What Are You Hiding, Roman Hart?

Sniff Sniff

The Christmas festival was, well a Christmas festival. It wasn't like the ones you see on TV where they have parades, dancers, and thousands of people there. It was very small and quaint, but I seemed to like it far better.

There were several small Christmas trees that were decorated and set up around town. Christmas lights were strung everywhere and music was playing through the streets. The whole town seemed to be there, which was about 300 people. Like I said, small and quaint.

Unfortunately, it made it hard for Roman and I to walk around and visit the shops around town because everyone knew we weren't from there. Every place we went, we were asked questions like, 'Where are you guys from?', 'Are y'all moving into town?', 'Are you single because my daughter needs a husband?'. That last one was only asked to Roman.

I mean I know he's a handsome guy, heck I'm dating the guy. I was still a little jealous of all the attention he was getting. Girls were glancing at him as we walked along the street, and even a couple of them asked for his number. Of course, he turned all of them down. Honestly, he could have been more polite while doing it. The poor girls looked like they were going to cry. It would be easier if he was uglier, but what can I say, that hot man likes me. Hehehe.

"What are you laughing at?", Roman asked.

"Oh nothing.", I said absentmindedly.

"What are you thinking about in that weird little brain of yours?", he asked.

Distracted by the insult he directed towards my brain, I blurted out, "Just about how hot you are."

A mischievous grin grew on his face as I quickly realized my mistake. There was no way he was going to let this go until he teased me to death first.

"Ohhhhhhhhh so you think I'm handsome? I know my face is blinding so don't stare at it for too long, or you might hurt your eyes.", he said.

"I lied, you're ugly.", I responded.

I said it without thinking. What if he gets mad or his feelings get hurt. I'm literally so stupid, why did I say that?

He didn't say anything for a moment. I was worried I actually hurt his feelings, but to my amusement, he put on a great performance.

"Sniff sniff How could you say that? I'm so hurt. Sniff sniff  You have to comfort me until I feel better. Sniff sniff.", he said.

Oh right, how could I forgot I was dealing with this idiot and his fake crying. "Alright alright, I didn't mean it. I promise to do whatever you want."

Future me was going to regret making that promise.

As we continued to walk, I didn't see his stupid smirk plastered on his face while walking beside me. He really knows how to get his way.

It's nice though, being able to joke around like this again. It feels like ages since we've done this. Probably the last time was before he found out about Ryan bullying me.

I wonder what that asshole is up to. I haven't seen him since Roman was suspended and I took a medical leave. I'll eventually have to see him again if I want to graduate. I just know he'll start up trouble. Oh well, one trouble after the next. Let's just focus on the one beside me for now.

Roman and I continued our shopping spree in cheerful moods. He tried to sneakily hold me hand a couple of times, but a bunch of people were giving us weird looks. I guess that's expected when you're in a small rural southern town.

"Oli, stop letting go. I want to hold your hand.", he said.

"But people are looking at us weird.", I responded.

I hate that I care so much about what people think. I think that's my worst quality. I've always struggled with it ever since I was child, and it only seems to get worse when I get older.

"What if I put our hands into my pocket? Nobody will see them then.", he asked.

"...Okay."

I just need to be brave and hold my boyfriend's hand. I'm not going to see these people ever again, so why does it matter?

I grabbed his hand and interlocked our fingers. I stuffed our hands into his warm pockets and continued towards some more shops. This wasn't so bad. It pays to be brave sometimes.

"Oli, look!", Roman said

I looked towards the store front window that he was pointing at and saw a pair of bracelets. They didn't look very expensive, but they weren't bad looking. It actually looked exactly like something I would buy.

"We should get matching couples bracelets.", he said.

"I didn't know you could be so cheesy.", I replied.

"Hey! I can be romantic. You're just to dense to notice. I've done so many romantic things with you, but you probably thought you were just hanging out with your buddy."

"Yeah yeah, I'll believe it when I see it.", I said.

"You better prepare yourself then.", he said smirking.

I rolled my eyes and pulled him into the little store. The owner greeted us as we looked around. I walked over towards the selection of bracelets and chose one that I thought would suit Roman well.

"Roman come try this one on.", I said.

He strode over to me and I quickly fastened the bracelet around his wrist. The bracelet consisted of black leather and had a silver charm of an arrow attached to it. It suited him well.

"Do you like this one?", I asked.

"Of course, you picked it out for me.", he said.

I laughed and asked, "Will you pick one out for me?"

He nodded and browsed through the selection. He eventually stopped and picked one up. The bracelet he chose had green leather and had a small heart charm attached to it that was gold.

"I think this one is good. It's like my arrow has captured your heart.", he said.

I blushed at his words and said, "Again with the cheesy stuff."

He laughed. "I told you to prepare yourself. I'm going to say so much cheesy stuff that you'll get sick of me."

"I could never get sick of you.", I said.

He looked at my face for a moment before looking into my eyes and leaned closer. His eyes moved down to my lips waiting to connect his to mine. Unfortunately the shop owner coughed and broke up our rendezvous. He looked disgusted by us, but I chose to ignore it. I just wanted to enjoy these little moments with Roman. Never again, I'll never see this guy again, I reminded myself.

Roman quickly fastened the bracelet around my wrist and we went to pay. The owner didn't seem to happy to have to talk to us, but he can deal with it.

After we payed for the bracelets, I intertwined our hands once more. This time we had our matching bracelets.

We continued down the street when Roman suddenly stopped. He looked at me then quickly grabbed my face and kissed my lips. The kiss was gentle and tender to express his emotions, and I happily reciprocated.

I broke the kiss and looked into his eyes smiling. He smiled back at me. We were in our own little bubble. It was happy and content. It was perfect. But of course, it had to burst.

"RUN! THERE'S PEOPLE WITH GUNS!", a young lady shouted while running past us.

Screams filled the air as well as the sounds of guns firing. I looked over at Roman and he was already pulling out his gun and knives.

"Oli, whatever you do stay behind me.", he said while handing me a knife.

"I don't plan on you using this, but it's just in case.", he said.

I grabbed the knife and gripped it tightly in my hand. I guess things can't always be perfect.