw that a storm was coming in. "Bad storm?" I asked.

My mom looked at the TV and nodded. "Yeah, that's why I want you to hurry. It will be coming soon."

"Got it."

"Great. Thanks honey! And remember. Be quick."

Putting on my coat and scarf, I nodded and walked out to my car. The snow was blowing it, and quickly covering the roads. I got in my car and drove to the bakery. I drove slow enough to avoid slipping on the snow, but fast enough to hopefully make it there and back before the snow became to much.

When I finally arrived, I ran to the door, leaving deep footprints in the snow. The wind was blowing hard, snowing flying in my face. I shoved open the door and leaned against it once it shut. I let out a breath and took off my scarf.

"That bad out there?" I looked up to see Jay standing at the counter, looking out the window. "Yikes."

"Yeah. Hey, do you have the cookies my mom bought? They should already be paid for."

"I'll look for them."

I smiled awkwardly. "Thanks." Jay nodded and went to the back. I looked at their TV in the corner by the window.

"This snow storm has become an awful blizzard. We recommend for drivers to get off the road immediately and find close shelter. We ask that everyone stay indoors while we all wait for the blizzard to ride out of town and people to come in the clear the snow off the road. Until then, stay indoors."

"Shit." I turned and saw Jay holding the cookies but this time looking at the TV. "You may want to call your mom. I don't think you'll be able to drive out there. I'm gonna call mine."

My heart dropped. "But I can't. I-I have to get home. My mom will be worried about me staying here overnight."

Jay gave me a deadpanned look. "Yeah, and I think she'll be even more worried about you driving out there and getting in a crash and dying. Now call her."

I rolled my eyes and took out my phone. She picked up on the first ring. "Mom?"

"Hey sweetie. Gosh, I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have asked you to leave. I didn't realize the snow got so bad. Are you okay?"

"Yeah, yeah, I'm okay. And it doesn't matter anymore that I left. I think I have to stay here. You know, for the night?"

"Of course. You are not driving in this weather. Stay there. Is Mrs. McCarthy there?"

"No, just Jay."

"Oh god, okay, that's fine. At least you aren't alone or stuck in your car. You'll be okay. Just hold out for the night. Okay? I love you."

"I love you too mom. I'll be okay."

"Of course you will. By sweetie."

"Bye mom." I hung up and looking around, realization setting in. I bent down, covering my eyes. "Fuck!" I yelled, my voice muffled from my coat.

"You good?"

I looked up at Jay, concern etched in his brow. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just pissed I'm stuck here." I could feel my cheeks heating up. Being stuck in a strange place for the night was bad enough, I didn't to be stuck in a strange place with my old middle school crush, only two days after I got cheated on.

"At least I'm not alone. Look, I'm gonna pack up the money and stuff. It should only take like five minutes. You sure you're good. You did look like you were about to have a meltdown a second ago."

I scoffed and shook my head. "I'm fine. Go pack up your shit. I'll wait." He nodded and took the money from the register to put it away in a safe. I looked around the store, happy that at least the heater was still working. I sat down in a booth and took out my phone to text Bella. She didn't respond, probably keeping her mom from freaking out.

Jay walked back and stood in front of the counter, looking at me. "So..."

"So..."

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Okay, short chapter, I know, but I need to get these chapters coming so I'm not finishing this story in the summer. That would just be awkward. I also would rather just write what I need and not fill each chapter with exposition or info-dumping. Bad idea.

Anyway I'm gonna leave it at that with no ranting this time. Go me.

-Clara :)