In Omnia Paratus (AU) - Book 2

Home again

Richard just looked at Molly and vice versa. They left the room to talk in private but I knew they wouldn't break up as Molly had a grudge against me not him. She's probably yell a bit but then forgive him.

Molly was weird, she'd be fine with me and then suddenly turn. She wasn't the jealous type either. Whenever Richard had to be there for me to do with Maisie she wouldn't be bothered at all.

Even Richard wasn't jealous around her. She went to parties without him and talked to guys endlessly at lunch instead of sitting with him but he never seemed too bothered either. If I had done that, I would of had twenty arguments with him.

I hated that Matt broke up with me like that. I felt like shit. I was crying but there was nothing I could do. I knew that there was nothing to do now. I decided I was going home a day early. But Matt brought us down so I had to ask Tom for a lift which was awkward. Then because Matt and I were leaving everyone just decided to leave that evening and go home before Christmas Eve.

My problem was that I didn't want to go home home either, I was staying at dorm until the latest moment. Anyhow Lily and I got a ride back with Tom and Lily went home that night where as I stayed behind.

Pretty much everyone went home except me. I think Richard stayed but no way was I going near him. I actually went for walk instead. It was Christmas in two days and I didn't exactly feel thrilled about it.

Christmas wasn't a big deal anymore anyway. I was too grown up and too distant from family to enjoy it.

I had Matt's Christmas presents in my dorm just sat there under my desk for months and now what? I went to the quad for some peace and quiet and settled on the bench and who did I not want to see the most? Richard, came sauntering by.

"Matt's an idiot." Richard called out. I looked up interested in what he had to say. "Yelling at you like that, breaking up in front of everybody. . .the guy's a total idiot."

"No, he's not. He's right. Everything he said. All those things about you and me, all those things about me lying to him, and messing with his head. He was right." I moped.

"He's still an idiot." Richard mumbled.

"No." I sighed. "He was right...well he was right about me anyway."

"You broke up with me 6 months ago. Not the other way around." Richard suddenly began defending himself. "This is all down to you Jen." He frowned.

"I know it is." I frowned back at him wondering where this had all come from.

"I'm still with Molly. She's not entirely happy but we love each other." That stung. "I'll always have feelings for you but I think it's best if we both move on."

"Right." I muttered. "Sure." After the other night I thought he might want to be with me again but clearly now and obviously it really was just the alcohol speaking.

"Bye Jen." He called walking off. No 'see ya later' or 'bye ace.' He was being kind which meant that this was truly it for us.

- - - - -

Of course I was angry and sad because it was Christmas Eve tomorrow and I'd just broken up with my boyfriend, but now i had to go home, and spend the evening pretending to be happy. When I'm really not. When I woke up that morning it felt horrible.

I knew how festive everything was and my Christmas shopping was done and dusted. Dad was driving up to get me and I hadn't told him we'd gotten back early.

"Jenna." Dad smiled as I opened the door.

"Hey." I smiled back at him gently. "So, presents are in the that sack and I have a suitcase with clothes. Which do you want to take?"

"I'll take whichever one will get you to tell me why you came back early and why you look sad." Dad said quickly.

"Dad." I complained. "I just want to get out of here. Let's talk in the car." I explained. But to be honest I didn't want to talk another it at all.

- - - - -

"Violet." I called walking through the door with the bag of gifts and she came rushing towards me after watching the car pull up on the drive. "Guess what I have." I hummed bending down to her height.

"I don't know." She shrugged.

"Oh you don't know? Well, I have presents." I kissed her forehead and then picked up her as she hugged me tightly.

"But Santa brings us presents." She complained.

"Well, Santa gave me list and I did some of the shopping for him." I made up on the spot hoping she won't think too much about that.

"Just like mummy and daddy!" She laughed.

"Yes, just like that. But I hope you've been a good girl otherwise there is no presents!" I exclaimed placing her down the sofa as I put the presents under the tree. I'm not sure why had brought back Matt's presents. I left Lily's and everyone else back at the dorm but took his.

"I've been a good girl." Violet said proudly sitting up straight as if changing now would make a difference.

"Good." I smiled sitting down next to her. "So what are we doing tonight hey? Watching a film? Playing a game?" I asked her.

"Daddy's picked a Christmas film but I want to play a board game." She said telling on dad to me.

"How about we play a game then watch a film before bed time?" I compromised.

"Yes!" She shrieked standing up and then proceeding to show me some new stuff I'd missed since I was last home. It was times like this that I missed being at home. But before I left there was no Violet to entertain me.