𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓹𝓽𝓮𝓻 𝓣𝔀𝓸The next day I’m on the phone with my mom, telling me all of the plans that they have for thismonth. “So, first we are going to see The Nutcracker on December 8th. Then we will go ice skatingon December 10th. And you said you’ll be available to join us, right?” She asks while I’m icingcookies to give to my coworkers tomorrow. I just finished the Christmas tree cookie when I tell momthat I’ll be able to join her and dad. “Great! And on Christmas Eve we are going to the Sioux Fallsevent they have where you get to walk around, and lights everywhere. And where a cafè is as well.We used to go there all the time since you were 12.” I smile at the memories. I had a hot chocolateat the cafè where I sipped it too fast and it was still steaming hot, and I panicked and I threw itacross the room. Thankfully, everyone was laughing and very understanding. So it wasn’t tooembarrassing. But my face still grows hot thinking about it. As I start drawing a little snowman onthe 3rd cookie, my doorbell sounds and I put down the icing bag and my phone and I jog over to mydoor. I open it and I look around, not seeing anybody like the last time. But I finally look down againand I see another package. I step outside and I bend over to pick it up, and as I stand up and turnback to my door, I see my neighbor, the one with the tux, who has a package in his hands as well.As I turn around towards my door, we make eye contact. I quickly look away and I step back insidemy house. I shut my door and I walk back to my kitchen, where my phone and cookies are waiting. Ipick up my phone. “Hey mom, sorry, I had to get the door.” I say and I put the package down on thekitchen counter. I look at the name, and it says Kieran Birdwhistle again. I roll my eyes in annoyance.Can’t this mailman get anything right? I look away from the box and I focus back on my mom andmy cookies. By the time mom is done talking, I just have finished my Christmas cookies and I putthem in ziplock bags for tomorrow. After a while, mom and I hang up the phone and I get into myChristmas pajamas and I read one of my books on the couch.~I wake up on the couch and my book that I read was on the floor. I sit up and I rub my eyes with myhands. I look at the time and I immediately jump off of the couch when I see it’s 6:30am. I run to myroom and I grab the clothes I had ready for the next day. It’s a white blouse with a white skirt thatstops right above my knees. I then put on tights I had ready and I fix my hair into a braid that flowsdown the middle of my back. I put on black ankle boots when I’m done with breakfast and I yankmy coat off the rack and I quickly put it on. I grab my purse and the cookies I have ready for mycoworkers. I feel like I’m missing something when I look behind me and see the package waiting onthe kitchen counter. I grab it and I run towards my door and I slam it behind me. The path down tomy mailbox and car is slippery but I don’t have time to worry if I’m going to slip or not. I have tenminutes until I’m late for work. And this week I’m in charge of being the cashier at the bookshop thatI work at. I basically jump in my car and when I start the engine, I drive off like my house is about toexplode.When I drive in the parking lot of my workplace, I grab my purse and I run in. By the time I runinside, the clock instantly changes to 6:40am. I sigh in relief and I stop by the water fountain and Iput my coat on the coat rack. I leave my bag with my coat and I sit down at the front desk forcashier duty. One of my coworkers, Ada, walks in and she places her coat and her bag next to minewith a shiver. She turns to me and she smiles. “Hi!” She exclaims with a smile and I greet her withthe same expression. I give her one of the ziplock bags of cookies and I stand up and give it to her.“I made these yesterday. Merry Christmas!” I say and she looks at the cookies with a glint of hungerin her eyes. “Thank you so much. I haven’t had breakfast because I was rushed and I woke up late.”She says and takes the bag. “Same, I woke up at 6:30 this morning.” She opens the bag and she eats a cookie in three bites.She smiles at me again before taking the rest of the cookies to her purse and she goes upstairs forinventory.~Once the time hits 5:00pm, I finish helping a customer finding a romance Christmas novel and whenthey pay, I grab my coat and my purse and I leave the shop before saying goodbye to my othercoworkers, who also loved the cookies I gave them. Before I head home, I drive to the post officeand the same woman who helped me before is at the counter. This time she curled her hair and sheis wearing a Christmas hoodie with black leggings. She smiles at me and I smile back. “Hi, therewas a mixup again today. I just came to give this back to you.” I put the package on the counter andshe looks at the name. “Oh, I’m sorry that happened to you again, ma’am.” She says and she takesthe package to the back counter behind her. She walks back to the front counter and smiles. “MerryChristmas!” She says cheerfully and I smile as wide as my mouth can go. I turn around towards thedoor and I bump into a guy, he doesn’t budge but I almost fall on my butt like I did in the entrance ofthe post office. He grabs my arm, saving me from falling. “Woah, there.” He says, I don’t look at himbut I notice that it’s my neighbor. His voice is gentle, but more harsh than gentle. I hesitate to lookhim in the eyes and when I do, his face is a cold expression. Of course, he is still wearing a tux. Isthat all he ever wears? I find my balance and he lets go of my arm. I smile softly. “Right, sorry.” I sayawkwardly and I turn a different angle, avoiding bumping into him again. I shove the door open and Iwalk down the stairs to my car, and once I get into my car, and I start the engine, I find myselfblushing in the rearview mirror.
