In celebration of reaching 500 reads, here's another chapter!! I hope this gives you back a little of the warm joy you bring me everyday, my little elves ðâ¤ð
Another chapter, another dedication ð This chapter is dedicated to the great @RaeLynnWrites I think you know what it is to drink too much of a warm drink until you're sick, though your problem is with coffee ðð Anyways, thank you for always making me laugh, I miss and love you ðâ¤
"Do you need help?"
I almost fall from the first step of the stepladder when I hear the voice I've been avoiding for the last few hours.
"No, thanks." I turn to meet those sparkling green eyes I've recognized in the voice, yet a shiver still travels down my spine in front of their striking color.
I blame this ridiculous forest green sweater flashing with lights for making his eyes stand out like this, though I know they would still be twinkling even without it.
It brings me back to when I've been staring at these eyes in that cold room just a few hours ago, and deeper, there is also this indelible minty taste.
Though, who I am kidding? I don't need Theone to be standing in front of me to be reminded. It's been replaying in my mind since we've left that cold room, along with other worries knotting my brain, and even tying gift wraps and tinsels hasn't helped me clear my mind.
"You wouldn't know where and what to hang," I explain in front of his lifted eyebrow, and I walk down the stepladder because standing there makes me eye-level with him, and I don't need this. "Besides, I'm gonna try another point in my list."
This is what I need: something to go according to my plans, a little order in this confusion.
"No?! Don't tell me the 'fall in his arms' is this?!"
"Shh!!" I warn, glancing frantically around, even if he's still kept whispering in his shocked gasp. "Yes, it is. I'm gonna pretend to fall from the stepladder when he'll be near. He went to grab me more pins, and he should be back at any moment."
I'm about to tell him to leave me alone, but I don't find the heart as his clear eyes focus on me under creased eyebrows.
"Are you crazy?! This is dangerous, Penny!"
"No, don't worry, Aden will catch me. I've everything under control." I try to shut down this little voice inside that reminds me that everything is slipping out of my control these days.
"Oh, yeah, like all the other lines on your list?"
I swear Theone is the same as my little voice inside, or maybe it's my little voice inside that is the same as him; no wonder why I always hear those doubts in his voice.
"Can't you just pretend to stumble on the ground, or something like that? Something that would not get you to end up at the hospital?" He sighs, rolling his eyes, but something in his tone, or maybe just his words, makes my stomach clench.
For a micro-second, I even think about giving up this crazy idea â he's better than the little voice of my reason â yet I spot Aden coming back out of the corner of my eye, and I find back some determination.
I don't have time for something else. Tomorrow is already the 24th, and so far, we haven't really progressed; there are just new things that I need to sort adding up.
"He's coming. Don't worry, I'll be fine." I offer a confident smile to Theone when his frown deepening only makes my assurance shrivel down.
"This is a bad idea..." He shakes his head, glancing at me one last time. "At least, be careful, Penny."
"Here, the pins." Aden pulls me back to him, and his warm eyes that usually make me forget any doubt aren't enough to erase the worried green staying like a clear shadow in my mind.
"Thank you, can you pass me the tinsels?"
"Are you sure you wanna do it?"
Oh no! Not him too?!
His frown isn't as deep as Theone, but Aden still adds, "I can hang them if you want?"
"No, I'm fine, don't worry." I feel like a Christmas music box repeating always the same thing. "I'm more used to hang tinsels, and you have to be careful with your wrist."
I climb up the stepladder, hanging my tinsel quickly. I'm not careless; I don't want to fall with sharp pins in my hands.
Yet once my hands are empty, well except for some sweat slowly appearing, I still don't move. This is the moment, I know. But my mind keeps replaying Theone's worried eyes, and of course, I hear his voice in my conscience.
Aden's arms are just right there. I shouldn't be scared. I can trust him.
I try to find back my determination, remembering my plan, but the fast thuds of my heart are making it impossible, and I do the mistake of glancing down.
"Aden! Aden! We need your help!"
I hear the vague sound of voices calling as I try to step down the ladder, yet everything is spinning, and I don't know what's happening until I feel my foot step into nothing.
I try to catch hold of something, but the tinsels of light ribbons aren't enough to save me, and they follow me in my fall. So I just close my eyes, waiting for the harsh crash on the floor as I tumble backward.
This is not what I've planned, and now I can only pray for a Christmas miracle, or at least, to not crash too hard.
However, there's no collision with the hard floor. I end up falling on something hard, but still soft, as two arms catch me just in time, and the way they hold me makes me feel like they would never let me down.
My heart, which has stopped, leaps and bounces as if falling over and over again, yet I feel safer than ever.
"Fuck! Penny! I told you it was a bad idea."
I open my eyes wide, my heart doing one last rebound, higher than all the ones before, in front of the green eyes I would have never expected.
I don't know whom I've expected though. The warmth of his strong arms around me is unmistakable, just like the feeling of his whole body. It's cozy like home on Christmas night, yet it keeps my nerves restless like the countdown before New Year's Eve, or like discovering a new place for the first time, and I feel it acutely as my body is sprawling on his.
This brings me back to reality, hearing my heart thumping again. "Oh my god! Are you okay?!" I rake my eyes over his face.
"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine." He chuckles, and I know he is when his dimple slowly indents on his left cheek. "But you're crushing me down there."
I do the mistake of following his gaze 'down there', and I realize my knee is pressing 'down there'.
I immediately jump away, yet I don't go far as I hit my head in the baubles hanging from a fallen tinsel, and of course, more tinsels soon follow, making Theone's laugh resonate in all my nerves with the vibration coming from his chest so close.
"And you? Are you okay?" He pushes the ribbons away from my hair.
"Yes, thank you." I look down, my fingers tracing the words 'Let's get baked' on his sweater as my stomach is twisting more than if I had swallowed any eggnog.
Guilt and embarrassment are bitter.
I could have hurt myself, and most importantly, Theone could have been hurt because of me. I've been so obsessed over completing a point in my list that I haven't thought of the risks, and once again, it's come back right at me. Theone is right; I'm a bad influence for the innocent children.
As if reading my thoughts, his fingers brush my cheek that is hot with embarrassment, and strangely, it quietens my thoughts and the fast beats of my heart, well just for a second because speaking of innocent children...
"You're under the mistletoe!"
I recognize Alexis's voice, and it brings back too fresh memories.
"Not again?!" Theone speaks my thoughts as we both lift our heads, and indeed, there is a small sprig of mistletoe hanging just above us. It's been hung much farther, but when I've pulled on the tinsels, I must have brought it all with me.
I would have planned something like this, I would have never been able to put it as perfectly together.
"You gotta kiss!" Lilly giggles.
This little angel playing the matchmakers like the devil makes me think of someone...
I let my gaze comes back down to find everyone looking at us, including Aden, who has come back from his helper mission and who is now surrounded by little elves.
We'll never escape this. Although I don't even have time to argue that Theone's lips are on my cheek. It's quick, yet as warm and soft as I remember his lips have felt on mine, and it reawakens a faint tingle inside, like an echo that leaves you hanging.
I turn to find him grinning proudly, and I'm thankful for his reactivity.
I'm about to get up when...
"It isn't a kiss!" Alexis lifts an unimpressed eyebrow, crossing her arms over her chest.
"It is," I argue with a déjà vu impression.
"I agree with Alexis, it isn't," Patricia adds, and I already know where we're going.
I have the taste still steeped deep inside.
"There's innocent kids, we can't," Theone tries with a sheepish smile, and I catch sight of his left dimple, and then...
I grab his cheek exactly the same way he's held mine three days ago, and I crash my lips on his. I don't know why; my mind is blank, or maybe it's because this kiss has been filling it too much for the past days, and especially today. The aftertaste it has left... I just need to feel it again for it to stop haunting my thoughts, to prove myself this is nothing special.
However, as soon as his velvety lips return the kiss, it is more than special, more than last time.
The same rush of heat spreads through my veins, yet the tingles are infiltrating deeper under my skin; they are in my nerves, in my blood, everywhere. There is no chocolate taste, but there is still a hint of mint, and mostly something that I know is just Theone, unique and indelible.
His hand sneaks in the back of my hair, and his tongue comes out to trace the shape of my lips, and that's the moment I realize I'm lost in that kiss, lost in I don't even know what, maybe lost in an infinite of little stars that light up more and more under his gentle touch. I'm lost, and my heart is banging deafeningly in my chest with this impression.
I should take this as a warning, but instead, I let our tongues meet briefly, and it's enough to spark fire on all those stars inside. My legs are weak under the flames, and the warnings ring louder, yet they aren't coming from inside. The 'oooh' and 'yuk' are from around us, and I pull away as abruptly as I've leaned in to kiss him on this realization.
I'm afraid to open my eyes and face the reality, yet when I force my eyelids open, the first thing I meet is surreal: Theone's gaze with a green shade that I've never seen, and his soft, rosy lips slightly parted to let out a breathless sigh. Just like this kiss, I know I will never be able to erase it from my memory no matter how much I try.
He looks as lost as I am, and I don't know if I should feel reassured or scared. But I tear my eyes away before thinking too much.
It's impossible to think right now anyway between the loud hammering of my heart and the excited cheers around.
The cheers around... The flames from the kiss rush to my face as I glance at all the eyes on us, especially sparkling blue eyes and sweet cinnamon eyes.
"Let's go back to work, we have a lot to do," I declare, quickly getting up, and of course, pulling more tinsels to fall on me.
It doesn't matter; at this point, I think I don't have an ounce of dignity left, though it doesn't stop the blood to flood my cheeks.
I've never burned so much in my life, yet I'm not sure it is only embarrassment, and as everyone goes back to their tasks, I let everything that has happened, and mostly the taste of Theone's lips, sink in. As much as I wish I haven't, I've liked this kiss...
***
"Penelope!"
This call of my name reminds me of someone, except that the voice is pronouncing it perfectly in a sweet and smooth voice.
I turn around, careful with my ice skates already on and ready to go on the ice â my sore muscles don't need another fall â and I smile at the couple joining me.
"Hey, you already know Charles I think?" Hilary asks, looking at her husband with a large smile.
"Yes, nice to see you again." I shake his hand with my glove-covered one.
"Same, it's been a while, but you haven't changed!"
"I can tell you the same, well, except for the glasses?" I lift an eyebrow at his hazel eyes that are not hidden by metallic rims anymore.
"Yeah, the magic of contact lens!" He shrugs with the same small smile as in high school. He's never been one to smile a lot, and it's such a contrast with Hilary's wide and easy smile. I guess opposites attract in some cases. "So I've heard you're a real journalist now?"
My stomach knocks with this simple question. Though, in fact, the knocks are always there; they just get tighter and tighter each time. I can pretend everything is fine, but it doesn't untangle anything, and now, I can't even enjoy standing here with the music, the shiny decorations, and the excitement of everyone around.
Yet I force another smile, hoping I can fool everyone, if not myself. "Yes, I am."
I don't have time to return the usual formality questions as Charles interrupts,
"Sorry, I think I have to go pick our skates." He points to the counter at our left where a staff member is waving impatiently with two pairs of skates in front of him, and I'm glad to avoid any conversation revolving around dreams, goals, or even jobs.
"Thank you for inviting us." Hilary offers me another smile as Charles leaves us. "It's a nice break in the holiday rush!"
I follow her gaze around, and I must admit that looking more attentively at all those details: the people walking and sliding around, the tiny fairy lights in the ceiling that are imitating a starry sky, the large Christmas trees all around the centerpiece that is the large blanket of ice, and let's not forget the details the eyes can't take but that are as magical: the Christmas music blasting through the speakers mixing with laughs and the rustle of ice and metal, it stretches a real smile on my lips, even if the tensions are still there in my body.
"You're welcome! The more, the merrier, and like you said, it's a nice break for everyone!"
"I imagine it must be stressing to organize the whole Christmas party?" she asks, probably noticing my light frown, though it isn't because of the party; on the contrary, the work is what's keeping me sane.
"Yes, it's a lot of work, but it's fun, and we have a lot of helpers!"
"The little elves?" She smiles, and when I see her dark eyes shining, I feel a knot loosening with hope in my stomach. "They're so adorable."
"Yes, they are... Hey! Maybe you can pop by tomorrow to see us decorate if you have a little time, so you could spend time with them?" I suggest with a smile.
"Really?! Yes, I'd love. I could even help! I doubt Charles will be able to come, since he'll be in the kitchen, but I'll definitely drop by!" She grins more than a kid on Christmas day, and I would have never imagined her thankful eyes would be directed towards me, when I think of how I've greeted her just yesterday.
But I guess a lot can change quickly.
"Thank you. Theone is right, you're really sweet!"
All my planning thoughts freeze â Theone has this talent to mess my plans â and the fire from the too-fresh and vivid memories of this afternoon kiss rushes back in my veins.
"Theone's said this?" I ask with a voice that I don't recognize, yet it doesn't resemble Theone either to say things like this about me, nice things.
"Yes, he's also said you're really talented and that you have a big heart."
"He's said this?!" I know I'm repeating myself, but my brain can't process it, even less when Hilary nods with a knowing smile.
My stomach clenches, yet it isn't in a bad way, neither in a good way, just in an unnerving impression that leaves me empty and too full at the same time.
"I'll go put my skates on, and I'll see you on the ice!" Hilary points to Charles who is coming back with their skates in hand, and I'm left standing there, dumbfounded upon her words â well, at least, I'm standing in ice skates, so it's a lot, even if I'm still on the ground, especially when my mind is far from the ground.
I shouldn't make a big deal. It's just a few words, yet it's still a little thing that is adding to the too-much and that leaves me even more confused after today. There's even more coming when Aden walks to me with two cups and a warm smile on his lips.
"Here, the drinks. I've been careful this time. It's hot chocolate for you." His cinnamon eyes carefully read the inscription on the cup before he hands me one of the cups with the same attentive look.
He's so sweet, and here comes back the unnerving sensation in my stomach. I should only feel butterflies, but it isn't even snowflakes.
"Thank you." I take a long sip of the warm drink, hoping to swallow everything with the sweet taste of chocolate and cinnamon, and I keep drinking more like some would gulp a shot of vodka. I feel as dizzy after, but maybe warmer.
"I'll go pick up my skates." He glances down at my feet already sporting two white skates, and he leaves me alone too.
Although I don't mind because I need to breathe a little, which seems impossible these days. I've barely inhaled a deep puff of fresh air that I'm interrupted again, a hand appearing in front of me as I sense a warm presence behind.
I recognize instantly the colorful braided bracelets, and I give up breathing peacefully, already turning to the mischievous smirk waiting for me.
"We should wait for the others," I tell him as his feet are already on the ice.
"They'll join." He shrugs, still keeping his hand extended for me, and I eye it like a bomb ready to explode; that's what it feels like for my heart, and I try to resonate myself.
This is just Theone, after all.
"Besides, I think Jason and Emily might be long because they left to go god knows where!"
This is Theone, indeed, with still the same devious twinkle in his eyes that always follows his snide remarks and innuendos.
"Okay, this is my brother. I don't need to picture this." I wince, shivering in disgust until it turns into something else when I take Theone's hand.
"Nobody needs to picture this!" He chuckles, easily sliding on the ice while keeping his casual gait.
"Should I be scared?" I glance at our intertwined hands pulling me with him as he picks up speed.
"I'm not the one who ended falling on the other." He smirks, though his dimple barely has time to pop up as I tense.
Seeing the way he's avoiding my eyes, there's no doubt it brings back the same memories in his head, and I really don't want to talk about what has happened after. I'd rather forget it, or at least, try.
"So Jason told me you've invited Charles and Hilary?"
I let out the breath I've holding when he changes the subject more abruptly than his feet shift direction. "Yes, I did."
"Why do I feel like this is one of your crazy plans?" He turns to face me, grabbing both of my hands.
"Me?!" I smile innocently, yet I'm not as talented as him for this, and in front of his piercing eyes, I can't hide my grin. "It's the holidays, and as a little elf, I just want everyone to spend a magical Christmas." I keep my lips sealed in an enigmatic smile as he narrows his sparkling eyes at me.
"Yeah, yeah..." I expect him to pester me until I tell him like he always does, but instead, he lets go of one of my hands.
Before I know it, I'm slowly spinning around, and I look up at our linked hands that are the only thing keeping me from falling.
I'm far from the professional ice-skaters flying and sliding gracefully, of course, yet in this instant, I don't care. I'm floating, even with my feet still on the ice, and I could almost feel as light as a snowflake if there wasn't this weight holding my stomach down.
I smile widely as Theone helps me slow down, though it doesn't last as my stomach twists painfully.
"Are you okay? You look almost green." He winces as I try to focus my spinning eyesight.
"Smooth, you know how to talk to girls." I roll my eyes as any remaining lightness from seconds ago is crashing down in the pit of my stomach.
"I'm just stating the truth." He flashes me his left dimple, and I chose to ignore it when I spot the others entering the ice rink.
My head isn't spinning anymore, so I let go of Theone's hand, and I overtake him, trying to shake off the emptiness that seems to be chasing me even between my fingers. However, I'm quickly distracted by my stomach turning.
"Are you alright?" Aden furrows his eyebrows as soon as I join the chatting group.
"Yeah, I'm fine, just a little stomachache." I force a smile as all the heads turn to me.
"Did you drink eggnog again?" Theone appears beside me, and just seeing him spin on his skates to stop is enough to make me dizzy again.
"No, I'm not stupid. I've just had a hot chocolate," I groan, though my stomach is protesting louder, and I turn to Aden. "What is there in the chocolate?"
"I don't know, it's called the Elf Chocolate." Aden furrows his eyebrows, but this time, I'm careful to not look into his eyes.
"I think they put rum and cinnamon in this one. Are you allergic?" Charles imitates Aden's frown, and actually, everyone is looking at me the same way, so Theone is surely right: my face must be slightly green.
"Allergic isn't the exact word..." Jason shakes his head, and I see realization cross Charles and Hilary's faces as they realize I'm the responsible for the unforgettable Christmas show's incident.
"I think I'll just go rest." I turn around as a rush of heat spreads from my stomach to my cheeks, and it isn't only from the memories.
Apparently, milk and alcohol aren't co-existing well in my stomach, and right now, they're opening fire in my stomach. I'm praying that it won't be as bad as it is with the eggnog, but hearing the echo in my stomach, I doubt it, and I'm already trying to spot the nearest bathroom just in case.
No, just a rest will be enough, well, if I manage to get out of the ice rink without any sudden movement, from my feet or my stomach.
"Let me help you." Aden rushes by my side, gently offering me his arm. "It's my fault once again."
"No, it isn't." I do the wrong move, lifting up my head to his cinnamon gaze, and I lose my balance.
Aden instantly catches me, holding both of my arms, yet the smooth movement is enough to stop the fight between rum and milk in my stomach and makes them turn both against me.
I feel the now well-known push inside my stomach, and I try to escape, keeping my mouth firmly shut, but Aden is holding me firmly.
"I need toâ" I don't finish my sentence as I'm cut off by the monster in my stomach.
I watch the nightmarish scene unfolds in slow motion, yet there's nothing I can't do to stop it, and I'm left to stare at a disgusting mix of hot chocolate and remains of Asian noodles on Aden's skates and beige pants.
In this moment, I think that it isn't only the content of my stomach that has left my body, and I watch frozen an as-wide-eyed Aden before running off.
Luckily, and miraculously, I don't fall, and I'm faster than I've ever been on the ice and the ground. I hear my name being called, along with my nicknames, but I don't glance back, and most importantly, I don't stop.
That's a cliffhanger!! ð What do you think? Did you expect more vomit? lol I warned you that the romance must-haves would be twisted! ðððð And do you think Aden will be mad? Disgusted?
Also, we need to talk about this kiss!! I think Theone and Penny will be on the naughty list, but they're so cute ðð¥â¤
Comment what you think, and don't forget to vote â if you liked all Penny's stunts!! ð
I love you, my little elves ðâ¤ð