Of Shields & Trees [BxB]

07 | Christmas

I've always wanted to go camping. Ever since I saw this scene in one of my mother's TV shows, I haven't stopped dreaming about it. Usually in my dreams I was either alone, or with Alejo. This time, however, it was Mr. Andonov's misty grey eyes that stared back at me. What the fuck was he doing in my dream?

We were popping corn over the campfire as he told me the story about how he met his wife. It was weird because I've heard this exact same story a year ago and still, Mr. Andonov from my dream said it word by word as he did back then. He even raked a hand through his short dark hair in the same manner as he got to the part where his future wife was dancing in the rain, on a deserted street in the middle of the night, the street lights casting a gentle glow over her elegant form.

"She looked at me with those beautiful baby blue eyes of hers and I swear my heart stopped beating! Only for a few brief seconds but it felt like decades have passed, whole generations have lived their lives and died, and we were still there, gazing at each other's eyes. And her smile... Oh, her smile! She can brighten my whole world with her smile..."

The love in his eyes as he talked about her spoke volumes and I woke up wondering if someone would ever talk about me with the same love and affection as Mr. Andonov whenever he mentioned his wife. Would I meet my one and only? Would my heart skip a beat? Would I have the feeling my whole life up until that point was just a route leading to that person? The one I'm destined to be with. Do I even have a soulmate? It seems unfair only a blessed few to have the privilege of eternal love and happiness.

"Good morning!" Stoyan reminded me of his presence.

No, it wasn't him. My heart did not flutter when he was near.

"Morning," I greeted him back without much enthusiasm. I still haven't forgiven him about cheating on Maxim. But ultimately I've decided I won't be the one to tell him about it. After all, I've known both of them for less than a month. As close as I've felt them right now, it wasn't any of my business. And Maxim was upset enough over his mother anyway. There was no point burdening him even more, considering whatever Stoyan and Noah shared had no future. That, and I didn't want them breaking up and having to pick sides. I would be supposed to side with Maxim, of course, but still... I kinda liked Stoyan more. He reminded me of Pavel in a way. He was like an anchor to my past. The part of it that meant something.

Stoyan's sleepy green eyes settled my worries. I sneaked out of bed and left our room without stumbling over tin foil, the faint pain in my chest subduing as the day went on. There IS someone for me. Somewhere... Probably wondering right now if they'll ever meet me as well.

I brushed my teeth without any issues. No weird colouring substance, or mayo, or anything like that. So far so good.

"Why did you promise them no pranks?" I heard Noah whine as I entered the living room.

Both brothers were sitting on the sofa, still in their pajamas, a mayhem of gift wrappers scattered around them.

"It's not like we had anything interesting planned anyway," Adam answered. "Maybe it's time to... I don't know... Grow up?" Said the man that rose before the rooster crows so he can open his Christmas presents. The same man that found it funny to feed me Sriracha cookies and wash them down with mouthwash.

"Good morning," I greeted them with a fake smile.

"Good morning, fresh meat!" Adam grinned at me, raking his eyes over my body. Only then did I realise that I still had no pants on. "I've got something for you!" He wiggled his brows at me.

I've decided to ignore the double meaning and hesitantly approached the hurricane of gift wrappers with the elegance of a cat. I placed my skinny butt at the edge of the sofa and batted my eyelashes at him. "What did you get me, baby?"