Christmas carols blared in my room while I studied on my computer. I was finishing up last minute assignments for my history class before winter break. I was in my second year at Western Oregon University and I decided to take the first two years online. College was tough, not gonna lie. But there wasn't any crowded hallways like in high school. Or at my house. I also got a job at a pet store but they were closed for the whole holiday break. No pet bathing, classes or assignment copying for two whole weeks. The bad news? My friend Vee was coming over.
I'm kidding, I was psyched to have her for the holidays. She got in to Western too and we helped each other with the work. It saves to have a pal with you in college. "Happy holidays roomie," she said slipping into my room and sticking a wreath around my neck.
"What are you doing?" I asked.
"Spreading the Christmas spirit."
"You better watch where you're standing, you're spreading Christmas spirit right into a trap." I glanced up and she followed my gaze. A piece of mistletoe hung from the ceiling.
"Oh no, you're not getting me," Vee said backing up.
"Come now, give us a kiss," I said grabbing her and pretending to kiss her.
"Get off me sicko," she said. "Why do you even have that in here?"
"You put it in here. You wanted someone to come in here and sweep me off my feet." She shrugged.
"Could happen. After all, you did go back in time." I closed my laptop.
"That was two years ago."
"So? Maybe you'll go back. Maybe you'll spend Christmas with them and catch a special someone under the mistletoe."
"Not happening. They wouldn't even remember me anyway."
"Of course they would. You told me yourself how much they liked you, especially that special someone."
"Time traveling once was fine. I think it's time I left well enough alone." Not like I can control it.
"Fine fine." She removed my wreath. "I'll be taking my Christmas cheer somewhere else then." She left and I rolled my eyes.
I sat by the fire that night in deep thought. What if Vee was right? What if I saw the band again? Margaret? Malcolm? Angus? What if they didn't even remember me? Or they wanted nothing to do with me? After all, I hardly said goodbye to them on the night of my leave. That night. The flames danced around the wood making me sleepy. I began to feel hot. Really hot as if I was being swallowed by the fire. But I fell asleep on the floor before I could do anything about it.
