A Broken Smile

Chapter Thirteen - Jinglebells

It was that time of year. Lights filled the streets, illuminating the whole sky. Snow drifted softly to the ground and it was a magical time of year. Couples held hands, giggled, and snuggled as they happily walked down the beautiful streets. It was one of those scenes straight from the movies. Or fairytales.

For me, it was a gloomy time of year. Just another holiday I needed to get through. Yes. Christmas and New Years were around the corner. It had been several weeks since Chase had recovered. Well, recovered? Yes. Good as new? Maybe. Same ol'chase? In some ways. Back to "the norm"? No way in hell

I was sitting in a cab, getting back to the dorms. I hummed along softly as the radio blasted cheesy christmas tunes. The blur of neon buildings flew by me as I watched outside the window. I watched as the snowflakes gave the illusion of a winter wonderland. I watched small children dancing around gleefully, trying to catch every last snowflake on their tongues.

We pulled into dorm B and I eased myself out of the seat as I handed the man a fifty dollar bill.

The stout cab driver turned aroud in shock. "Miss, this is a fifty."

I smiled with the small ounce of energy I had left. "I know.", I whispered.

He tugged at his alread receding hairline. A look of confusion wiped off his dumbstruck expression.

I smiled another tight, but not real, smile. "Keep the change. Merry Christmas. I'm sure you deserve it."

I watched as the man drove away happily, meandering down the long winding road. The brisk air bit at all exposed parts of my skin and I yawned, tired from the events of today.

By then, a small pile of snow had collected on top of my wig. Making no effort whatsoever to dust it off, I ambled slowly into my dorm, taking all 5 flights of stairs up to my room.

I stared at the door. At the brass handle, not ready to handle the reason I knew I was secretly angry about. I touched the doorknob, as if it was made of fire, and retreated. I stuck my tiny key into the keyhole and mustered up the courage to gently nudge the door open.

There it was, the reason I had been in a bad mood all day. There she was in her perfect glory.

Girl number 17 since Chase's accident. It surely didn't slow him down. He had been back to his womanizing ways.

Sarah. Sarah with an "h.". She was snuggled up to chase, under a wool blanket, watching TV.

Peachy. Just peachy.

"What are you doing here?", I questioned dumbly.

"Hanging with Chase. What does it look like, Sherlock?", she rolled her brown eyes and tossed her barbie straight hair.

"She can't be here.", I motioned to Chase.

"It's fine. No one cares this time of year...Except for you.", She flipped her hair once more. Fake blonde for sure.

Chase glanced up. "Maybe you should go Sarah. It's getting late and Ms.Brixon does like to come around a lot at this hour. She'll probably bust you for being in my dorm."

"But I don't want to.", Sarah pouted, tugging at the button of Chase's shirt.

I quickly detected a flash of neon pink. Her bra. Of course.

"Sarah, I'll call you tomorrow.", He guided her hand off, but she respodned by running her other perfectly manicured hand back up his leg.

I heard a small regretful groan as he pushed her off. I chuckled softly as he ushered her to the door.

"Something your laughing at?", She whipped her head around, narrowing her eyes.

"Nothing at all."

"Bye Chase. Call me.", she smiled fakely  and flounced out of our room.

Chase shut the door and sat back down in bed.

I shut off the TV and plopped myself down next to him.

"I don't remember telling you that you could sit there.", Chase stared pointedly at me

I smiled. "I don't remember you telling me I couldn't."

"Get."

"Off?", a part of me was hurt.

"Yes.", Chase blinked and looked away.

Yep, he still hated me. I was always just going to be that neurotic, obsessive, girl-man that he was stuck with as his roommate, from now on.

I got off his bed slowly and began walking back to my side of the room, hating myself for letting him get in that car to go skiing in the first things. Things could've been fine. Instead, he hated me.

"Wait.", He cleared his throat.

"What.", I snapped. At the time, I had also had some resentment stored inside of me.

"Why have I  never seen you as a real girl?", a look of amusement crossed his eyes.

"Cause' you're a dick.", I responded simply.

"Easy there, tiger.", He looked taken aback.

"You're a dick and you don't deserve shit.",

"Wait I'm so-"

I rolled out the wall that split our rooms up and slammed it into place.

My breaths became heavy and unsteady as I steadied my rapidly-beating heart. I took in some easy breaths as I clutched onto the wall.

He was so on and off. Sometimes it almost seemed like he was decent. Other times, I could throw him off a plane. And from that moment on, I made another vow to myself. Never, ever, give him another chance.

I wasn't sure what was going on, but I was sure of it. I hated him. And I wasn't exactly sure how i'd get through Christmas and New years with him around, but I knew I'd find away.

Things were going to start to change around here. No more nice girl.

~~~

->AN: REAAAADDDDD MEEEEEEEEEEEE. THANK YOU FOR SO MUCH SUPPORT! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANKYOU. FOR THANKSGIVING? IM THANKFUL FOR ALL THE WONDERFUL THINGS YOU GUYS MAKE ME FEEL. I KEPT GETTIN MESSAGES TELLIN ME TO WRITE, SO HERE I AM! SCHOOL SUCKS BUT TURNS OUT I'M DOIN REALLY WELL AND MY GPAS PRETTY UP THERE FOR NOW(:. BUUUTTT, I'M BACK AND I'LL BE WRITIN A LOT NOW! UNTIL NEXT TIME, 6 VOTES, AT LEAST 80 VIEWS-ish, 7 COMMENTS. I DON'T LIKE DOING THAT, IT'S KIDNA JUST TO BUY ME TIME! THANKS AGAIN I LOVE YOU ALL AND I'LL SEE YOU IN A FEW DAYS!(:(: XO -L