Colorful (H.S) | ✔️

21

When morning rolls around, I feel dead. I'm just glad to be leaving this stupid town and the stupid people. 

My mom peeps into my room, "Hey, Santa left a present for you here! Come out quickly!"

I roll my eyes. I'm 18 and my mom still thinks I believe in Santa. I go with it anyway, because I can't break her heart. 

When I get ready and go into the living room, Lily is already chilling on the couch. My mom hands each of us a gift-wrapped package with the tag saying it's from Santa. Lily and I give each other a look, then proceed to open it.

"OMG, mom! It's awesome! Thank you!" Lily screams and pulls my mom into a hug. I peer over and see that it's airpods. Of course. Lily has been wanting a pair for a while. 

I continue to open mine. There's a plain box. When I open that, tears fill my eyes.

It's a gold pendant with the letter A engraved in it, along with my birthstone. 

"Your father had made that for you when you were born. I was supposed to give it to you on your 18th birthday, but I couldn't bring myself to open the box." Her smile is sad, yet comforting at the same time.

"Thanks mom," I whisper, squeezing her into a tight hug. She helps me put it on and I admire it in the mirror.

"Wait, guys look outside!" Lily says excitedly. My mom and I rush to the window to see snow! Real snow is falling from the sky!

We all run outside quickly and see the thick sheet of white on the floor.

It's really a Christmas miracle.

We play around, throw snowballs and take lots of pictures. Lily forces me to take millions of boomerangs of her. 

My mom calls us inside to help pack the car. We obliged, sad that our playtime is over. 

As the last things are being packed, Clyde walks up to our cabin. 

"Hey... can we talk?" He asks softly.

Lily looks over to me to make sure I'm okay. I nod and she shuffles inside.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be such an ass. I'm just shocked that you already have a soulmate." He explains himself. "I just... it's not fair. How come everyone gets one except me?"

I shrug, not knowing the answer. He probably expects pity, but I can't. Especially not after the way he acted last night. 

"You're telling me you don't feel anything? Nothing after that kiss? Your heart doesn't beat when I'm near?" He asks, stepping closer after each question. "Your heart isn't beating fast right now?"

I take a step back. "You know Clyde, if I truly was your soulmate, you would never act that way. You need to get your life together. Now, get out of here before I punch you in the face." 

He puts his hands up in surrender. "Okay. I'm leaving. Oh, here's your blanket from last night." He hands me the purple throw, neatly folded.

He then turns around and leaves. He looks back at me once more before disappearing into the white forest. 

Just on cue, my mom and sister walk out. Lily seems hesitant, but my mom acts like nothing is wrong.  

"Baby go check your room one last time. I'm not coming back if you forget something." My mom says as she finishes loading the car.

I do as she says and run a last lap around the cabin. We seem to have gotten everything.

Once I give the all clear, I hop into our car. Lily declares that she's going to be listening with her new headphones and to not disturb her.