She strolled down the street, staring in each store window that she passed. She had on a big black coat the went down to her knees and covered her hands. Her fingers were intertwined and she clutched them to her chest, fanning her warm breath over them in an effort to keep warm; cursing herself for forgetting her gloves again.
She passed by a shop that sold nicknacks and stopped for a moment as she studied the objects in the window. There was a teddy bear holding a big red heart, looking like it was holding it out, wanting to give it to someone special. She knew about all the commercial things that took advantage of people's love for holidays in order to make money, and she knew that this was just one of the many, an overpriced teddy bear just for this holiday's sake. Nonetheless, she still felt her insides warming at the thought of receiving something of the like from someone that cared. Because it shows that they care about you, and it's nice knowing that you matter; no matter how stupid it was to think so.
When she peered in the next window she came to, she saw Santa. He was sitting in a big golden chair, some white fuzzy stuff made to resemble snow covering the floor, with tinsel hanging around the room as well as covering the chair. There were a few people in line to see him, mostly kids. Several elves with pointy ears and dressed in green were running around. She stared for a moment, watching a kid sit on Santa's knee and tell him what he wanted for Christmas. The kid was making big gestures with his hands, his mother standing to the side with a grin, and Santa gave a laugh at one point. She stared for a long moment, remembering when her family had celebrated the holiday enthusiastically. Now she wasn't sure what of her sweet memories was fact or fiction, as they were now mostly covered in bitter feelings.
She sighed, and then continued walking. She passed a few stores before being drawn to another window, where she stood and stared wistfully in at the items. There were candies decorated for Christmas, and heart and tree shaped boxes and Christmas themed wrapping paper. She loved candy and she couldn't remember the last time any of it had touched her tongue. Her nose scrunched up with distaste, though, as she glimpsed some dark chocolate (bitter candy?) on display.
With another sigh, this one full of wear, she kept walking. She glanced in the windows as she passed them, but forced herself not to stop. By the time she could see the little cafe she was heading to, she was over fifteen minutes late. She felt very little remorse for being late, mostly just disheartened at arriving.
She stood a couple of shops away from it, and she just stared at it for a long moment. There was a couple in the corner, whispering to each other. Next to the door was a mother and father with three little kids, all younger than ten. At the counter were two girls chatting animatedly with each other. And there, hidden in the far corner next to the counter, was a boy.
He was leaning back in his chair, staring down intently at the coffee cup clutched in his hands. She wasn't surprised to see nothing else on the table, since he wasn't the type to give gifts. He didn't fall for all of the holiday hype; he thought that it was all just to get people to spend money. She knew this, but she was disappointed anyway. She watched him for a moment longer, then took a deep breath and started for the door.
When she pulled the door open, he looked up from the coffee cup and at the door, at her. His expression didn't change much, only now his intense gaze was on her, making her nervous. She looked down, shivering in the breeze that followed her in from the door, before making her way over to his table. He didn't say anything as she pulled out the chair across from him and sank down into it.
It was silent for a moment more before he spoke. "You're late."
"I know."
"Why?"
"I got distracted."
"You always get distracted." He told her, sounding disgruntled. She tried not to frown and keep her expression neutral. He frowned, in her stead. She avoided his gaze, and it stayed silent until she gave in and looked at him.
Even though he didn't say anything, his eyes were asking her why. And even though she didn't want to answer, she already had before her brain could catch up with her mouth.
"Because I don't want to be here."
He didn't know what to say to that, and so it turned tensely silent. She didn't want to look him in the eyes, but she couldn't get herself to look away. He looked surprised, then upset, and then mad.
She waited for him to say something, anything. Waited for him to blow up at her, like she had assumed he would. But he just looked down at his coffee, drained it, and abruptly stood up, so sudden that even his chair hadn't known it was coming, and it screeched against the floor and almost tumbled over because of it.
She watched him, surprised at the suddenness. She met his eyes again, and they showed his hurt even as he was trying to mask it, before he turned and marched out of the cafe. She didn't look away until he'd turned away from her, and then she moved her gaze to look out the window.
There were people walking by, most with big or several bags in hand, evidence of the holiday season. And across the street was the town Christmas tree. It could be seen from anywhere in town, and it was decorated with tons of ornaments and tinsel and lights. There were lights all over it, making it glow. It illuminated the street, making it look a bit more magical than normal. She stared at it, not blinking, until her eyes started to water. She tried convincing herself that that was the only reason her eyes were streaming with tears.
_ This was another story I wrote for class. I wanted to write a happy one, and I might still be working on another, but here's this one. Review and tell me know what you think of it? Thanks, if you do. :) And, Merry (early) Christmas!