𝗵𝗶𝗿𝗮𝗲𝘁𝗵 ;; 𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘁𝘀

🌲Christmas Night🌲

The sound of teeth clattering filled the chilly air around me as I shivered uncontrollably. I rubbed my palms together in a futile attempt to warm myself up. All I had was an old and worn out blanket draped around my shoulders. Specks of pure white snow descended gracefully from the heavens above, landing among the millions of them covering the walkway. Footprints were imprinted on the thick layer of snow as I sauntered aimlessly around the streets. Trees stood tall above the earth, their branches lifeless for winter had taken every last drop of life from the once brilliant green leaves.

That day was Christmas night. A day when families got together to celebrate. A day where the air was always filled with joyful chatter. Yet there I was, shivering from the frigid cold as I wandered helplessly. I froze in my tracks as I stopped before a glass window. Inside the house was a family. Bright smiles crossed their faces as they conversed with one another, the atmosphere bright and bubbly. A sigh slipped past my parted lips, turning into fog as it met the air as I gazed longingly at the family. Layed out on their table was a feast. They had chicken, turkey, salad, potatoes, you name it. All I wanted to do was to sink my teeth into the seemingly unbelievably tender meat and savour every taste that came to my tongue. How I wish I was like that. How I wish I got to celebrate Christmas night with warm meals and close friends and family.

My parents had died in a tragic car accident, leaving me to fend for myself at an early age. I had no home to go back to, and no one to call family. I longed to be like those people I see. Yet all I could do on this night full of joy was to walk weakly around the town, gazing enviously at passing families. Festive lights hung at every corner. It was almost as though they were mocking me. Mocking me for not having a family. Mocking me for not being able to celebrate Christmas like everyone else. The way the bright colours gleamed at me was weirdly infuriating.

"Hey girl! Shoo! Filthy beggar..." An unpleasant voice snapped me out of my daze. My head shot up, eyes landing on a plump man. His eyes were gleaming with anger and disgust as he scowled at me through the window that he had opened. I swallowed a lump in my throat before turning and scampering away, for I wanted nothing to do with the situation.

After a while, I made it quite a few houses away from the family. "Hey, girl," another voice called. This time, it was different. It sounded more gentle and caring, filled with sympathy, even. Hearing this made my heart throb. I glanced up, my eyes meeting a pair of chocolate brown ones. Standing before me was a man. He wore tattered clothes that looked worn out. His face was painted with an unreadable expression. Unreadable to me, anyway. Just then, a gust of harsh wind blew over the both of us, sending shivers traversing down my spine. The man visibly shivered. I glanced at him, concerned.

"Here," his voice was unwavering as he spoke, despite the frigid cold. He tossed a small box towards me, which I swiftly caught. The box was tied with a string of red satin. I stared at it warily.

"That's half of all the money I have. Make good use of it," the man instructed. Without another pause, I swiftly untied the satin and opened the box. Laying inside it was a ten dollar note. I had never seen one in my life! I gasped as shocked washed over me like a tsunami. My heart raced as hot tears stung my eyes. I sniffed, trying my hardest not to let them pour down my cheeks. If this man used all his money, he could have bought a relatively big meal. However, he chose to buy only a simple meal, just to give some money to me - a complete stranger!

Although ten dollars wasn't much, it meant so, so much to me. My mouth felt dry and my throat felt like it was blocked. "T-thank you...s-so much..." Was all I managed to muster after I found my voice once again. I had so many words to say, so many thanks to give, but that was all I could manage. The man smiled and nodded. "You're welcome," he replied simply.

At that moment, tears uncontrollably streamed down my cheeks as I was suddenly overwhelmed with all sorts of emotions. Bliss, gratitude, shock, I was unable to even tell them apart. All I could focus on was the way my heart pounded against my chest, and the way all my limbs were shaking and weak. Inside my heart was an array of colours. Yellow for joy, pink for bliss, red for the pure intensity that surged through my veins, and so much more. My cheeks felt hot as I tried desparately to stop the tears.

At that moment, it felt as though time had stopped. If the earth had been spinning, it stopped. If the specks of snow were falling, they froze in place. It was just the both of us. Mere words could not express the overwhelming gratitude I held for the man. I couldn't say anything, for I felt as though my throat had stopped working. All I could do was smile. Smile through the pouring tears. Smile and hope he understood what I meant.

Thank you, kind soul...

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✎ᝰ┆*Kicks door open*

Guess who hasn't updated in like a month?!

And guess who's back?!

Guess who finished writing this in like an hour?!

Hell yeah, it's me :)