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“You working tomorrow?” She asked, shuffling her papers about in one sleek straight pile.

“Good question,” I said. “Any reason you’re asking?”

“Because I can’t stand the thought of a day without your smiles,” She said, straight-faced. “Just answer the question, would you?”

“No, I should be at rehearsals, I think?”

“When are rehearsals?”

Then with a stroke of perfect timing, Amanda popped in with a text both with a venue and time – along with a message, “Don’t be late! <3"

.....

I pocketed my phone before Nick could see.

"Around two in the afternoon, apparently my debut scene is at a bar for some reason..."

"With a permit, I hope?" Irene said.

I just shrugged. "I hope."

"I see, well... well then," She cleared her throat for the final time. "Guess, I'll just see you when I see you."

I responded with a quick wave of goodbye. "See you."

And I forgot the 'Merry Christmas' again... ugh, I suck at this. Nick just fire me already, I'm never gonna get used to this.

An hour after Irene left, I was also finally done with my shift.

The door squeaked, and chimed a small merry jingle.

Momentarily, I stood in place, adjusting my gloves, refitting my coat – keeping my teeth from my chattering as the blistering cold hit me all at once.

Freezing doesn't even begin to describe the outdoors. Can't remember the last time I felt this kind of chills without also feeling a thick, white blanket beneath my boots. Suddenly working overtime doesn't sound bad when considering how nice and warm it was inside.

Seriously amazing it hasn't yet snowed all over the place.

"Need a ride?" offered the nice, wholesome lady back inside, leaning herself over behind the cafe counter. "Got a nice, warm empty sleigh parked just outside."

As opposed to braving the frozen winds, a warm leather seat to sit in while being chauffeured by the lady of the north was seriously a tempting proposal.

But alas, 'fraid she was simply just two days too late from me taking her up on her offer.

"No need," I said, waving a nearly quivering goodbye at her. "Got my own reindeer already, remember?"

"Ahh, right..." She recalled, faintly nodding, and waving back. "Then perhaps next time... you can give me a ride instead. Sometimes I tend to misplace my car keys, you know?"

"Just so long as it's not your phone again, you should be fine."

Hayley smiled at that, flaring her nostrils in slight amusement. "Ouch..."

Mustering a breath that almost froze solid my insides, I stepped out valiantly weathering the weather. Around the block was a small parking space for bikes and whatnot, and turning the corner, my hand was already digging around my coat pocket feeling around for the jingle-jangle of metal.

By the time I reached the end of the parking lot, I could practically see myself heaving and breathing misty breaths. It took a while to click the helmet around my head thanks to some thick gloves, even longer to pull myself out of the lot thanks to some nice folks' very considerate parking styles.

I twisted the ignition, revved the engine with a rumble, hearing the metal reindeer give a fine roar... before I was just another speeding blur in the streets, joining the bustle of other mechanical beasts.

Motorbikes weren't exactly my fondest sort of transportation. But when you happen to notice a bargain deal passing by a storefront one day, and when you consider the recent weather conditions, as well as your current means of travel – freezing your ass on a hard metal bench hoping to God the bus keeps on schedule – then that's when you realize that practicality and convenience was a whole better than saving a couple thousand bucks.

And besides... Ash seemed to be mighty fond of it herself, pretty much justifying the cost entirely. Adalia wasn't as fond, however – at least so long as I remember not to start near the driveway anyway.

The house was still quite a ways away, and right then, I'd seriously love nothing more than to curl myself up on the couch in a nice, warm blanket, yet alas... when the turn for home came steadily approached, I twisted the handlebar, picking up the pace, and breezing it right by.

Not done with the city just yet... gonna have to freeze my ass off just a bit longer.

I had some trouble finding a parking space that was A. safe B. not illegal and most importantly C. one I didn't have to pay for. In the end though, I could only settle for the first two options. Trying to cheapen mall visits, especially in hectic times as this... as they say, the house always wins.

As soon as I stepped foot into the complex, I could already hear the soul-crushing chimes of Christmas tunes blasting the speakers on a never-ending repeat. It's enough to drive a man mad, and judging by some gaunt-looking faces I passed by, I think a couple of employees here are one jingle bell away from dashing into oncoming traffic.

"Ah, I recognized that face! Was wondering when you'd be here," spoke a member of staff, approaching me the moment I strolled through their sliding glass doors, a smile ready to serve. "Today finally the day, I hope? A lucky girl finally in for a lovely surprise?"

I smiled back, and shook my head. "Just browsing through..."

"Ah, just the usual, hm? Shame," He said, feigning a disappointed sigh. "Well, if you need anything... you know what to do."

I looked around, taking in all the shimmering glow of silver, gold, and diamond, glistening in long narrow rows of glass cabinets and casings on display.

"That I do..." I muttered.

Jewelry was always a good choice when it came to Christmas gifts... get a girl a glittering diamond on her finger, or sparkling gold across her neck, or maybe even silver dangling around her wrist, make it a surprise – and boom, she'll love you forever.

Or at least that's what romcoms with Mom have taught me. Sadly, I fear reality was much more nuanced and complicated than that, not to mention... a hell of a lot more expensive too.

The price tags of some of these chunks of rock... no wonder you guys are always getting robbed in movies.

Getting a gift for one girl was already mind-boggling enough... but when you have several, and quite a short window of time to decide... that's when you know you're in trouble.

I'll never forgive myself if I turn up empty-handed on Christmas day. I have to give them something, I want to give them something... and I will.

It didn't have to be exclusively jewelry, it just had to be something... and it also had to be special – and so there I was, browsing every floor, and every outlet, scouring every inch for that something special.

But honestly, what do you get an Elf that's too modest to ask? A Matriarch too basic in her needs? How about a Succubus too invested with work to consider? Or an internet celeb that could so easily get anything she desires?

Cliche tells me there was no actual need to fret over this, that the true spirit of Christmas all along was our cherished time together. I say – that's not enough. They deserved more.

I'll get them more.

In the end, today's scouting job ended with nothing of interest to discover, and I left the mall and towards my bike, holding my gaze to the ground.

It's getting colder now, I noticed. And no doubt, it'll just get even more as time goes on... the evenings especially. Now that I was done wasting time, I should really be heading home, where it's warm, where it's just nice...

Except...

Across the street, I saw something fluttering with a gust of wind and landed in a curled bundle on the sidewalk.

A violet scarf.

Suddenly, a small, frail-looking girl came rushing from the side, huffing, puffing, shivering, her nose a bright, stuffy red from the cold, and she picked up the scarf, raising it up high with a beaming smile.

"Mom, look! Look! I got it! My scarf!" She happily squealed, on tiptoe, and nearly jumped in the air, the beanie on her head falling as a result. "It didn't fly away! I got it! Did you see?!"

"Yes, I did see! Good job!"

From the same direction, a woman slowly approached her, picking up the little girl in her arms, as well as her beanie, and holding onto her so tender and gentle.

"Alright, that's enough of the outdoors, right?" said the woman. "We played at the park, we got to see your presents, we really should be heading home, now. What do you think, Sarah?"

Sarah nodded, a little sleepily, snuggling comfortably beneath her mother's smiling lips. "I'm very cold, Mom."

Taking that as her cue, the woman held onto Sarah a little tighter, shielding her from the constant breeze, and began to walk away.

"Alright, dear..." She muttered, placing the beaning back onto her child's bald head. "Let's go home."

On my bike, helmet in both hands, I watch them disappear around the corner, leaving me alone and in ponder. If there's one thing I could take away from the scene just now was that the mother was right – enough of the outdoors already, it really was getting chilly.

I should go pay Sera a visit.