Storytime with P. Meggy "A Very Relient K Christmas"

I sit outside, with only the light from the windows and the Christmas lights, and the cold to keep me company. I shiver, and listen as I hear the little kids inside laugh as they tear into their Christmas presents.

I hate feeling lonely on the holidays...

Rewind two years...

“I can’t figure you out...” I said, choking on those last words. Vaguely, I wondered if the tears would freeze on my face. “We were fine! We were happy, just...just last week, at the longest. I thought you loved me.”

“I’ve been lying to myself, and to you, Jamie. Things...they aren’t the same. I know that now.” He said, and I realized that as we’d been standing there, it had begun to snow. Snowflakes brushed against his face, and I itched to reach up and touch them, but I didn’t. I hugged myself, shaking. He reached out to hug me, but I stepped away from him, out of his grasp. Suddenly, his voice changed from sweet and soft to accusing. “We’re both changing, and you know it. We’re no good for each other; this relationship is hurting both of us. I...I’m sorry.”

“I don’t feel it hurting me, it’s just you.”

When I looked up again, he was gone. He’d left. I doubt he’d ever be back.

I sat on the ground, wishing for the snow to cover me up, and I would never be found again.

After who knows how long, I heard someone whistling “Santa Claus is Coming to Town,” and a face, wearing a fluffy Santa hat, peered around the fence. Derek had always been my friend. He visited us on Christmas; he lived next door to my grandmother all his life. “Jamie, is that you? Hey, Jamie, I got a present for you. Where’s mine? Hey, are you okay?” He continued his stream of questions as he approached.

“I don’t want to talk right now, Derek.” I said, quickly turning my face away.

“That’s okay, I can stay right here.”

Fast forward back to where we began...

“At least I made it here...” I think to myself. “It could be a lot worse.”

It’s Christmas. I’m at my Grandma’s house. My second home. I have a loving family here, my closest friends.

So how can I still feel so desperately lonely?

I thought I loved him, ‘he’s different,’ I told myself. Looking back on it, I knew I was just as selfish as he was.

I hear the door open, and I turn, Derek is standing on the porch, humming “Deck the Halls.” He smiles at me, with that ridiculous red hat on his head. “Hey, friend.” he says, “Are you planning to come inside? It’s cold out, and it’s definitely more cozy indoors.” He pauses. “Are you okay?”

I smile back, as I climb up the steps. “Sure, I’m alright. It’s Christmas, who isn’t alright?”

He looks worried, but doesn’t ask anymore questions. He takes my word for it. “Merry Christmas, Jamie.”

Feeling suddenly happy, so happy that I could just...fly away. I stand up on the tips of my toes to be face to face with him, and smile even wider. “Merry Christmas, Derek.” I say, before kissing his cheek and stealing his hat.

Stepping into the house, I take off my jacket and pull the red hat onto my own head. That’s when I realize...

I’m not as lonely as I thought I was.

((Sorry about all that pessimism in the last post, I'm sick, and when I'm sick, I tend to be a little...well...disagreeable. So, here be the late story.

Psssh...so much for a double feature all across the sky.

-cough- Cat -cough-))