The Fan Gay (Cate Blanchett)

Chapter 31

"Did you actually run away? Why does it look like you brought all of your clothes here?" I said as I tried to drag my mother's luggage to my bedroom.

We're now unpacking her things for her one-week stay at my house. I'm still not sure if this is the right choice, the right decision. But, I guess I had to stand with this. There was no other option; it was already happening.

"You said you don't want me here, so I-I thought I'll stay with Emma for a while, than stay at some fancy hotel. My plan is just to stay with them for at least a month."

I turn my head to give her a frown look as I sit next to my closet, "A month? Are you not embarrassed about what you are saying?" I focus back on what I'm doing, putting my other clothes aside to give space for my mom, "Thank god I offered you to stay here."

"Hey, It's not bad to stay with them! I bet you would be thankful not to see me every day."

I scoffed, "You have a point." Still, I shake my head immediately, "But, It's far better here. I don't wanna bother them."

"I'm not gonna cause any trouble, Bunny."

I rolled my eyes as I unpacked some of her clothes, whispering, "You yourself are the Trouble, Mom."

Then I continue unpacking. I let mom wait downstairs while being busy in my closet. I was in the middle of organizing the clothes when I saw a familiar foot from a stuffed toy inside the luggage. My eyes widened for a moment before I had to get it right away, and just like I was expecting, I was right. This is mine.

Bucky.

"God, It's been a long time," I whispered to myself as I stared at him, "I missed you so much, Bucky."

If someone wonders, he was a Christmas gift when I was just a child back then. This is the same house where I received this gift, where I met Bucky for the first time. I remember it was also the first time we had a Christmas tree. Not the tall one, but only the same size as me, so it's small and also... fake. My mother convinced me that it was a real one, that she had to cut it for herself so we could experience a different Christmas that year. But I knew she was lying. I knew it from the start when I looked at it because of how dark it was than the real one.

But I didn't care about it. I didn't mind having a fake tree or the lie she told me. The important is we finally have a Christmas tree in our house. And I just remember being so happy and excited while decorating that little tree.

I don't have any friends back then, I haven't met Mia yet, so I don't have someone to invite with. That's why the house is less bright than others. It was only my Mother and me who celebrated Christmas at that time.

Then just before midnight, I was crying because she told me that I needed to sleep and that Santa wasn't going to give me his gift if I was awake. I find it funny now because I was really pissed that night that while we lay down in the bed, I was already planning how I would sneak out of our bed while my mother was in her deep sleep.

...And, of course, I did. I successfully sneaked out.

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16 years ago...

I waited for Mom to sleep before slowly crawling out of our bed. I'm so afraid and nervous that I put a pillow under my blanket on my side, so she will think I'm still sleeping beside her.

I'm sorry, Mom.

I walk carefully to the stairs with my hands in my mouth, tipping my toe as quietly as possible. I really hope Mom will not spank my ass if she catches me... and it's Christmas too! She can't get that mad! Santa would also not give her a gift if she scolded and didn't forgive me.