Hoax Heart

Chapter Seventeen

I still felt uneasy, but I fell so happy holding T's hand as we made our way to the Christmas markets.

Around time of year, all towns put in so much effort to add such wonderful decorations to create this season a more magical one. Thousand of lights scattered across each building and street lamps, a huge tree decorated and red and gold stood in front of the town hall. I looked at it all in awe, feeling inspired to decorate this extravagant in my own room and even my uncle's home.

My nose practically orgasmed at the delicious mixed smells of cinnamon, gingerbread and chestnuts and the gorgeous fragrances from home-made bath bombs and wax melts.

I felt like a child at Christmas, although deep down, I am. Everyone is in such a good mood, when walking around, making accidental eye contact with the public, I received smiles. Really feels like Christmas brings the good out of everyone.

"I don't even know what to get my mom for Christmas this year." T said, as we looked at hand made wooden ornaments, "I get her the same thing, bath stuff, and I want to get her something different. She always protests that I don't have to get her anything, but I want her to feel appreciated."

I have a think, "I have an idea that won't cost you much, only a few bucks."

"What's that?"

"A photo of you and Sammy. I can take the pictures, I can use the studio at the Hall, and we'll grab a couple photo frames, they're not expensive, you can pick up some nice ones at the dollar store."

"Why didn't I think of that? I think she'd really love that as we don't have any recent photos of me and Sammy together."

"It'll mean more to her, as it's more meaningful."

"Are you sure you're okay doing it?"

"Yes, of course, no charge of course. Don't think about it, I'm offering."

"You're amazing." T grabs my face and plants a hard kiss on my forehead, "You really are the best girlfriend ever." He throws his arms around me, squeezing me, and I couldn't help but giggle at his actions, "Come on, today is my treat. To the hot chocolate stall!"

I laugh at his enthusiasm and felt a little embarrassment at his loudness and pointing down the street, as he marched down, dragging me down the street.

I was looking at the stall with bath bombs, bath salts and wax melts, picking each product up and smelling them, adding the ones I preferred in the plastic baskets we are handed to place what we wanted in them. I was choosing products for Christmas gifts, thinking they were better than bought online, and also helping someone's independent businesses out. I even chose some products for myself, I do love a bath with a colourful bath bomb, they make you skin feel so soft and smooth. I also handed my own business cards to the stalls where I purchased products from, might as well exchange businesses.

The next stall sell hand made Christmas ornaments and I was drawn to it. I love baubles, I also get new ones ever year, I can't help myself. The stall holder told me how he makes the glass himself and his husband decorates each one, all decorations were in colour coordinated order; red, gold, silver, blue, green, pink, purple... I was in love with these designs, there were retro and modern.

"I'll be back in a sec, babe." T said, and walks across the road to who I spotted was Eric.

I felt slight anger towards the bully after his behaviour. I wondered why T would even go and speak to him, but they have been friends for years, but I simply do not trust Eric and I do worry about T.

I kept glimpsing over and what I saw was a possibly hostile conversation. I couldn't hear aggression, but by their body language and Eric constantly grabbing T's arm made me feel unsafe for him. T turned his head back towards me, which I quickly turned my head back and picked up an ornament to look at. I tried peering over and saw T was looking at Eric again and they both seemed calm, giving each other a bro hug.