The Elf and The Grinch

the meet-cute ?

first and foremost, merry christmas everyone ! originally, i didn't want to publish this short story at all but hey, it's christmas and i thought of sharing this cute little story I made back in high school with all of you.

Christmas is more than just the gifts, but with the people you share it with and the love you give.

This christmas, my gift to all of you is this short story. Enjoy ! 🎄

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‘Twas the night before everyone’s favorite holiday. A day filled with joy, laughter, family and of course, food. Noelle was looking forward to it the most. All the members in her family would be there! Even family members whom she has never seen before, but she didn’t mind at all. As they say, the more, the merrier. Noelle has always loved Christmas more than anything in the world to the point where she made it her job. She works at a Christmas shop owned by her aunt and because of its antique and aesthetic theme, it was always a crowd favorite. However, it may just be because of her aunt who is the complete definition of Mrs. Claus. She’s the kindest, sweetest and happiest person Noelle has ever met.

As usual, she wakes up to the smell of hot chocolate made by her mom. It was a family tradition to always make hot chocolate paired with gingerbread cookies on Christmas Day. She put on her glasses and went downstairs to find her mom in the kitchen, her brother attempting to guess what’s inside the presents and her aunt gone.

“Perhaps she’s already at the shop”

Noelle thought as she sat down to eat her breakfast. She sipped her hot chocolate while watching the snowflakes gracefully fall outside the window. It was a winter wonderland, one she always wanted to see. Her eyes trailed to the clock on the wall that resembled the one at the Burrow. It took her a moment to realize that she only had 10 minutes to get to the shop before customers pile in. She quickly bid her family farewell and ushered outside.

Here’s the thing about her town. It may be small but it's terrible- I mean powerful. On normal days, it only becomes busy when something major happens. For example, if someone won the lottery. Or perhaps if someone made it to the headlines of a popular magazine. But during Christmas, it would take a miracle to  even get you to the main square. As early as 5 am, shops are already open and bustling. People are already outside enjoying the snow or sharing what they have planned for dinner. She scolded herself for waking up so late on the most important day of the year. As she struggled to squeeze in between all the people, she overheard something interesting.

“Did you hear about that journalist?” one asked.

“I heard he’s secretly a prince from a secluded country who came here to escape.”
Please. That sounds like something out of a movie! How ridiculous.

“Seriously, you’re watching too many rom-coms these days.”

Noelle snorted after hearing that. What journalist? Why is he here?

As she pondered about these thoughts, she bumped into someone and heard a loud grunt.

“For Christ’s sake woman! Watch where you’re going, will you? You already have 4 eyes yet you still can’t see what’s in front of you.” a voice harshly said.

How dare he! He was the one too focused on his phone to even notice a fly. Much more a person.

“Excuse me? How dare you! It’s not my fault you’re obsessed with your phone and have no sense of direction.” Noelle countered, her blood boiling.

The man scoffed. “I was in the middle of something important. But surely you wouldn’t know that. Seeing as you are an incompetent girl wandering around this extremely small town with her head in the gutter.”