someone special

Chapter Two

I love Christmas. It has always been a highlight in my life, usually it is the only time that my parents spend with me. Since last year, there was always been a bit of pain in remembering the holiday. Last year, my parents were around, but I wasted my Christmas.

There was this girl, a family friend named Janis. I had grown up around her, but never really being the extroverted type; we rarely ever spoke. Last December, we both coincidentally ended up volunteering at the same church. I attended this church frequently, coming every Sunday I could. I am not much of a religious type, I feel the need to go in absence of my other family. Once, in the midst of handing out some flyers for girl scouts before service, Janis spoke to me.

I remember her obviously trying to flirt, I remember me politely trying to decline because I was afraid of that sort of relationship. At a point, I became used to the inappropriate remarks she would make, it started to feel like I liked them. A week before Christmas, we had resulted into making out in the bathroom stalls. I don't actually remember there ever being a label on our situation. I always assumed we were official after the moment she confessed her undying love for me.

Christmas Eve, I bought a beautiful blue dress sparkled with rhinestones that I could imagine making Janis' eyes glow. I spent all of my allowance I had left from the month, it was a good quality dress. I stopped over at her house the morning of Christmas, eager to give her the big present. I remember how she answered the door. I remember walking into her place, being able to something was off. I remember how a dude came out of her bedroom, how I absolutely was heartbroken. I dropped her gift box and left. A week later Janis told me she needed someone her age. She told me the same way she told me that it was okay for her to be 22 and for me to be 16.

I wish I spent Christmas with my family, or maybe at my schools winter dance. I spent it with someone who made me feel insecure, and wrong. Our whole relationship felt like two puzzle pieces trying to fit together that weren't made for each other. This year I want to live up to the song, I wanted to give my heart to someone special.

I hear someone clear their throat, I pick my head up to see the boy from earlier. Taking another glance at his name tag, I remember his name is Gabriel.

I perk up, a newfound energy within me as I analyze the boy. He's got beautiful green eyes with speckles of brown, or maybe orange? "Hello!" I give a short wave and fix my posture. He smiles and bends down to slide into the booth across from me.

He focuses his vision on the storm outside. I now look at his hair, its so so delicately placed. It looks like every strand has been perfectly glued still, but even with the slightest amount of movement it all crumbles. "This seat is usually my table to rest if the cafe slows down. I love the view." he almost whispers, his voice is soothing and warm.

I don't quite pick up what hes saying, still admiring him. I close my eyes and shortly realize that he is insinuating that I leave the table. "Oh, I'm sorry. I can find a different table!" I apologize while picking up my phone and quickly trying to slide out of the booth, but my jeans get caught on the leather seat.

Gabriel shakes his head profusely, "No, please stay. I don't mind the company!" he smiles, and suddenly I feel inclined to return to my original seating. I smile in return, staying quiet. Now his green eyes seem to be burning a hole straight through me, like they can tell all of my secrets.

After a few seconds of silence, I break the eye contact by looking out the window. "It's so pretty out." I smile, but Gabriel still is staring at me. I can see it out of the corner of my eye, I can feel my face get hot.

I look over and raise an eyebrow, confused what he could be so focused on. Gabriel gasps like hes just got done drowning. "My god, I'm so sorry! Can I get you anything to drink or eat?" he smiles, and rubs his neck. His face is now flushed with pink, embarrassed.

I look around the cafe, there is a woman in a cardigan typing fast on a laptop. Besides her, the building is empty. The roads are empty, the only thing out there that is clear of snow is the parking lot right next to the cafe. In the parking lot, are two cars, one of them is covered in the snow. The other has maybe a few flakes. I return to the conversation, raising my sleeve to cover my mouth while I laugh. "Could I get some mint hot chocolate, and maybe something sweet?" Gabriel nods and leaves the seat parallel to me. He bows to me before spinning on his feet and skipping towards the counter. I smile.

I watch as Gabriel bends over behind the counter and picks up a small trey with churros on it. He slides a small container into a coffee machine, and sets a mug underneath the contraption. As the machine pours out steaming liquid, he pulls out a small container to set the churros in. I turn my head back out the window.

"Voila!" I hear Gabriel say before I feel him set something on the table. I look over to see a steaming mug, its hot chocolate with whipped cream topping. There are also some sprinkles on top of the whipped cream. I notice a cup full of dark liquid, it seems to be black coffee. The two drinks are accompanied by the churros.

Gabriel slides back down into the booth, I stare at my cup which he has set in front of me. "I hope churros are okay, I like them with my coffee." he speaks before taking a sip of his drink. I don't look up from staring, I feel my eyes start to water and I'm not quite sure why. Gabriel notices this because he lightly grazes my hand which is resting on the table. "Are you okay? What's wrong?" he asks, I look up.

His light touch is warm, comfortable. I pull my hand away and wipe my eyes, "Yea! I don't know what came over me, sorry." Gabriel smiles and I sip my hot chocolate, burning my lip but trying to hide the pain.

We sit in silence, taking sips and eating the churros. Exchanging the occasional glance. After a while Gabriel speaks up. "So, if you don't mind me asking; why are you here?" I turn my head and raise an eyebrow. He laughs softly, "I mean it has been snowing all day, the roads were only clear when I started my shift." Gabriel points to the car outside covered in snow.

"I walked here. I like walking." I whisper.

He looks out the window and loses focus. "Walking.... cool. Walking is cool, yea." his voice trails off.

I take another sip of hot chocolate and then speak. "What about you? I mean you've been working all day in a storm." I tease. Gabriel looks over at me and then picks up a churro.

He takes a bite out of churro, swallows and answers my question. "Money, I like the money. Also I don't do anything else. I've never seen a point in holidays, I never have anyone to spend them with." I frown, I could spend holidays with this boy.

"Gabriel." I mutter to myself.

He raises an eyebrow and laughs, "Yes?"

"That's your name." I whisper, looking up at him. He nods, "It's so pretty." I whisper even quieter.

Gabriel smiles and I can see him blush. "What's yours?"

I lift my head up and watch as he takes another bite of the churro. "Simon."

He whispers, "That's prettier."