Modern Day Santa Claus

MDSC [8]

Chapter 8

When class with Sir Wynter finally ended, Jae was too enthusiastic to leave. Skye bothered her for the rest of the class and she didn't have a clue about what the new teacher talked about the whole time. She waved to Maggie for a second before turning around and left.

She heard Skye's footsteps behind her. She walked faster without turning around. And then—

"Ow!" she exclaimed when she suddenly bumped into someone in front of her. And that someone was Skye. Panicking, Jae surveyed her surroundings before glaring at Skye. "What the hell are you doing? You shouldn't teleport in public!"

Skye smirked. "There's no one here Jae. I know the rules. I know I shouldn't teleport in public."

"Yes, exactly! If anyone finds out that you can, you'd be torn in half right now as they examined your body."

Skye's eyes sparked as he raised both of his eyebrows. "That... is a very creative way of saying 'be careful'."

Jae shook her head, "Plus, you were bothering me too much that I couldn't hear what the new teacher was saying!"

Skye shrugged as he inserted both of his hands inside the pockets of his hooded jacket. "Who wants to hear what that old man has to say?"

"Obviously me, dumbass. I need to learn!" Jae said, unflinching. And when she realized what she said, she pursed her lips.

"Dumbass?" Skye repeated as a darker glint flashed in his eyes.

Jae, in a panic, suddenly found Sam standing a few meters behind Skye and said, "Whoops! There goes my ride. See you next time, Santa!" she said a little too quickly and then rushed towards Sam without even waiting for Skye to utter a word.

Sam was sizing up Skye when she neared him. He narrowed his eyes at the gray-haired boy and then gazed at Jae. "You done with your classes?" he asked.

Jae grabbed Sam's sweater sleeve and pulled him away from Santa Claus and onto the parking lot. "Yes! I thought you were going to treat me today? Let's go, let's go!" Sam didn't argue until they reached his parked car. His car was definitely not new and definitely not expensive. But it was comfortable enough that he agreed to take Jae home when he can.

Sam wordlessly opened the car with his keys. He watched as Jae looked around first, probably for that gray-haired guy, until she opened the shotgun door and entered. Sam followed suit and closed the door. The silence was not unusual between the two of them, but Sam was struggling for words this time. He silently inserted the key into the keyhole and started the engine, the heater blowing out hot air.

Jae placed her hands in front of the heater as rubbed them together, sighing in relief. "It's so gods-damned cold today."

"Where do you want to go?" Sam asked as he pulled out of the parking lot.

"Wait! Actually, we still have lasagna back home. We can reheat it if you'd like. My mom makes the best lasagna," Jae said as she stared out the window, still looking back at their school. She can see Skye standing far away and he waved once before disappearing out of her sight. Jae sighed.

Sam glanced at her before saying, "It would be an honor to finally taste the best lasagna."

Jae looked at him with a grin. "Yeah. You'll love it."

Sam caught sight of the Christmas accessories she wore on her wrists. And suddenly, his mood turned gloomy. "Christmas was over ages ago," he said, his voice sounding hollow.

Jae gazed at the watch and the bracelet on her wrist and then hid them behind her bag. "O-oh. They were gifts from a friend." Jae heard the difference in his voice. She couldn't help but feel worried but she was too scared to point it out.