London calls me a stranger

Chapter 26

Sam's POV

It had been a few weeks since that first magical night with Matt. The air had gotten colder. The ground was getting whiter. And Christmas break was within our reaching. I had been spending most of my nights at Matt's place, only really coming back to campus for my things. But it's okay, Ruby's been staying in my bed whilst she's been moving out of Andy's flat.

Yes! Ruby and andy have finally broken up! It's been a long time coming and they agreed it was for the best if they did.

Everyone has there plans sorted for the holidays. Jamain was going back to Spain to visit his "papa" and "mama" and the rest of his family. I'm not sure what Conor was doing. But April, Ruby and I were all going back up north to see out families. I missed them so much. Christmas was the one time that all my family would get together for a time of peace. A time where no one would argue. And then the next day they would go back to normal. Arguing, fights, and trying to avoid each other. I hate that. I'm so glad I left it.

The cold winter air, wafted in from an ajar window, causing my body to be coated in a layer of goosebumps. I shivered, and tried to shuffle out of Matt's clutches, but he objects. "No," he groaned, "stay here with me." He moaned pulling me closer, back into bed with him.

"Matt, it's freezing, I'm going to close the window." I replied, again trying to stand up out of bed, but yet again Matt pulled me back.

"No, you can cuddle me for warmth." He said pulling me into a warm embrace. He always smelt the same. A mix of his aftershave and the smell of... Well Matt. I loved it. Our legs intertwined and we lay in silence whilst I listened to his heartbeat. "Sam?" He said, breaking the perfect silence.

"Yeah?"

"What are you doing for Christmas break?"

"I told you, I'm going back up north to see my family. It's going to be so hard to be away from you."

"Well you don't have to be."

"What do you mean? You're going to see your family? Aren't you?" I asked puzzled. Why wouldn't ha want to see his family... At Christmas!

"They're all going to Ireland for the holidays." He said, his voice smug. He told me that his grandad was from Ireland, and how he spends every Christmas there.

"Yeah so?"

"I'd rather spend Christmas with you!"

An idea hit me like a beam of light. Why don't we see them both. "Tell you what?! Why don't we have a little trip. We can go and see my family and then on the way back down we can go see yours?"

"That would be perfect." I smiled and again we drifted into the silence, the only noise was the sound of Matt's heartbeat, before I drifted off to sleep.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

The next day, I was walking down the corridor, the last day before the holidays, thank god! I was so excited to get home. To hug my mam. To see my sister. To celebrate Christmas like we always did.

It starts with on Christmas Eve, we all go to the pantomime or another type of Christmas show. This year the pantomime was Snow White, the witch on the Disney film always scared me but a good friend of mine, Anne-Marie, is playing Snow White so were going to support her.

Then on Christmas Eve night, we watch a Christmas film and then on Christmas Day we have a massive meal at my Mam's house. I was so excited. Christmas was probably my favourite holiday. I loved the warm snug feeling you would get in cosy pjs and wooly socks. The smell of burning candles and the fresh morning snow. It hadn't started snowing in London but I've seen photos of up north and it was like a post card.

That on the last day, I was walking back to my dorm to collect my things and pack, when I heard footsteps behind me. A tug on my arm came that forced me to turn around. "Conor!" I exclaimed when I saw his sharp blue stare pinned on me.

"You're not taking him to your parents?!" Oh my god! He needed to let this go!

"What do you care?" I said indifferent tone.

"I care about you!" He whispers, tightening his grasp, and pulling me closer. "He's not worth it Sam, I could make you happy..." His voice turned huskier.

The new Conor slightly scared me. The way he dominated people...

"Don't touch me! Leave me alone" I say struggling under his grasp. "Why do you care?" I asked.

"Cause he's just going to hurt you! Please Sam I promise! I just want to keep you safe." He cupped my face in his hands, rubbing his thumb over my left cheek bone. His eyes trial down to my lips, he firmly bit his own and then looked back to meet my gaze.

As he leans in, I shake my head away from his grasp. "Have a nice holiday, Conor." I said before turning away.