Christmas Romance

     The snow swirled around the quiet streets. The tall pine trees danced in the frozen winds. Claire Evelyn Vaun made her way to her favorite little diner. She burst through the diner's red doors and was immediately met with a rush of warm air and the scent of cinnamon. She smiled at her favorite cook in the entire world.

  "Hey Joan, what's today's specials?"

   "Today's specials are hot chocolate, hot soups such as; chicken noodle, potato, and tomato. Oh and hot pie," Joan Carter, the owner of the diner, laughed.

   "Lots of hot stuff! I wonder why."

   Joan shook her head and brushed the snow off of Claire's head. "Claire honey, why are you out walking in this weather?"

    "Oh Jo, you know I love the snow! And, who would help you out if I stayed home?"

    "Claire, you're a 16 year old girl. You should be spending your vacation with your friends. Not helping me with my diner."

      Claire threw her gloved hands on the counter, a huge grin spreading across her cold, rosy red face. "Why would I do that when I have so much more fun here? Jo, you know that you're like a second mother to me! Plus, Sarah and Kate are out of town, who would I hang out with? My snowmen friends?"

        Joan laughed and threw Claire her apron. Claire quickly unbuttoned her black coat, tied her apron around her, and walked behind the counter. She was busy making a pot of coffee when the bell above the door jingled. She turned around, her ever present smile glowing on her face.

    "Hi, welcome to Joan's Diner, how can I help you?"

   "Hey Claire, I'd like a hot cup of coffee please," George Hale mumbled from behind his scarf.

   "Sure thing Mr. Hale. The booth underneath the heater is all warmed up."

   "Thanks Claire," he replied as he shuffled over to the warmer area.

  She had just finished pouring his cup when the bell went off again. When she turned around this time her smile was gone. Tyler Speck, her ex-boyfriend, was standing at the counter wearing a smug smile.

    "What do you want Tyler?" Anger was in every word she said. She was utterly in love with him when they were dating. Then one day he turned into a giant ball of jerk. He broke up with her but hasn't stopped stalking her and making her day suck. 

       "Well I need your help with something," his voice hinted it was nothing good. 

      "I'm busy. And I don't like you," she said as she walked over to give Mr. Hale his coffee.

     Tyler chased after her. She ignored his pleading as she placed the coffee on the table and asked if Mr. Hale needed anything else. She continued to ignore him as she walked back to the counter.

    "Please Claire, just give me a second, that's all I ask."

    She turned around and looked into his dark brown eyes. He knew her resolve was weakening. She gave a heavy sigh. "You have one minute."

   "Okay thanks. So I have this problem. Taylor Briors won't go out with me, so I propose that you go out with me for a week or two to make her jealous. What do you say?"

   Claire's anger was boiling over. She had the coffee pot in her hand. She imagined herself pouring the scalding hot liquid all over his pompous head. Instead, she smiled. 

  "Get out of here and don't ever talk to me again you idiotic, self-centered, jerk."

  "Whoa babe, no need to get touchy. I was going anyways."