Our Classic Christmas Story

Chapter 15: How could I be so Stupid? (Bennet)

It's really easy to get to the party considering it's right next door. I walk in to see the whole house covered in Christmas decorations. I head right to the kitchen to grab a hot chocolate, but Jinx stops me.

"Oh. My. Goodness. You are looking very nice today, Bennet!" She exclaims over the music playing in the background.

"Hey Jinx," I respond.

"Here, let me get you that hot chocolate," As she walks away, I freeze.

Because right in front of me Aiko. Before I can get angry at her, I get blown away at what she's wearing. A short white dress with a matching shawl, a white cape clipped to the back, and white heels. But that's when I get really angry. Who else would know I like girls in white dresses other than Carter. Why? After what she's already done? What is she trying to do? Rub it in? Before she can say anything, I storm out, leaving Jinx with my cup of hot chocolate. I make eye contact with Cameron before rushing up the stairs to my room. He nods, as if he understands. Like hell he does. I slam my bedroom door and turn on Bruno Mars, again. Before I can do anything else, I hear the doorbell ring. Who in the world would be ringing my doorbell? It better not be Jinx coming to reassure me again. Ugh. What a nightmare this whole week was.

"BENNET!" I hear Cameron yelling for me. "THE HOT ONE IS HERE!" Oh bloody hell. Not stopping to pause my music, I rush down the stairs, careful not to slip on the wooden floor.

"I'll leave you two alone," My dad says.

I walk in to see Aiko. My eyes widen in shock. Aiko? I thought it was Jinx. Cameron slowly walks away, continuously reassuring Aiko. I glare at him before turning back to Aiko.

"Bennet, I know you saw me and Conner."

"So what? Why are you here!?" I'm a lot angrier than I thought I would be. She goes off apologising, but I can't hear her. Is she actually sorry? For what happened?

"I just," She looks back down, "I love you and now that everything's messed up I knew the only thing to do was apologize... so here I am... in a white dress, just like Carter said you liked, just to impress you..."

What? My eyes involuntarily tear up. We lock eyes, and for a moment, time seems to stop. Then, she leans up and kisses me on the cheek.

"I understand that you probably don't want to see me nor need me around right now so I'll leave you alone... but if you change your mind just text me." She walks out, into the freezing cold. She can't walk home. It's too cold for that.

"Hey Bruce?!" I yell.

"Yes, Master Bennet?"

"Can you take Aiko home please? I don't want her out in the freezing cold," I explain.

"Of course, Master Bennet," He walks out, unlocking the car door and getting in. The least I can do is make sure she doesn't get sick.

"So? What happened?" I hear Cameron behind me.

"Yeah. She was really pretty!" Charlotte exclaims.

"She looked like a princess," Noah says.

I smile. "Yeah. She did."

"Did you even hear half of what she said?" Cameron asks.

I blink, "Oh shit, no not really, just the first and last part..."

"Hey! That's a dollar for both of us!" Charlotte continues to yell.

"Alright, alright," I hand both Charlotte and Noah one dollar each and they rush off talking about what they're going to spend it on. Cameron laughs.

"I'm going to bed. Good night everyone," I say, heading up the stairs.