Grey Valentine

Chapter 12

“You want me to come home for Christmas?”

“Of course. I want to see my baby boy again.”

Tomo blushed with embarrassment, though no one was around to see it.

“Oh, and bring Hotaru with you. I want both of you home for the holiday.”

He widened his eyes.

-Oh no…-

“Uh…sure mom. I’ll…ask her to come too.”

“Ok then. See you soon. Bye bye.”

“Bye…”

He slowly hung up the phone, and flopped down onto the couch. He coudlnt’ believe the situation he was in.

“What am I going to do…I can’t just ask her…”

Christmas was only 2 days away, and he had to as her by tomorrow.

“Well, it is my mom asking her…maybe she’ll say yes?”

Tomo sighed and laid down, burying his face into his pillow.

“Oh, who am I kidding. She won’t even want to look at me, let alone go with me to my mom’s house. She wouldn’t be able to stand me…”

-----

It was snowing outside when Hotaru had entered the supermarket. She had ran out of food, so she needed to get more groceries.

“Let’s see…” she looked down at her shopping list, “Milk, eggs, bread, lettuce…”

She was walking, holding a basket in one of her hands, and her purse and list into the other.

When she had picked up all of her items and went to the cash register, she noticed that Shuro was walking by.

::Damn it…::

Before she could attempt to hid herself, he had already noticed her. He waved and made a gesture that he would wait for her outside.

She smiles a fake, nervous smile and waved.

::Great…just great…::

After she had gotten out,she was that Shiro was waiting for her by the quarter unicorn ride.

::Let’s get this over with…::

But before she could even take a step, she felt something yank at her arm and take her purse. All of her groceries fell to the ground.

“My purse!”

As the thief ran by him, Shiro stuck out his leg and tripped him. He fell face first into the snow.

“Ow! Hey, watch it!”

Shiro picked the guy up from the collar.

“Huh?”

He was staring into the angry eyes of a 10-year old boy.

“Let go of me!” the boy yelled, struggling and squirming.

“Not until you give back her purse.”

“Why should I?”

“Because it’s not yours.”

“Is that the only reason?”

Shiro realized that he wasn’t going to get through to this kid, so he pointed in the opposite direction and said, “Hey, what’s that?”

“Huh?”

Sure enough, the kid turned to look. Shiro snatched the purse out of his hand.

“Hey! No fair!”

“Life isn’t fair, kid. And you shouldn’t be one to talk, especially not after what you did to Hotaru.”

“Who?”

Shiro pointed over to the girl behind him, who was still picking up the groceries that landed on the ground.

“Heh, she’s hot.’

“Hey, watch your mouth!”

He was so pissed.

“Hahaha, by the way you look, I’d sayyou think so too,” the kid said with a mischeivious smile.

Shiro blushed bright red.

“J…just, get out of here! Go home!”

The boy ran off, laughing.

Shiro tried to get it together, but his face was still red with anger and embarrassment.

“Shiro?”

“Ah?!”

He turned to see Hotaru, standing there. She had picked up all of her groceries and were holding the bags in her hands.

“What’s wrong? You look like you have a fever.”

“Oh! Uh…it’s…it’s nothing, don’t worry about it,” he said with a nervous smile and laugh.

“Are you sure?” she asked.

“Yeah, “ he answered, “Oh, here’s your purse back.”

He handed it to her.

“Thank you. I don’t know what I would’ve done if I had lost this.”

“Why? Do you have a lot of money?”

“It’s not so much the money, it’s just that…”

Her eyese became sad.

“This purse…belonged to my mother.”

They were silent for a moment.

“Your…mom died?”

“Yea, when I was little.”

“Oh…I’m sorry.”

“It’s all right. Ther’s nothing I could’ve gone anyway.”

Snow gently fell on them as they stoor there, silent. After a while, Hotaru finally said something.

“Uh, well, it was nice seeing you again. I’d better get home now.”

She started to walk away.

“Oh wait, Hotaru!”

Shiro ran oafter her.

When he caught up to her, she looked up at him.

“Hm? What is it?”

“Uh..I , uh…wanted to give you something.”

He rummaged through his pockets, desperately trying to look for his gift to her.

“Crap! I forgot it at home?:

He was so disappointed with himself. How could he forget it?

Hotaru was as confused as ever.

“Um…well…you can just give it to me later. I guess I’ll see ya, then.’

“Ah! Wait!”

He ran for her and grabbed her left hand, pulling her back.”

“Huh?”

She looked back at him, and saw his cheeks were bright red again.

“Then, uh, since I can’t give it to you now, can you…come over…on Christmas? I…want to give it to you then.”

“Go over…to your house?”