Christmas Special

A special chapter to celebrate the Christmas :)

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A loud scream echoed in our house after I threw the Christmas ornament at my sister and it hit her head. Serves her right. She's been singing Christmas songs non-stop since we started decorating the Christmas tree a few minutes ago. I don't really have a problem with it, my problem is, she's severely tone deaf, and it gives me horror vibes, seriously.

She glared at me, and I did the same. We had a staring battle for a moment before Sorelle threw the ornament back at me.

"I don't really wanna be mad 'cause it's Christmas so go get us something to eat before I threw you somewhere."

"Since when did you care about occasions?"

"Siren."

I sighed and let go of the Christmas balls I'm holding so they rolled towards her. "Fine."

She picked it up and placed it on the tree. "I want ice cream."

"In this cold weather?"

She stared at me like I said the dumbest thing ever. "Ice. Cream." She repeated, emphasizing every word. Whatever. I'll not be the one getting sick, anyway.

I hummed as an answer and went to my room to grab a jacket and went outside. It really is cold today, huh? The jacket I'm wearing doesn't seem to be enough as I could still feel the wind piercing through it. I struggled to walk towards the convenience store hugging myself.

Ice cream in this weather. My sister is really weird, huh?

I heard a loud, high-pitched voice calling my name. Even when I'm not looking, I know who it is. I refrain from grabbing ice cream from the freezer and faced her.

"Siren! Merry Christmas!" Hana once again screamed and hugged me. I saw the cashier giggling at her action so I smiled at her to apologize though I know that she didn't mind it.

"Yeah, Merry Christmas."

"What are you doing? Buying food?"

I nodded. "Sorelle wanted ice cream. And you?"

"We visited our cousin. I thought of visiting you at your house but I saw you here so..." She trailed off and giggled. She's always happy and smiling, the total opposite of me and Lea.

I faced the freezer again and grabbed whatever flavor of ice cream my hand could reach and gave one to her.

"My present."

Hana blinked and stared and me and the ice cream before laughing hard, surprising me.

"What?"

"I'm so touched! You're so sweet, Siren."

"Yeah." I walked past her and paid for the ice cream. Hana separated from me when we saw her cousin so I'm now walking on the cold, empty road when I stopped when I saw someone familiar walking.

"Lea?"

She stopped too when she saw me. We stood at each other quietly and awkwardly.

"So, uh-"

Saying both of that at the same time, we stopped.

"You go ahead."

Jinx, again.

We stared at each other before laughing. Somehow, the awkwardness was gone. I really hate how this turned out so I'm glad we could laugh like this again.

"Well, I'll go first. Merry Christmas." Lea said after a while and smiled. I smiled back.

"Merry Christmas."

She saw what I'm holding and frowned. "Ice cream? In this cold weather?"

"Ask my sister. I don't know what's going on in her mind, either."

Silence.

"So, what brings you to this neighborhood?"

Lea seemed startled as she took quite some time before she answered me. "I just visited someone."

"Can you stay here for a moment?"

She looked at me with confusion. "Why?"

"J-just... I'll be fast, I promise!"

I ran away back to the convenience store before she could say something. Panting, I looked around and saw the beverage section. I grabbed the first thing that I could think of before I rush back to still confused Lea.

"Uhm... Merry Christmas?"

I hesitated as I offer her the hot, chocolate drink. This is the fastest gift I could think of after I see her red getting red.

She stared at it for a second and I fear that she might reject it. After some time, she accepts it, grinning.

"I don't have anything to give back-"

"It's okay! It's just..."

"Merry Christmas... and Thank you."

I felt great relief when I see her smiling face. It's been a while since I've seen it. I miss it.

"See you at school?"

She nodded, still smiling at me. Then she bid her goodbye.

"Ha, that feels great."

I wonder who will I meet next. It seems like I keep bumping into someone I know.

I got interrupted again when this time, someone running crushes into me, making me let go of the ice cream, and that person accidentally crush it with his feet.

"It's your fault, you were in the way."

I felt like my blood rushing through my head after hearing that. I glared at him and got even more furious when I found out who that is.

"What the hell did you say?!"

"I am not repeating myself."

Annoyed, I kicked his leg making him jump in pain.

"What the-"

"It's your fault, you were in the way."

After glaring at him for one last time, I walked past him when he called me.

"What?"

"Your ice cream." I didn't answer. "At least let me replace it."

"Okay." I walked towards her and make sure he won't run away until he paid for the ice cream.

"Why are you here?" I asked even though I know that I won't get an answer.

"To look for Hana." He answered nonchalantly. I glanced at him in surprise. It's rare for him to honestly answer a question.

"Why? She hates you."

"I don't care."

He shrugged his shoulders and said goodbye. Okay, so I'm meeting people today I wonder who's next to meet?

Ah, there she is.

I saw a small and cute figure standing in front of a bakery looking through the glass window. I observed her for quite some time before I decided to approach her.

"What are you buying?"

She jumps in surprise and stares at me in horror. I smiled at her.

"It's just me."

"S-siren."

"Yeah. You've been standing there for a while. Aren't you going to buy anything?"

She shook her head slightly. "I'm waiting for my mother. She said she'll meet here after work."

"You want me to wait here with you?"

"No! I-it's fine. She'll be here anytime soon. Besides..." She stares at the thing I'm holding.

"Are you sure?"

She hesitated for a bit before nodding. So cute. Can't help patting her head.

"Then, just a minute." I stood beside her and watched the people walking.

I could feel her staring at me so I glanced at her and smiled. And with that, her face turned beet red as she looked away from me.

I left as soon I saw her mother from a distance. I think the ice cream has melted but I don't care. Sorelle should put it in the freezer if she wanted to eat it. I wonder what she'll cook tonight? That's actually the only thing I'm looking forward to this Christmas. Food.

"Siren..."

"Hmmm?"

I watched her as she reach for something on her thick, red, jacket. Seconds later, she shows me a cute, snowman keychain.

"This is...?"

"I- I didn't think that I'll see you here and I wanted to give you a gift so..."

I accepted the snowman and stared at it.

"Thank you, but I don't have anything for you..."

"It's fine! I don't really mind."

"Then..." I reached the gap between us and gave her a hug. "Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas, Siren."

Hmm. I think I met everyone today. I should head home and take a rest so I could be awake at midnight.

As I'm heading towards the playground I can see a figure of a girl squatting, as if looking for something.

I thought that I met everyone today.

Except for her.

She seemed to notice my presence. She stood up and turned around and I saw how her face lighten up when our eyes met.

Ah, I need to calm down.

Slowly, she walked towards me and stop a few inches apart.

"Siren."

"W-what?"

She smiled and giggled. "I didn't expect to see you here."

"Well, you're not the only person who lives in this area."

Peach laughs at my remark. I really don't think she gets affected by the way I speak so I don't know why I'm still doing this.

"Ah, look. Someone left Brownie a gift!" She excitedly grabs my wrist and runs to where Brownie is. Up until now, no one has adopted him. I'm already thinking of ways for my sister to agree on having a dog at our house.

"Look! Isn't she cute?" She excitedly holds Brownie and shows it to me. Someone gave him a cute dress, making him look like a mini elf. Cute.

"I told you, he's a male."

"Oh really?" She giggled again. "Wanna hold him?"

Brownie collapses into my arms as he rubs his tiny head into my chest. I felt my heart tightening at this cuteness. I can't handle this so I gave him back to Peach.

"I need to go home," I said and stood up. I saw Peach carefully put him back and said goodbye before running to follow me.

"What are your plans this Christmas, Siren?"

"Nothing. I'll just eat and sleep."

"Huh? What about gifts?"

"We don't do that." It's only me and my sister, anyway.

Peach went quiet and I didn't dare look at her side. Honestly, I suddenly feel warm and comfortable. Is it because of her?

Nah. I don't think so.

As I'm about to part ways, Peach stops me with her cold hands.

"What?"

"Uhm, can you bow down a little?"

"Why?"

"Just... Please?"

I sighed and lowered my head. I felt her doing something to my hair.

"What are you..."

"Done! It's my gift to you."

I traced my hair with my hand and felt a cold, heart-shaped hairpin at the side. It's the one she was wearing earlier.

"Why are you giving it to me?"

She pouted a little and answered, "I told you, it's my gift!"

"You really don't..." Seeing her hopeless face, I trailed off my words. "Thanks."

She smiled that made my heart skip a beat. You really should not smile like that. I don't like it.

"Then, I'll be going." She wave a little and turned around. Touching the hairpin once again, I came up with something. I should give her a gift too.

I rushed towards her and grabbed her by the arm.

"What-"

Her words hang in the air as I kiss her forehead. Well, that's the only gift I could think of.

Peach stared at me, her cheeks letting out a slight pink blush.

"M-merry Christmas," I said and ran away before she could reply.

It was only then that I realized what I just did. I didn't even remember how mad Sorelle was at me for coming home late and bringing melted ice cream back. All I could think of was how warm Peach is in my arms.

"Well, it was nice," I whisper as I watch my sister go nuts getting mad at me in the living room.

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Merry Christmas ♡