Last Christmas

Chapter 1. Kassie

Today is my first day as Santa's Elf at the mall. I was desperate for a job and my friend Hannah told me that they were looking for "Elves" for Santa's village. Most of the people that worked as the elves were mostly men, I was one of just two girls that will be working there.
My interview consisted of asking me Christmas questions, like "what does Christmas mean to you?" And "Do you believe in Santa?" They really asked me that, and in order to get the job I said yes. As soon as they hired me for the job they got me my 'Elf costume' and it was a little small, but I managed to fit.
Since today is my first day, I got up by seven to get ready. I turned the light on to my tiny bathroom in my apartment, and looked at myself in the mirror. My hair was all over the place, so I brushed it out and put it in a single braid. Though it isn't required, I made myself look for Elvish by putting a little bit of shimmering glitter on my cheeks. Might as well look the part, right? You want kids to believe that you're an elf and believe that it's really Santa.
As soon as I got finished, I took my phone and texted Hannah.
Me: "Getting ready to go!"
I waited a few minutes to see if she would text back, she's most likely at the hospital already for her shift. While I'm waiting I get my coat and head out the door. My crappy car sits outside of my apartment building covered in snow. Great! Last thing I need is to be late for my first day as an elf. I head back for the front door to my building to grab a shovel to dig my car out of the snow.
Once I was finished I had to get the snow off my windshield, don't need to get into an accident. As I finished doing that, I noticed that Hannah texted me back.
Hannah: "Send me a pic."
I rolled my eyes, of course she wants me to send her a picture, she wants to probably show the picture to the hospital staff and make fun of me? Or maybe she'll try setting me up with one of the male nurses, again. "This is my friend Kassie, she's an elf. Isn't she adorable?!"
She would do something like that. That's the kind of friend she is, and I know she does it to be nice and wants to see me with someone, but I'm not ready to date right now. I'm not saying I can't date because I can and someday I will, but I've had my heart broken last year, last Christmas to be specific.
I met Clayton shore at the restaurant I used to work for three years ago. He was big and burly, he kinda looked like a lumberjack. Long brown hair and beautiful green eyes, I couldn't keep my eyes off of him. So when it was time to take his order I couldn't really speak to him because I was so nervous. Clayton was with a few of his friends, and I could tell they were talking about him and they were encouraging him to talk to me.
Before I knew it, he came up to me and asked for my number. For some reason I wasn't able to process his words at first, so I looked like a total idiot and asked "What? I..." he smiled, man he had such a cute smile. "I was just wondering if I could have your number?" This just made me feel more nervous, "Why?" Was all I could ask. Another smile from him, "It's just that I think you're really cute, and I wanted to know if I could have your number. Maybe on a day you have off, I could call you so we could hang out."
He wanted my number, he thought that I was cute. "Umm, I would but I don't even know who you are?" "Fair. " He put his hand out for me to shake, "Clayton Shore." This time it was my turn to smile, I shook his hand. "Nice to meet you!" when he took his hand back, he looked me deep in the eyes. "I'm not trying to be a creep, honestly. I really do find you attractive and it's just..." his cheeks turned red, he was nervous too. "Clayton..." I said slowly. Clayton looked at me, "Yeah?" He really did look nervous, and I thought he looked cute that way. "I'll give you my number, and my next day off is Thursday." I took a piece of paper from the notepad and wrote down my number and I handed it to him. From that day forward my days and nights consisted of Clayton, with his beautiful eyes and amazing smile.
That is until he broke my heart last Christmas.