6. I don't have to, but I want to

It was a total surprise that my ride to the town festivities was Santa in a truck. I was even more amazed when he sat on a throne and kids started going to him with their wishes.

Matt made sure I would have a plate, stoked with cookies and pie, while I was seated on a small table near his special chair. It smelled Godly, like cinnamon and baked goods. Even the air here was fresh, not like in the big city.

Our surroundings were mostly decorated in gold and red. The Christmas tree was also with those colors. Here and there I could see yellow lights, bringing a fairytale feeling. The people around us were dressed in warm clothes and were wearing their happy faces.

The mayor of the village, Mr. Lee, placed a huge bag with small souvenirs next to Matt, so every kid could have something from Santa. It was so cheerful and heartwarming.

“I want a car where I can sit.” A blonde boy stated with hope in his eyes. “It must be red. Like Maqueen - the lightning!”

“Ho-ho-ho!” My neighbor said, “Should it be as fast as him?”

“Can’t it be faster?” the boy lifted his big eyes with excitement.

“Hmm, what would your parents say?” Matt became playfully serious.

“Yeah, probably not,” the kid nodded.

They shared a hug and it warmed my heart. Santa was nice with all the rest of the kids. Then, he finally left the special chair and came to see if I ate everything he planned.

“Are you this kind with all the kids? Nice and naughty?” I questioned him, showing him my empty plate.

“Of course I am,” he grinned at me. “Some naughty kids might surprise you by eating all of their food, as a nice kid would you. You never really know who is naughty.”

“You-u-u!” I bumped his shoulder again and we laughed.

“Now come, take a night walk with the suspicious guy, dressed as Santa.” He offered me his hand and as soon as I gave him mine, he pulled it tight under his arm so once again, our bodies were touching.

“Since when do you do this?” I wondered.

“Third year,” he informed me, while removing his fake beard. “I love kids and know how to celebrate Christmas the right way.”

“The right way?” I lifted my head to meet his face.

“Yes, I can be cheerful and my Christmas spirit is spreading like magic.” He stopped walking and his warm gloved hand lifted and caressed my chin. “I see no joy, no spirit in your eyes, M. I am making my goal to make you happy this Christmas.”

Our eyes met and I melted under his touch and the fire in his stare. I shook my head, pulling myself away.

“You don’t have to do this,” I stated, looking at my snowed boots.

He removed the space between us again and this time he used both of his hands to cup my face and make me look at him.

“I don’t have to, but I want to,” he almost whispered as his blue irises inspected mine.

I could feel his breath on my face and my heart began to beat like crazy.

“Just like I want to do this.” Suddenly, he leaned even closer and his lips warmed mine.

He stayed a second like this, and I opened my mouth to breathe in all his scent. Then hungrily, I responded to his kiss as his tongue gently touched with mine. His arms enveloped me and I sank in a passion I haven’t felt in years.

“Now, isn’t that the school’s favorite couple?” I heard a snarky female voice and I pulled away from Matt. “Oh, wait! It is only one half of it. Where is the other one?”

“Lana?” I blinked, realizing what just happened.

“Mia,” her grin was visible from an airplane. “And…Matt? And no Adrian?” she acted as if she was surprised.

“Annoying as ever, huh?” I signed at her behavior.

“For once, do not put your nose in other people’s business, Lana,” Matt made a futile try.

“No, I just don’t get this.” She looked to her left side where her high-school best friend always was - Sue. “Mia was just no-one for the most years. Then, Adrian finds something in her and boom! Mia is popular. They are the best couple in town. The high-school sweethearts. Love, love, love.”

“He could have picked any girl, but no…He picked the boring Mia.” Sue shook her head, agreeing with Lana.

“So many girl pined for that boy,” Lana pursed her lips when her gaze shifted to Matt. “The other part of the girls pined for you, sexy!”

“Not fair!” Sue said, tracing how her friend approaches Matt and her bony hand caressed his cheek.

“Not at all!” Lana starred in Santa’s face. “Why Mia will steal all the popular boys?!”

“Lana, grow up!” I felt jealousy and anger filling me, watching how Matt pulled her hand away with a sign.

“I did!” Lana hastily responded. “Now I know how to win the boy. The good news is that I will be back in town. Just like you, sexy.” She winked at him.

Damn, I felt so jealous, but he wasn’t mine. Oh, and that kiss…it was amazing and forbidden.

“We have to go, Lana.” Matt stated and pulled me closer again, holding my hand under his arm. “I have things to show, places to be. With. Mia.” he made sure the last words can be heard by everyone.

Lana pursed her lips, giving Matt the puppy eyes. “I will leave you to your date, then…for now.” She grinned again and laughed like the evil witch she was. “Just one more thing, Mia. Tell your cousins I say ‘Hi’. I saw their car passing by.”

I stared at her with frightened eyes. It was the last thing I needed to hear.

“They are here almost every Christmas. Not like you.” It seemed like she was happy that she surprised me with her news. “Bye now, Matt.”

“Fuck!” I ignored her dramatic leaving, troubled by my own misery. “I should have known they would come. I just… Mom and Dad didn't say anything.”

“Why should they?” Matt started walking with me under his arm. “They are inevitable like the change of seasons.”

“I am not ready to face them, Matt,” I looked at him without a mask, my pain visible. “I really don’t need this shit right now.”

Then he stopped walking again so he could caress my cheek with his hand. “That is why I will come with you.” He leaned and I closed my eyes, craving another kiss, but his warm lips only touched my forehead. He moved just a little bit so we could gaze into each other’s eyes. “I said I will be responsible for your happiness now and they can surely get in my way.”

Teased by not getting another kiss, that I knew I shouldn’t have, I said “Why do you burden yourself with this task when I am not yours?”

“Oh, M. No matter how far you were or how long we haven’t seen each other…” He made a pause, looking at me intently. “I’ve always loved you and Adrian is a fool for not being here right now. I see you are no longer his. I felt it in your kiss.”

I gaped at his boldness and at his confession.

“I’ve never…” I tried to organize my thoughts, while blazing fire entertained my insides. “Why didn’t you say anything, M?”

“Because you were happy with him and the way to love is to never be the reason why your loved one is unhappy. I will be the reason for your happiness, M. Not the other way around.”

The last sentence he said in almost whisper and his breath warmed my neck as he leaned again to slowly kiss me under my ear. It felt so wrong and so right at the same time. I couldn’t pull away. Everything in me needed him to be like that. It was like he was touching the very Me, who was deeper, asleep. Now, when his arms enveloped me, she was waking up, hungry.

“M, you want to be mine.” Matt whispered in my ear. “I can tell by the way your breathing changed in my arms.