Christmas was coming up, my mum and I went shopping for gifts and decorations. I saw a really nice suit. I wanted to buy it for James so he could wear it for special occasions.
On Christmas Day, James and his father came early and his father was actually really nice, he had a kind smile like James. They helped put up the decorations and we even decorated the tree together, while merry Christmas songs were playing in the background. Everyone was smiling, my step-dad was there too.
We all sat down at the dinner table as my mum stood up holding her glass of wine up to make a toast. "I'm glad we can all celebrate this Christmas together, I hope we all have a merry Christmas and a great new year, cheers to a bright future." We all clanked our glasses, of course James and I were underage and we drank coke instead. My mum's turkey was great, it had great seasoning and everything. But the real part was the dessert, her dessert is everything to die for. Everyone's eyes lighten up after a scoop of her chocolate pudding. "Miss Park, this is the best pudding I've ever eaten!" "Thank you James." I could tell my mum liked James after that comment about her pudding.
We then all went to the living room and gave around gifts. James opened his first, I hoped he liked the suit I picked for him. "This is a really nice suit, thanks Celine, I couldn't have asked for anything more." I was happy if he was happy. I opened a gift from my step-dad first and it was a really nice necklace, it looked expensive. "You didn't have to Mark, this looks expensive." "Take it as a gift for us becoming family." "Thank you." I opened a James gift and it was a cute white dress, probably one of the best dress I had in my entire life.
We hung out for hours, until James and his dad had to leave. We all said our goodbyes and my mum and I cleaned up.
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3 Years Later..
Everyone was parting their separate ways to college. Leon was moving to London to pursue his dream as an artist in the best art school 'Royal College of Art'. Stella moving to another city and James had to move back with his mum, who was in another state. I was sad to see most of us leaving, at least Terry was going to a university here. I didn't quite plan to go to university. I thought about just working straight away.
I got a job at a Café, full time. It was a fun and calming job, my co-workers were nice and were patient when teaching me. I've been working here for two years now, everybody kept in contact, we even had a group chat.
I was just cleaning up the café before closing when I heard a ding from my phone. I got my phone out from my pocket and saw a text from James, I read it and it turned out he'll be coming back here for a little bit. I was so excited that I accidentally dropped the mop on the floor. "What's wrong Celina?" My co-worker Hailey came up to me. "James, he's coming back!" "Oh, I'm so happy for you, make sure to put in a good word for me that I've looked after you while he was gone." "Of course."
I quickly rushed home and called him, he picked up in an instant. "So when are you coming back?!" "Next week Wednesday." "I'll pick you up!" "No need, I can get an Uber." "I must pick you up, promise me you won't get an Uber." "Alright." We talked a little bit more before he had to go. I've started working since I was in year 12 and I've managed to save up enough for a little apartment with my mum's help. James would be staying with me of course, I started cleaning up already for his arrival next week.
Everyday, I get more and more excited and finally the day comes. I drove in my car and just as I got there I was about to call him until he started walking towards the car. He put his luggage in the back seat and sat next to me. "Long time no see Celine, missed me?" "Of course!" "I missed you too, everyday felt like torture when I can't see you." "Same here." When we got to my apartment I showed him where he would be sleeping, which was a mattress next to my bed. "Why is there another mattress?" "That's where you're sleeping." "We're not sharing a bed?" "You want to share one?" "Why not?" "Just sleep on the damn mattress." "Alright, chill."
Tonight I ordered fried chicken to celebrate James' return and we're going to have a date on Saturday. I ordered canned beers to go with the chicken, it'll be our first time drinking together. We clanked cans and drank it, I felt like spitting it out, it was so bitter. "This is nice, you seem to not like it." "It's so bitter." "It's okay, you'll get used to it." The beer might not be good but the chicken was definitely delicious. After dinner we went to bed, I closed my eyes and then James started talking "This doesn't feel real." "What doesn't feel real?" "How could I have such a great girlfriend?" "Hm, maybe luck?" He chuckled and said "Once I become a successful detective, I'll move back here officially and buy us a nice house to live together ." "That would be nice, all I need though is just us being together happily." "We're already happy together right now." "Let's sleep, I have work tomorrow."
My café opened at 6am. It was one of the early cafés. I got up early and cooked James breakfast and left a note for him. The sun was only a quarter up, so it was kind of dark. Hailey and I opened up the café, there was then an unexpected customer that came in. We didn't get customers right after just opening up the store, so it was odd. Hailey and I looked at each other kind of scared and confused at the same time. I whispered to her to just act normal. I greeted the person "Welcome to Mersta Café!" The person didn't respond and I noticed he was covering his face by lowering his cap. "What would you like to order?" "A latt…" "I'm sorry I can't hear you, can you repeat that." I tried looking under his cap as he repeated his order. I failed to see as he mumbles a 'nevermind' and left the store.
After he left, Hailey ran up to me "He's so weird. Are you okay?" "I'm fine, I'm just relieved that he left." "Yeah." Although it wasn't a big deal, I couldn't get him out of my mind during the whole day. It felt familiar. Something then clicked in my head, the stalker. Last time I saw him was 3 years ago, why would he be back now? Why now? I asked to leave early today, as soon as I got home I wanted to tell James about what happened, but I didn't want him to worry so I just kept it to myself. "Princess, how was work?" "It was good." "Good?" "It's just like everyday, taking people's orders and serving them." "Oh alright, by the way I made the reservation for tonight." "Okay great, I'll go wash up and get change." "See you then."
I went to wash my face and chose out the white dress James gave me 3 Christmases ago. When I showed James my outfit he looked at me and smiled. "You still have that dress." "Of course, I could never throw away a gift from my lovely boyfriend." I then noticed his suit, it was also the gift I gave him that Christmas. "You're also wearing the suit.." "Yeah, you told me to wear it on special occasions, tonight is special." When he said I couldn't help but smile and blush a little.