Rider

December

Yay!

Joy!

She’s so happy. So happy. Like she-can’t-control-it happy. Finals are over and she’s sure she passed every class. Even the one where she had a paper, a project, and a final due the same day. Plus she’s going home for Christmas break. And she just wants to skip around and sing. But she can’t. Because it’s freezing. And the ground is all wet and snowy and icy. And she’s clutching a cup of steaming cocoa from one of the campus coffee shops. It’s just a bad idea. But she can’t help bouncing on the balls of her feet. She’s so excited.

Okay.

And a little nervous. A lot nervous. Because she doesn’t know what will happen. But she has to do it. She owes him. And she wishes it were more than it is, but it’s a last minute decision, so she’s just going to run with it. Soon as the bus gets here. It’s finally turned the corner but it’s just crawling and she’s freezing and bouncing nervously on her feet. Which have turned numb. And the bus has reached her and she can’t think. Everything has turned all fuzzy and blurry.

Um.

Hoo-boy.

She sucks in a breath. The door opens and a big grin spreads across his face when he sees her. And that makes her heart suddenly feel all crunchy and squishy. Which is weird. But not bad. But still weird. So she just quirks an eyebrow at him and sits. He chuckles.

He’s in a good mood. His blue eyes are twinkling again. She thinks he’s probably excited about finals being over and Christmas break. But she can’t help sneaking peeks at him out the corner of her eye. He’s bundled to the max. Scarf, beanie, coat, big gloves and boots. Looks like the Michelin Man. Except better-looking. And his nose and his ears are all red.

Cute.

Ahem.

She feels like all the passengers are staring at her. Watching her stare at him. But when she glances around, nobody is looking. She’s paranoid. She knows it. Thankfully, her stop comes up, and she stands.

Breathe.

She almost loses her nerve. But manages to hold onto it. She hesitatingly taps him on the shoulder and hands him the cup of still-hot cocoa. He stares at it. At her. At the steam that’s spiraling up from the hole in the lid. At her again. She blushes hotly and shrugs.

“Merry Christmas,” she mumbles. She turns to leave.

“Hey…” He catches her sleeve.

Déjà vu.

She looks at him quizzically.

“See you next semester?” He looks so hopeful.

“Yeah. I love the parrot.” The words tumble out of her mouth before she can stop herself.

“Merry Christmas.” He’s looking right into her eyes. All twinkly-blue and gentle and tender. And—

Oh.

His smile.

Wow.

The End