Christmas Island

Not By Myself This Time

Ah, Christmas Island. Well, Roosevelt Island is it's real name, in fact. But Christmas Island is more...suitable. Never have I ever saw so much decoration on buildings, trees, and even cars this time of year in one place! And the funny thing is, I don't even live there and yet I visit that astonishing place almost every single day. I mean, it is only a few blocks down from my house.

Oh wow, I'm sorry everyone. My name's Candie. Candie Remalzia. Just a 15 year old girl. Oh, but am I? I like to think that I'm part of a Martian family, and they're trying desperately to pick me up from Earth. I have this...oddly shaped curly brown hair that just never stays in place. Not to mention I smile too much. Thats how I know for a fact that I'm an alien. But..I guess being one isn't so bad.

Its December 21st. I look out of my classroom window to see that traffic is as heavy than ever before, and since Christmas is only 4 days away, well...I'm just glad I've got my holiday shopping over with already- or so I thought. I decided to go to my favorite place in the world, right after this slow ass bell rings for dismissal. These classmates of mine are starting to get on my nerves.
"I don't have an afro, I have hair!" One girl said, which made me turn around and stare at her. What in the world..? I think to myself. Everyone then laughs at her remark, even the teacher. After the laughter died down, I start to copy my last set of notes from the board, then put my things back in my bag. Since our teacher is chill, she let us take out our phones. Being that my friend Tori leaves a period before, I start to text her.
Me: Hey Tori, R u on the bus?
Tori: No, I'm already home. Did you leave class yet?
Me: Nope (¬_¬)ﾉ
Tori: And I bet you're going to the Island again, arent you?
Me: You already know ;)

Oh, just thinking about the Island make me squeal with excitement. The corners of my lips curved into a smile, and I started hugging my schoolbag. Before I knew it, the loud bell rings and immediately people flood through the exit. FINALLY. School is over. I take my time getting out of the class, because I didn't want to get caught up with all the chaos. Scanning the room for the last time, I noticed I wasn't the only one. Towards the back, I see Frank and Mason, two guys that I unfortunately know from Middle School. Nothing wrong on their part, It's just awkward associating with them. It seems like they were discussing something while they were looking at me, but I just shrugged it off and made my way out of the door.

As soon as I took one step outside, a gust of cold wind slaps my face. Oh great, I didn't know it would be this cold. Despite the decrease in temperature, I kept on walking. Although it was only 4:30, the sky was so dark and covered the entire bustling city. Speaking of the city, there were many rows of incandescent and LED lights across the sea of stores and businesses around the school. Hmph, when I get to C. I., it would look a hundred times better than this- magical even. As I thought of how beautiful it would be when I get there, another gust of wind came back and made me shiver, and being that I only had an oversized hoodie, I couldn't take it anymore. Looking at my surroundings, I spotted a concrete bench next to a parking lot. Walking over to it, I sat down and rested my bag to take out my earmuffs and scarf out. If I were to go home and get a coat, I'm pretty sure my parents would make me stay home. Just as I started to zip my bag back up, I spotted people walking towards me out of the corner of my eye. I didn't even have to look up to see who they were.
"What do you want?" I immediately said.
"Uh..hey Candie, It's nice to see you too!" Frank exaggerated.
"Frank, come on, we need to be nice!" Mason pleaded.
"Then, how about you ask her?"
"Ask me what?" I was really getting annoyed now.
Frank nudged Mason on his side. "So um, we were wondering if you know how to get to Roosevelt Island.." Said Mason.
Suddenly my ears perked up.
"Roosevelt Island you say?" I tried to sound uninterested.
"Yeah, since we heard there was some Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony happening there, and we kinda overheard you talking to your friend about it before."
I then gasped. How could I forget about the Ceremony today??!!! They then looked at me, confused.
"Ugh, do you know the way or not?" Frank asked.
I really wasn't in the mood to hang out with them. I mean, I just wanted to go by myself! But it is Christmas so...
"Sure, I guess I could take you guys there, but...what's in it for me?"
"The good feeling you get when you help out your friends" Frank joked.
"No Frank, we'll treat her to something while we're over there."
For some reason, I started smiling.
"Thanks Mason, but It's alright. I was just kidding." In fact, if it wasn't for Mason's kindness, I wouldn't be bothering with them
in the first place.
"Alright, so let's go then!" Frank said impatiently.

We were about halfway to C. I. when we all heard the buzzing of a phone. Frank stopped walking and took his phone out from his pocket. Mason and I looked back to stare at him, confused of what was going on. When he was finally done, he said, "Sorry guys. I have to go."
Mason's eyes widened, surprised. "Whadd'ya mean?"
Frank sighed. "I mean, I have to go home and start packing to leave for Boston tomorrow."
"Oh yeah, that's right...I almost forgot." Mason admitted.
Oh well, at least I'll be alone again.
"BUT, Mason will stay with Candie and hang out, am I right?"
Whut. Did he. Just. Say.
Mason blinked. "I am?"
He is? ಠ_ಠ
"Of course! You don't wanna leave a little girl walking by herself!"
"I am not a little girl!" I added, and put my hands on my hips.
"Are you sure about that?" Frank teased.
"Wait, do you know how to get back?" Mason asked.
"Pfft, of course I do!"
"Well alright...I'll see you later then." They gave each other a bro handshake, and Frank ran off in the opposite direction.
"So...let's get going, shall we?" Mason suggested as he finally broke silence between us.
"Right.." I put my hands in my pockets and we started walking again . Soon after, floods of different thoughts rushed through my head.
I'm alone with a boy for Christ's sake! Well, I know I've been going to the island all this time alone, but still! Why do I have to be with Mason right now? Does he still want to come with me, even though Frank left? I swear, Frank just did that intentionally, but that dosent seem like the case... Oh, swrew this! I have to get a hold of myself!
With that, I took my hands from my pockets and slapped my cheeks.
Mason must have noticed my situation, and turned to look at me.
"Are you alright?" He asked with a worried face.
"Yup, never better!" I said a second later. I then scrambled in my head to find something else to say to keep the conversation rolling.
"Hey! Um, remember middle school?" I blurted out.
Mason looked confused.
"Yeah..what about it?"
"Remember the time when Mr. Patrick took my manga while I was reading and started to look through it?"
"Oh yeah, that was funny. If I'm not mistaken, he was literally one page away from some erotic scene."
"Wait, how do you know?"
"Because I was sittng next to you and browsed through it. I thought you were perverted or something and I kept making jokes at you, remember?"
"Oh." Suddenly I felt very embarrassed.
"Well, at least he didn't flip the page!" Mason added. That made both of us laugh.

We kept telling stories of our middle school, like how we both flunked the same test, or how our homeroom teacher was whacked out and made us go through painful and cringe worthy drama classes. And before I knew it, we were at the bridge leading to C.I.

I guess this wouldn't be so bad as I thought.

A/N: I'll continue this if you guys want me to. For now, I'm not really gonna do anything, since nobody Is reading this xD
But, it would make me really happy if at at least one person likes this story... Catch ya later!