Together From the Start

TWELVE

Chapter Twelve| Destiny

"Now that the midterms are over, I hope you enjoy your holidays," my English professor spoke to the class as everyone packed up.

After a week filled with long study sessions, waterdown coffee, and not enough sleep, I can successfully say that my midterms were a success. Although my grades haven't come in yet, I feel very confident in myself.

All I really care about now is packing for the break and the party tomorrow. And making sure my gifts for my family have been shipped out. The shipping company has been annoying the hell out of me. Another thing I've been stressed about all week.

I had already bought, wrapped, and packed everything up since the first week of December. But, for some reason, there have been many delays and shit. It's pissing me off.

But, I've been tracking them every five minutes, and no issues so far. They are almost at home.

I decided to walk back to my apartment, even though it is very cold outside. I have my large coat and scarf to keep me warm. And it's not a far walk. It's four p.m., and the sun is now setting. Plus, I love looking at the twinkle lights, they have placed on the lamps in the yard.

I exit the English & literature building, exhaling, noticing the temperature dropped. Plugging my AirPods in my ears, playing Christmas music.

Don't let my class foul you, I love a good Christmas jam...

Stuffing my hands into my coat pocket, and beginning my walk. Even with the low temp, the yard is very lively. Some people hang out around the benches, others throw the snowballs and create snowmen. From the excess snow that is leftover from yesterday's snowfall.

While I'm wrapped up in my music, I feel a heavy palm on my shoulder. I jump back a little, turning around to see Brandon.

A very bruised-up Brandon.

I pull out my Airpods as he speaks up to me, "Hey, sorry to bother you."

"Hey," I respond back distracted by the bruise on his nose.

"I just wanted to say I'm sorry for everything I put you through. I shouldn't have done that to you. You didn't deserve it." He continues, rubbing the back of his neck, "For what it's worth, I will never love anyone, as I loved you."

"Uhh," I decided to brush off his last comment.

If he loved me so much, what drove him to cheat.

"It'd honestly fine, and I'm over it, honestly."

He hummed, seemingly looking down. Like he wanted me to react differently.

I feel wrong not to talk about the elephant in the room, "I'm sorry, but what happened to your face?"

"Stop trying to be funny, you know," he said.

I look at him confused, "Boy, what are you talking about?"

"Aye, yoo," I turn my head to the voice of one of Brandon's fraternity brothers.

"I gotta go, bye."

He then scurries away.

What the hell? How did I ever go out with this man? He is so weird.

...

"Merry Christmas," Jayda says as I walk through the door of our apartment. She then throws fake snow in the air.

"I hope you know you're cleaning that up," I smile at her.

She comes over and places a Santa hat on my head, as I shrug my coat off.

"Come on, I've been waiting all day."

Jayda and I decided to have our own Christmas this evening because we won't see each other until after the break. I leave the day after tomorrow and the party is tomorrow, so tonight is the only night.

Jayda sits criss-cross near our tree. Four gifts in total so two gifts each.

I come over to her, noticing her knee bouncing up and down.

"Are you okay?" I asked.

"I had a double espresso shot this morning, before my last test. And haven't been able to calm down since. Plus the urge of me not ripping open these gifts right now is annoying me."

I giggle.

Taking her first gift from under the tree and handing it to her, "Merry Christmas, Jayda."

She loosens the red bow on the box and tries her best to open it gently. Folding over the wrapping paper and revealing a brand new Coach bag.

"AHHHH, shut up," she squealed.

I'm not going to lie I was going to get it for myself. But, I thought it would be the perfect gift for my bestie.

"You bitch," Jayda spoke. "I got you the same thing."

She hands me a gift bag, with the same box and ribbon. The handbag inside was the same thing but in a light pink shade.

I stare in awe, "We are too predictable, it is crazy."

She hands me my last gift, "I hope we aren't too predictable to pick the same shit for each other twice."

"I know you said you wanted a pair so I jumped at the opportunity."

"Aww, thank you, babes." I hugged her.

I give her, her last gift. It was a tan trenchcoat and she squealed. She loves Pink Panther. She has a literal tapestry of that meme, with him in his coat.

She tried it on and is now parading it around the living room, while I laugh at her.

I can't stand this girl.

"Okay, I'm done. Let's make some Hot Cocoa and watch some movies. I was thinking Harry Potter binge. But, I'm also down with any Christmas movies."

"Harry Potter, you know I love those movies."

...

I know this is short, but I had to get something out to you all.