50 Ways To Spend Your Christmas, Stuck With an Annoyingly Hot Emo Delinquent [29 - End]

We didn't want to talk about it much.

I bombarded Jane Bradley's phone (she only gave me her mobile phone) with at least 5 dozens worth of demanding voicemails. If she didn't knew any better, she would probably call the cops saying that her son's deranged girlfriend kidnapped him and demand ransom.

Back at home, I was sitting on the long white couch with a pale green flannel blanket wrapped around me and Nathan, who, by the way had his arm around my shoulder. In a way or another, I love the feeling to be in his arms.

But that was probably because I was so cold that being in a meat freezer would be much better than this. As if we had not suffered enough in the cafe, the insulators in our house was...well I was not sure what was wrong with it.

I think none of us knew how to open it. Asking Nathan, he just furrowed his eyebrows and said, "how should I know? Do you think I study these mechanics, engineering...or whatever it is?" he told us. "But my dad have a toolbox somewhere in the shed," I argued, putting my hands on my hips impatiently.

"You're not being serious right now. The only thing we do with stuff in the toolbox is kill each other with it. Once, some kid nailed someone's head, literally."

I was just curious how Nathan could still be sane after living in that center.

Thought, it was such a shame that the kids there didn't learn an ounce about living skills or anything. I opened my eyes when Helios started to lick my face, slobbering me with his saliva. Nathan just stared at us in amusement.

"You smell like dog's food."

"Shut up," I laughed, rubbing my face vigorously with a tissue that I got nearby. Mom was busy washing the dishes. We really did offered to help, but doing house chores was the only way mom could forget about what she was worrying about.

And right now, even if she haven't told anyone yet, I knew she was worrying sick about dad. Admittedly, I was too. I wanted to spend this Christmas together with them before I go back to school. I felt Nathan's fingers slipped through mind as my train of thoughts swirled around my mind. I rested my head on his shoulder.

It was almost midnight and I was sleepy. And I was getting pretty sick of watching Santa Claus played by different actors for the past 3 to four hours. Nathan and I had been couch potatoes ever since we got back and had dinner.

It was superb as usual, but mom couldn't stop glancing at the ceiling clock, her watch, out the window...well, basically everything that reminded her of how late dad was going to be home on Christmas.

Jane Bradley eventually returned my call, sounding a bit tipsy. I didn't know if that was an advantage or not, so I politely asked her to write down what I would say just for the sake of reminding her if she forgot.

She was reluctant, always talking about "I have to ask my dear hubby first."

Until I forced Mr. Bradley to listen. Yes. Forced. My lips were trembling the entire time. "It would be a chance to clear everyone's name!" I argued strongly. "Are you guys that shallow as to not believe in your own son?!" I finally burst impatiently.

Well, someone needed to tell them that. With all due respect.

"If Santa have a wife," Nathan said. I groaned and he ignored it as he continued saying, "then there should be one lil' Santa Jr. running around trying to grow a white beard right?"

"There is," I quipped. "See Nick there? That's their son!"

This was usually how one of our 'debates' started. And it would go on and on and on. Neither of us wanted to admit defeat so it usually ends with someone swiftly changing the subject. That was mostly me.

But one day we would bring it up yet again.

"Doesn't make sense," Nate argued. "Santa's wife couldn't be more than 25," he said, pointing at the screen. "Just look at her! If Jessica Alba have a younger sister, that would be her. And Santa Jr. or Nick or whoever he is looks as if he could date said mother."

"It's acting okay?"

"At least get an older woman," he scoffed. "Maybe they couldn't find one!" I said, for some reason feeling protective towards that movie which was crappy anyway. But it was one of those movies that we watch for humor purposes only. Even if the humor was a bit stupid.

"So they took in someone who probably had 3 plastic surgeries in her life?" he said, smirking. I glared at him. "God, you couldn't even watch a movie without enjoying it can't you?"

"How the hell could I enjoy a movie if it's crap?"

"By your standards, it means all movies are crap."

"Not my fault," he replied. "Pfft," I rolled my eyes. "Go watch Narnia or something."

"That's another story. The lion scared the crap out of me when it started talking."

"It's a fantasy story!" I laughed. "It's from a series of novel! So what if the lion talks? The genre is fantasy...and the book was pretty great," I said. "Fantasy shmantasy," he spat playfully, trying to get on my nerves. "So I guess because of fantasy, that's why the other author made that headmaster of Hogwarts look like Santa himself?"

"Don't insult Dumbledore," I cried out.

"Dumble--who?"

* * *

The clock strikes midnight and the credits rolled. Helios was fast asleep, his head resting on my mother's lap as she scratched behind his ears absent-mindedly. For the entire movie, she didn't even try to shush us when we began one of our debates like she usually does.

Mom never spent her Christmas without dad as far as I knew. Ever since my grandparents died a few years back, mom had became almost more dependent towards dad. And sometimes, I did feel guilty for going to school abroad.

But dad gleefully insisted that I should go. Mom on the other hand, was a bit deflated by the news. But she was happy for me nonetheless. I knew she would miss me and all, but she didn't say it or even try to sabotage my flight from EWR to Heathrow or something.

Like one of my mom's friend did.

And every time I think about my mother, I found myself growing more and more affectionate of her. "Well, today's a big day," she finally said cheerfully, clapping her hands together. "You two probably need to sleep."

Nathan was half-asleep. He kept waking up in the middle of his short nap, muttering something like the movie sucked so bad. "Mom," I started but stopped when I saw that she wasn't really listening to me.

I went over to hug her, whispering optimistically, "daddy will come. He always will!"

"Mewwy Kwisstmers Mee-seers Cassituhh."

Yes. Nathan was that tired. He stretched and yawn before giving a tired smile to me and glancing over my mom. "And thwanks shoo much," he said, trying hard to make his words understandable. I knew...because his brows were furrowing in concentration.

"This wuss' the best Christmas I ever had."

He staggered upstairs, leaving my mother starry-eyed and awestruck. That was one of her specialty. She could differentiate insincerity and sincerity. "Such a nice young man," she said, patting my arm proudly. I blushed.

I wrapped my arms around her again and wished her a merry Christmas. I didn't want to leave her alone. But I need to start packing by tomorrow (I pack early since if I do things last minute, there must be a couple of stuff missing).

When I walked upstairs, I heard the door creaked open. Curiously, a few minutes later, I peeked downstairs in apprehension. If dad didn't come I would kill him. I would seriously--

He was there and I beamed silently at the sight of my parents, dancing to an 80's song. Feeling as if I was invading their privacy, I turned around and walked straight to my room. It was dark and I stood there for a couple of seconds to let my eyes adjust to the darkness.

There was one light source though. Coming from the moonlight outside and the street lamps. It shone over my notebook, in which I lazily scrawled 30 something list of to-do. But ended up converting it to 50 ways to spend Christmas, stuck with an emo delinquent.

I did that impulsively, I realized. When I loathed Nathan.

I smiled to myself, flicking the light switch on. The dark room instantly filled with light, blinding my sight for a moment. Where did I stop, I wondered? With all that happened by far...I found myself didn't care anymore.

I didn't loathe Nathan anymore. I love him.

Maybe my dad fixed the insulation in no time, but when I thought that my body was filled with warmth and happiness. I love him. That sounded so foreign...so new in my head that it took me minutes to realize the truth.

I love Nathan Bradley.

And right now, that was all that matters.

"Charlotte," a familiar voice said drowsily behind me and I turned around. "Just wanna tell you Merry Christmas," he said. As if I wasn't happy enough already...

I kissed him.

Sure, we may not see each other again after this. His trial (according to Mr. Bradley's a bit baffled lawyer) was due this January for god's sake. And even though I want to, I couldn't just fly back here. I didn't know when I would see him again. Maybe this would be the full stop of our relationship or something. Everyone would be busy minding their own things.

And like my other close and best friends in NJ, we kind of drifted apart after I left in less than 5 months. Just like that.

It had been a great one month. I didn't want it to be over.

"Merry Christmas, Nathan."

* * *

A/N: HOLY SHIT! I stayed up until 2 to write this. I had no idea how to end it without making it sounds shitty because to be honest, of all things that I know, law is not one of them. Well, I do know a bit of law actually, but not specifically in crim law.

There would be an epilogue, just a small one about at the airport. Trust me on this one. But conerning the sequel, I still have no idea yet. I mean, seriously...I can't figure out if I want to make a sequel or start straight away with a new story.

Because even though I'll miss writing this, I have a secret wish to continue the rest of the 20 ways. But I reaaallly want to write a new story too DX

Gosh, my head is exploding for thinking about this too much now haha.

I can't believe it's over o_o It was a great run and wow, you guys are the best. THE best! I couldn't say that enough. There's no words to describe how awesome you guys are. Without you, my stories would be basically nothing.

And for that, I thank you.

~Ayrese~