Forbidden

Chapter 25

Chapter 25

I look at myself in the mirror. Try to remember how much happier I looked before I moved here. Attempt to look that happy. Fail miserably.

Everything seems to be falling apart. My dad was sent out last second yesterday to go to a meeting in West Virginia. He was supposed to be back late last night but it snowed for hours and hours and he called saying that the roads were blocked. It was too dangerous to drive on them and my mom called Joshua making sure he didn't even attempt to drive here in this weather.

It's Christmas Eve and my family is gone.

I shake my head at my reflection and head down the stairs. I put on a scarf and gloves and walk out the door. My mom was too busy calculating costs for her shop to want to go with me. She said I could use her car though. Yeah, thanks mom.

I drive to the tree farm and park. It's completely dark outside except for the all of the beautiful lights on each of the Christmas trees. I shut my car door and lock it, shoving the keys in my jeans pocket.

People are everywhere, smiling and laughing, drinking free hot chocolate. There's food inside but I don't go in. I stay out and walk around. I look at each tree and stare at the decorations and lights that are on them. Each one is different, unique, beautiful.

As I get to the second to last row of trees, something immediately catches my eye. A tree, not decorated or lit up in the middle, my tree. I make my way over to the tree and walk up to it. I flip the paper attached to it over and read my family's name. Everyone will know that this is my family's tree. The only tree that isn't decorated.

I sit down on the bench and stare directly at the empty tree. A tear slides down my cheek and I bury my face in my hands.

I don't even notice when someone sits down next to me. An arm wraps around my shoulder and pulls me closer. "Hey," it's Nathan's voice. "What's wrong?" he asks quietly.

I shake my head and rest my head on his shoulder. "Everything's falling apart. My brother can't make it tomorrow, my dad's out on business and can't get home, and my mom is obsessing over her stupid store!"

The words are hard to get out and it's difficult to breath. "Shh," Nathan says rocking me back and forth.

We sit there for a long time until the tears stop coming.

"Hey," he says and I peek at him. "I wanna show you something."

I'm reluctant to move at first but he grabs my hand and pulls me up off the bench. We walk to the very back row and stop when we get to the biggest Christmas tree I've ever seen.

It's beautifully decorated and for some reason it makes me want to start crying again, but in a good way.

"Whose tree is this?" I ask.

Nathan smiles. "Mine. I don't know how we manage it but every year my family always gets the biggest tree. We spend hours here out in the cold, decorating it." He laughs and stares up at the bright star on the top of the tree. "I have no idea why but being out here in the freezing cold all bundled up, decorating a tree we need a ladder to reach, is the only thing I look forward to every year."

I stare at him. I look at the smile on his lips as he continues to look at his tree. The lights on the tree make him look even more handsome as they shine on him.

He catches me staring and gets shy. I can see him swallow and he pulls something out of his coat pocket. It's in a black rectangular little box and he holds it out to me. "I got you something."

My mouth opens and I look at him. I hold the box and open it. I gasp, "Oh my gosh, Nathan. It's beautiful," I say looking at the amazing necklace in my hands.