Modern Day Santa Claus

MDSC [24]

Chapter 24

"Here you go, kids." Pauline placed a tray of fresh, hot muffins down on the kitchen table. Jae, in a full-blown conversation with her friend, Maggie, paused for a moment to grab a muffin and unwrap it. She immediately recoiled from the burning sensation from the fresh-from-the-oven muffin.

Fanning her hand, she stated, "Mom, you didn't warn me it's hot! Also, we're not kids. We're going to college!" Jae blew air on her hand, cooling off the sting.

Margaret took one of the muffins and placed it back down. "Yup, it's hot."

"I told you!" Jae responded as she shot her a look. Jae glanced down on the scattered papers and reviewers on the table. It was a bright day on a Saturday. It was Jae's idea to invite Maggie and Sam over so they could all review for the entrance examinations for various colleges. Sure, Jae already wanted a college in mind but there's nothing wrong in having backup schools.

It was already past lunch yet Sam still hasn't arrived yet. "Where is that freak?" Maggie asked aloud, "He's not usually late for meetings."

"Don't worry, we can still continue." Jae opened her notes on formulas for Mathematics. She has been solving word problems since this morning. She hasn't progressed that much especially since Sam still wasn't here to teach her. She glimpsed at her phone, hoping there was a text message from him but there was none.

On the other hand, Margaret has been doing pretty well by herself. She already knows the basics and knows what subjects to study for.

Almost an hour after their short break, their doorbell rang. Jae was too occupied by her papers that she didn't bother to get the door. A little while later, Sam stepped into their kitchen. Jae made eye contact with him, "Hey, Sam. We already started without you."

Sam nodded silently as he took the seat beside Jae. Maggie made no move to acknowledge the newcomer and was focused on her reviewers.

His eye had been completely healed since it first appeared last month which was good news. The bad news was it felt like something's different from him. He's completely aloof. Jae made a move to touch him and ask if something was wrong but he withdrew from her touch like when Jae was burned by the muffin. Jae was the muffin. She wanted to ask him but it was as if there was something lodged in her throat.

Their first review day was uneventful, to say the least. Margaret hasn't talked since Sam came. Sam was immersed in his own papers and didn't spare Jae a glance. It was inconsequential but it made Jae feel small. She was so small and powerless.

Once it hit 5 p.m., her two friends left their house. Margaret said her goodbyes but Sam only gave her a look of guilt before heading to the streets. Jae closed the door with a sigh. She trudged towards the kitchen to get her things and relocate to her room.

Her mom was in the middle of cleaning the oven. "Don't you think Sam's quiet today?" Pauline brought up. She acted busy enough without being too worried.

"Sam's always quiet, mom," Jae sighed.

"I might suggest reaching out first, Camilla Jae," her mother hummed.

Jae frowned. Why does she have to reach out first? "If Sam wants to talk about something, he will." She stomped out of the kitchen, a bit irritated, as she carried her things out. When she entered her room, she placed down her papers on a nearby desk before throwing herself to her bed.

Sam was probably just having one of his bad days. He's gonna be fine.

Jae's attention became focused on her gold-chained bracelet. "I wonder how you're doing, Skye," she muttered under her breath. She closed her eyes and sleep slowly overtook her.