Aloha ⭐️

19 - Marshmallow

I woke up Christmas morning and just laid in bed looking at the ceiling. After I gave Steve that picture, he kissed me again, it was just like the mistletoe kiss. I wasn't sure what to think any more about it. Did Steve like me? Was he wanting to date me? Was he not dating me because I was Mary's friend? Was he just a guy who didn't date? What was I to think? Since I had been here, he hadn't been with anyone.

I finally groaned and got out of bed putting on a sports bra and leggings. I needed to run, I needed to clear my head, and this was the best way. Usually, yoga was my morning workout, but I needed my earbuds blaring music in my ears as I ran.

I grabbed everything and headed downstairs. Steve was coming in from the backyard when I walked in. He just looked at me ducked into the kitchen. I looked up and mistletoe was still up, and I groaned.

"I'm going for a run!" I yelled and was out the door before he could say or do anything, not that I thought he would.

I stretched at the end of the driveway and then went running down the street. This was good, this was going to clear my head. I knew it would, I needed to calm down. It was two kisses, it meant nothing. Steve meant nothing and I needed to come to the fact this was a crush and my only way to get away from the crush would be to make a change, a change that should have been made when I moved here.

I wasn't sure how long I had been running when I got a text from Mary.

Mary: Merry Christmas sweetie! Are you still coming to the mainland in a couple of days?

I stopped so I could answer her.

Cali: Yep, I get in on the 2nd. My aunt and uncle are picking me up. You and I will plan a time to get together.

Mary: DUH! But there has been a change in my living arrangement. I will explain when you get here. Love you and see you soon.

Cali: Merry Christmas! Love you and see you soon too!

I put my phone back in my armband, made my turn and ran back home. Once I got to the end of the driveway I nearly collapsed onto Steve's truck. I ran too hard, and my legs felt like jello.

I was giving my body a minute to realize I could still walk when I took my earbuds out of my ears. As I was standing there, I heard a noise and I looking around, it was a small little cry from an animal. I stayed silent and I heard it a few more times, it was coming from under Steve's truck. I got down on the ground and peered under the truck. I was met by a tiny, scared, shaking little kitten. It kept meowing at me.

"Come here baby...I won't hurt you." I soothed. The kitten may have been scared but it walked over to my hand I was holding out to it. I petted the kitten when it got within reach, and I smiled.

"You're adorable. Do you want to come inside?" I asked. I knew it couldn't answer but it did walk out from under the truck. I stood up and picked up the kitten and it instantly cuddled into my chest where I was holding it.

I walked in but didn't see Steve. I just ignored not finding him and walked into the kitchen.

"Let's get you cleaned up cutie." I turned on warm water and started to clean the kitten off and it just kept meowing. I cleaned it and noticed all the dirt come off. I thought the kitten was grey but now that it was clean it turned out stark white and I smiled. I grabbed a dish towel to wrap it in. I went to leave the kitchen and Steve was standing in the doorway.

"Where did you find a kitten?" Steve asked as I wrapped the kitten in a towel.

"Under your truck when I came back from my run." I said and Steve half nodded. He walked right over to me and started gently scratching its head. "It was all alone. I couldn't leave it outside." I continued and Steve half nodded.