About an hour later, Calypso was in her car, heading to Golden Spruce Christmas Tree Farm. She had about a thirty-minute drive ahead of her, thirty minutes alone with her thoughts. So instead, she filled the empty space with music.
"When Rome's in ruins, We are the lions, Free of the coliseums, In poisoned places, We are anti-venom, We're the beginning of the end-" The voice sang. Calypso sipped her coffee. It wasn't the same as the ones that Phil would make for her. It was a brisk day and her dad's truck wasn't the warmest thing, either.
"So light 'em up up up, Light 'em up up up, I'm on Fire!" She sang along, glad she could get lost in the music rather than negative thoughts. She was wearing the grey scarf that Ravi had given her and it still smelled like raspberries.
As she pulled into the parking lot at Golden Spruce, she was met with a friendly face.
"Hey Jason! Hi Eden!" Calypso called to her high school friends as she stepped out of the truck. They both leaned on the red main building.
"Hey Cal!" Eden said cheerily. Her short hair was swept to the left and her glasses looked a little bit big on her face, as they always did.
"How's college?" all three of them asked in unison.
"Great. Photo classes are good, liberal arts are kinda boring, but that was to be expected," Calypso said with a giggle. "You?"
"Well, I'm not going to college, but life here is fine. Eden and I are working here during break." Jason said warmly.
"Well I am going to college." Eden said as she jabbed her elbow into Jason's side. "And things are amazing. My roommate is insane. The band is doing great now that I'm learning new techniques at school, I mean, we get less practise in but school is totally worth it," she continued. Her grey-blue eyes shimmered with excitement.
"So, how's Aiden doing? One of you must know what he's up to these days." Calypso asked.
"Oh. Oh Cal, he didn't tell you?" Jason said comfortingly.
"Tell me what?" Calypso prodded.
"Well. He's going out with Penny Greenfield," Eden sighed. Calypso stood shocked for a minute. He never even showed any interest in anyone but her. Calypso couldn't believe it.
"You know what?" Calypso perked up, straightening her posture and puffing her chest. "He was a pretty crappy boyfriend. I don't need him, and I never did. If anything, he needed me to help him pass Honors English. Besides, I think I've found a new guy."
"Wow. You're taking this better than I thought," Jason said. "We should get to work before the boss finds out we're standing around talking."
"Right. Will you guys help me get the perfect tree?" Calypso said as she rubbed her hands together.
About an hour or so later, Calypso was pulling into the driveway at home, ready to unload the little balsam fir that was in the back. After she got it into the living room, she ventured into the attic to find the decorations. She played a music playlist titled "Christmas" on her phone, but some of her other non-festive songs had leaked through. For instance, she found herself dancing around and singing to Nearly Witches. With each bauble that she hung on the tree, the room was brightened in spirit. That night she cooked dinner. Her dad complimented her on the chicken.
***
Christmas day wasn't the same without her dad. Well, he was there, but just not as there as he always was. Calypso tried to keep things cheery. Calypso and her father opened Christmas crackers, a British tradition which came to their family because of her mother's English descent.
"What did the sea say to Santa?" Calypso read from the little slip of paper. She placed a red paper crown on her father's head.
"I don't know. What did the sea say to Santa?" he asked. He had a broad grin on his face. This lifted Calypso's spirits. He won't let anything ruin Christmas for us, she thought.
"Well, the sea said nothing. It just waved," She replied.
"These jokes get worse every year," her dad said.
"Yeah. I like this one though. It's rather stupid, but I still like it," Calypso said. She was wearing a yellow paper crown. When the light shone through it, it gave her a glowing, halo-like appearance. They sat together on the sofa watching Christmas movies. Later that night after her father had gone to bed, Calypso built up a warm fire in the fireplace and curled up with a huge quilt, a cup of tea, and her favourite book. She pulled out her phone and texted Ravi.
Murry Chrismiss! it read. She attached a photo of a silly looking Christmas cookie whose eyes were crossed and boggled. Send. Moments later she heard her phone chime.
That one's a keeper. You need to use it for class, the text from Ravi said.
Lol obviously. I saw Brooke today. Mega ignoration on her part. She barely even looked at me
You okay? You seem kinda upset
Yeah. I'm fine, Calypso lied
No, you're not. Just tell me what's going on
Well, I am fine. But Dad's not. He's got lung cancer. It's pretty bad.
Cal. I am so sorry. Anything I can do for you?
Nah
Well if there is, please tell me
Keep talking
Okay. I'm no therapist but olay
Olay?
*Okay
It's like a Mexican version of The Fault in Our Stars. Olay?
Olay.
We're so stupid
Correction: You're stupid
But I'm your stupid
Shut up
I love you, the next text read. Calypso was a little shocked at first.
I know she typed back.
CALYPSO THIS IS NOT STAR WARS. I JUST CONFESS MY LOVE TO YOU AND YOU RESPOND WITH A STAR WARS QUOTE? ARE YOU KIDDING ME?
First, you just confessed your love in a text message. You were asking for it, ya cheesy weirdo. Second, what do you expect from someone like me?
Nothing less.
Olay?
Olay.
We're so stupid
I love our stupid
Our stupid loves you
Same
We have a special kind of stupid
Yeah
YOU ARE READING
Too Close
General Fiction"Carry on, let the good times roll Sail along, let your path unfold It won't be long, won't be long, won't be long You know it's gonna get better, you know it's gonna get better" 1st draft written by me, edited by @HannahKayMusic :)
