Christmas Wish

Walking down the road, I tighten my coat around me. I hate this place. Not just Yakima, but the whole country. People and their absurd beliefs and traditions and every bit of it. It irritates me. Then there's the high school traditions... The white-washing. Making out in the hallway, using the mistletoe as an excuse. The parties. All of it. And it's probably my hatred of everything that has made my life so lonely and friend-free. Oh well.

A flurry of snow suddenly hits me in the face. I pull my hood down to shield my eyes. Ugh. Did I mention I hate this time of year? It sickens me. All this trouble just to go get the groceries.

As I enter the store, I immediately want to leave.  Joyous Christmas music is playing through the speakers. There is green and red all over the place. Santa hats are worn by the employees. Everyone is smiling and has Egg Nog in their carts. All of that. I want to leave so badly, but I have to go on and get bread and milk.

As quickly as possible, I get all the groceries and walk to the express check-out. The checker asks me to donate to a bunch of charities. I donate five dollars to a charity for kids to get an education, take my bags, and get out of there as quickly as possible.

But when I get out the door, a tall teenage boy gets in my way. I try to step past him, but he gets in my way again. I move again and slip on some ice, falling onto my back.

The boy offers his hand to help me up, his expression apologetic, but I wave him off, trying to catch my breath. He doesn't move. I finally can breathe properly and take his hand. He pulls me up to my feet and hands me my groceries.

"Sorry about that," he says quietly.

"It's fine. Whatever. Thanks, all that," I say, embarrassed and more than slightly irritated.

"Hope your day gets better," he says, not changing his volume.

"Thanks." I walk away quickly, a little more carefully now, getting home as quickly as possible.

As I put the bags on the counter, I hear Mom start yelling at Jordan. I immediately run upstairs, away from the loud arguing that I can never stand to hear.