Last Christmas

❅ chapter one ❅

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 Phoenix Motel

Alcove City

December 13, 2006

Arthur Moraine grumbles whilst squatting down to retrieve his key that slipped from his grasp. "Stupid key," he mutters gruffly and shoves the metal key in the rusty keyhole. It is cold out and the door that resist to budge only adds up to his agitation. He resort to pushing himself against the door in hopes for it to budge open.

No matter how hard he tries, it remains shut. Arthur kicks at the door, frustration bubbling up inside him. His therapist has told him countless times during their sessions to control his anger but at that moment he could not give another shit at Melissa's words.

Shoving his hand in the pocket of his dark blue coat and retrieving his cigarette packet, Arthur slips it open and pulls one out; shoving it into his dry lips. He hears the hinge of the neighbour's door creak and turns to look. Standing out in the cold, directly outside of Dan's motel room, is a girl wrapped up in a stained blue dolphin robe.

"Is everything alright?" she asks and her brow furrows. With the cigarette still in his mouth, Arthur nods and mumbles words the girl can't understand. She steps closer but retreats back to the red mat when her bare feet hits the cold concrete floor.

Arthur gestures to his door before lighting up his cigarette. She tiptoes to the door, wary of the cold creeping up her toes and tries the door but equally fails. "Dad will fix it. But I'm sure he'll be upset we disturbed him from his basketball game," she says and smiles but Arthur ignores it and blow out a stream of smoke.

* * *

"That'll do it!" Daniel Goodsby says as he tries to stand. "Don't shut it too hard or it'll get stuck again," Dan says raising his eyebrows, referring to Arthur's issues. Dan has learned about Arthur's state from the days he's seen Arthur slamming the door with a deep scowl etched on his face.

"Thanks," Arthur says curtly, blowing out the last of his cigarette before stepping on it. Dan picks up his tool box and starts to leave after patting Arthur on the back.

Pushing the fixed door open, Arthur smiles a small smile, grateful that he can now open it with ease. He is close to shutting the door when he realises that the girl is still standing outside his motel room, leaning against the chipped wooden pillar with her hand on her left upper arm. She blinks, twice, and smiles softly, realising she has been caught staring at him.

"I'm sorry. I tend to stare at people and sometimes it gets out of hand and make me look like a creep but I assure you that I am just a normal person," she rambles then fold her lips, realising what she has said.

Arthur simply stare at her. He's the kind who would rather listen than talk because it would be so much better to nod and never contribute to saying anything. He has one hand on the door edge and the other in his coat pocket, itching to smoke another cigarette even though he had one not long ago.

"Lilly Goodsby," she introduce and brought out a hand, expecting a handshake but Arthur just gives it one look before his eyes flit back to her face.

His foot starts tapping on the musty carpeted floor. It's a habit Arthur has been doing continuously whenever he loses his patience. "Is there anything else Lilly?" Arthur narrows his eyes at her and for a moment Lilly felt scrutinized under his gaze.

"N-no, sorry," Lilly mumbles and tucks her cold hands in the pockets of her robe before retreating back to her room, feeling a little guilty for disturbing Arthur who doesn't seem to enjoy her presence at all.

Arthur watches her retreating figure and sighs, dragging a hand down his face. He continues to stare out in the dark. Christmas hasn't approached just yet but decorations were put out around the motel by perhaps Dan's family. He hates it. The very thought of people smiling and decorating trees and knocking on your door and singing carols make him sick. He doesn't understand what could be fun at the thought of Christmas.

"I hate this," Arthur mumbles to himself as he creases his eyebrows. It is close to one and Arthur shuts the door before reclining on the old green couch. CSI is on, he'd rather see murder than experience Christmas.

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dedicated to @espurrr for the lovely cover and for being my very best friend, as well as helping me with editing the story so it wouldn't suck.

ya'll should read and follow her ^^