A Christmas To Remember: Mr. Leonardo, love was not the plan!

-If you’re gay, now will be a good time to come out. - I had been staring at this part of the message my elder sister sent to me for the past minute. I stared at it for so long and still didn’t understand it. So, I decided to read it again. Hoping that somehow, it would make sense. - Hey, girl. It’s Christmas Eve in a few days!! - Of course. It’s Christmas again… Yay. -You’re going to be at the family house, right? And you’re bringing your man this time, right? You have to. Mom is worried about you. And if you’re gay, now will be a good time to come out. You're not gay, right? - The text read, and I just stared at my phone. Not knowing if to smash it or send a long-ass text back to Emily, explaining to her that just because she is married and has three BEAUTIFUL kids, doesn’t make her any better than me. It's not my fault I'm single! I too would love to wear matching pajamas with someone and kiss him under the mistletoe. But life apparently doesn’t want that for me. I’ll be going to Florida in two days, and once again, my single ass will be going without a man. How do I explain to my mother that it has become some unintentional, jinxed tradition for me to always be single by the holidays? I can’t remember the last time I got a Valentine’s gift, a new year kiss, or even a Christmas present from a boyfriend. Honestly, it’s the consistency for me. I’m always single by Christmas. Even my snap streaks have never lasted this long. I’m always in and out of talking stages, and situationships. If it were a sport, I'd be a gold medalist by now. "Another shot, please!" I say to the bartender as I push my cup to him, and he gives me a look before taking the cup. I have been drinking for the past few minutes -If not half an hour- but I still feel like s**t. So, until I start feeling different, I’ll keep drinking. My shot arrives, and I gulp it down before requesting yet another one. I promised myself I wouldn’t cry anymore, and I won’t break that promise tonight. I’ll drink my worries away and find whatever happiness I can before going home to my wonderfully exasperating family. Surely, I can’t be what I’m not. No one wants me, and my family will just have to accept it. They should love me now, cause next year, I might just become a nun. My love life is a disaster. But hey, at least I'm not a character in a rom-com. Yet. My favorite song by Miley Cyrus comes up, and I find myself hating how much I can relate to it. “I can buy myself flowers! Write my name in the sand! Talk to myself for f*****g hours in the shower! Say things you won’t understand! “I scream at the top of my lungs, even though I know that I sound like a dying horse. “Yeah, I can love me better than you can! “I keep singing along dramatically as I think about how my Christmas will once again be ruined, and suddenly, someone sits beside me. “Nice voice. “The smooth baritone voice says, and I scoff. “You should hear me in the shower. Ariana’s got nothing on me “I reply, and at the sound of BEAUTIFUL laughter, I finally look up. Holy mother of… Hercules… Is that you?? “Jesus… “I mutter before I can stop myself, and the dashing man chuckles. “I’m Leonardo. “He says, extending a hand to me, but I just blink back. Staring at the piece of art who looks like he just came here from a movie set. “U-huh… “I reply and he laughs again. How can someone be so beautiful? So flawless. He’s in a plain black T-shirt and khaki pants. He is BUILT, has the most beautiful brown eyes I have ever seen, has dirty blonde hair, and his smile… I don’t know if it’s the alcohol, but it took me a while to realize that I had been gawking at him, while he had just been smiling back the entire time. “I’m so sorry. f**k… Uh…I’m… I’m Becky. I’ll understand if you keep your distance for the rest of the night. I… I didn’t mean to be weird, you just so… wow. “I finally spoke, and he chuckled. His eyes crinkling at the corners as he smiles at me “You’re really drunk, aren’t you? “He laughs, and I give him a look. “You have no idea. “ “Well, thank you for your compliment. I feel flattered that a pretty lady like you finds me good-looking. It’s a real confidence boost. “He says, and I give him a look. Did this Greek God just call me pretty? Me???? I feel my cheeks heat up, and I quickly look away. “You’re cute. “He smiles, and I turn back to him. Unable to hide my blush. “Oh, stop it. You’ll make me go red. “I chuckle with the wave of a hand, and he chuckles again. “I was only being honest. But I’ll stop if you want me to. “He says, and I am so close to asking him if he’s a model or a movie star as I watch him place his order. “So, what’s a fine woman like you doing here alone at this time? Isn’t this like… The period couples show off? “He then speaks, and I scoff. “I could ask you the same. “I reply, and he chuckles. “Oh, I’m single. “He laughs, and my jaw drops. “No way… “I reply in disbelief, and he laughs. “Yes way. I’ve been single for about 3 years now, and my family is up my ass, asking me to bring a wife home. They’ve even started thinking I’m gay. “He says, and my jaw drops. The coincidence is almost alarming. “Shut… up. No freaking way. Me too! “I exclaim before picking my phone up and showing him the message my elder sister sent to me a few minutes ago. He reads it and laughs, and then he pulls out his phone and shows me a message. “This one’s from my dad. “He informs me, and when I read the message, my jaw drops. -Boy, Santa better be dropping your girlfriend through my chimney this Christmas, or we’re about to have a big problem!!! - I can’t help my laughter as I return the phone to him, and he joins me. “So, we’re both just rejects from the holiday romance club, huh? ”I say laughing, and he laughs harder. I didn’t think I’d be laughing so heartily tonight, but it feels a bit better to know that I’m not the only one who faces such inconsiderate pressure from family. “Now, I know misery loves company. It feels good to know I’m not the only one being tormented by their family. I mean, they act like a proper relationship in this day and age is something you can just order online, and nurture till the holidays. It’s not like Christmas just gives you partners. “I say, and he starts laughing. “You are hilarious! “He laughs, and I scoff. “Oh, please. When the alcohol wears off, I’m the most boring person to be with. You’ll probably kick me to the curb then. “I reply and he just stares at me. “I doubt that. I am so glad I got to meet you tonight. The heavens knew I needed a good laugh. I think it will be fun to have you around on an exhausting day. You’re like a breath of fresh air. “He says, and I smile at him. “Thank you. “I mumble as my cheeks begin to heat up again, and I stare at my empty glass. “So, why is a handsome man like you single? “I question, and he shrugs. “I don’t know. I guess after my last relationship. I just… dissociated. I haven’t found a girl who makes me want to… try again. You know what I mean? “He replies, and I nod. “I do… “I say with a nod, and his smile grows. “Well, I wish my dad did. If there was a way to get him off my back this holiday, I’ll grab it. I can’t stand another Christmas with him nagging nonstop about how he wants a grandson before he dies. “He rants, and I listen to him. “You have just your dad to deal with. But in my family, they treat relationships like a Christmas checklist. If you’re not paired off by the end of the year, you’re the broken toy they toss in the corner. And I’ve had to deal with that for years now. This year’s torture will be in two days. ”I say as emotions surge through me, and his expression softens. “That sounds rough. I wish I could be of help. “He says, and I freeze when a bold idea comes to my mind. Normally, I would keep the f**k shut and think things through, but I guess the alcohol has made me bold. And besides…What do I have to lose? “I’m about to say something crazy. “I suddenly say to him, and he gives me a look. “How crazy? “He questions, and I smirk. “Crazy, crazy. You might even think I’m nuts… “I reply, and he leans in. “Try me. “He whispers, and my smirk grows.