After the Snow

Chapter 18 - Santa's Workshop

Chapter 18

Santa's Workshop

Anthony led me out of Santa's office and back outside, where we finally decided to eat at a quiet little coffee shop. He wasn't talking to me ask much, only when it was completely necessary. I felt bad, but at the same time, I didn't know why he had to make it so awkward. In the spur of a moment I had said something stupid, everyone does it.

I guess what made this situation different from others was we both knew that I had meant what I said. I really did want to be with him still, despite the fact that I knew Scott was back at home. A part of me knew this lust made me a horrible person, but the other justified it by saying that Scott hated my guts, and would probably never speak to me again.

How had I managed to make life so complicated for myself? One minute life seemed so perfect, then Anthony came back. What had possessed me to say yes when Scott proposed to me? At the time I had known I still had feelings for Anthony, but I decided to push them away because I knew he was out of the question.

It was getting increasingly harder, though, not to just blurt out the words 'I love you.' They were true, because I did still love Anthony, and every second I spent around him I seemed to fall more and more in love. I hated myself for it, but there was just something about him, something that made me want more than just a friendship.

Anthony, sitting across from me at our table, was scanning the room and bouncing his leg nervously. He looked like a deer that was about to be pounced on by a lion; cautious and scared. I didn't know what to do or say, so I stared at my twiddling thumbs, waiting for our food to be ready.

Surprisingly, it was Anthony who broke the silence. "I'll have you home by tonight, don't worry." I looked up, staring at him with wide eyes. The sudden sound of his voice had caught me off guard.

"Don't worry about it, it's no big deal," Even though I knew my family was probably going to start worrying about me when it got dark, I didn't really care. The last thing I wanted to do was go back and have to deal with Scott. It was much more peaceful at the North Pole.

"People will start worrying, I'll get you home," He said stubbornly, still not looking at me. His eyes were focused somewhere over my left shoulder, but I knew for a fact we were the only ones in the coffee shop at the time. Other than the elf workers, who were all in the back.

"I said it's fine!" I exclaimed, deciding I had had enough of his childish attitude. "What's your deal?! I said one stupid thing and you shut me out?!" He opened his mouth to answer, but I wasn't finished. "It's because I still love you, okay? There, I said it, and we both know it's true because someone didn't have the balls to break his stupid magic spell thingy."

At this point, he was glaring at me. His face had turned slightly red in anger, but, knowing I wasn't done with my furious rant, had clamped his mouth firmly shut.

"We both know what happens at the end of today..." I lowered my voice, a pang pulling at my heart and my stomach twisting. "Your dad made that perfectly clear. But, before I never get to see you again, can we please have just one day of being ourselves...No acts or anything, just us, please..."

For a moment, I just knew he was going to say no, and I would be humiliated. It had taken everything I had to say those words, every ounce of courage I had ever built up, and he was going to shoot me down. But then, something changed in his eyes. Instead of the cold, hard wall, they softened, and his shoulders drooped in defeat.

"Fine," My heart soared at his half-whispered word, "But there has to be rules...Just one day, until I take you back to your mom's house, and then that's it. For the rest of the day we let things happen naturally, and then a clean break. Am I clear?" I nodded vigorously, thrilled at the idea. Yes, after a few short hours I would never get to see Anthony again, but at least I had those hours where we could just be ourselves and hang out.

"Here you are," Said a short elf named Maybelle, who I had met earlier, coming up with our tray of food and drinks. Anthony stood up to take them from her, giving her a hearty smile.

"Thanks, Maybelle, you're the best," Anthony beamed, swooping down to give her a kiss on the cheek. Maybelle, as Anthony had told me, had been his baby sitter when he was a little kid. She had long, graying hair that was pulled into pig tales. Despite her old age, her cheeks were still rosy red, and her blue eyes still shone with bright life.

"Kiss up," She laughed, shooing him away, although a pleased smile had appeared on her lips. "Can I get you guys anything else?"

"I think we're fine, thank you," I gave her a hearty smile and watched her disappear back into the kitchen. "She's sweet," I mused, grabbing my hot chocolate from Anthony.

"Maybelle? Yeah, she's the best. She's kinda like a mom to me since...." He trailed off, immediately looking uncomfortable. This was only the second time he had brought it up, but his mom had passed away a long time ago. I didn't push the issue but instead racked my brain for a change of subject.

"So, what're we doing today?" I asked, grabbing my tuna salad sandwich from the plate set in front of me. Anthony, looking grateful for the change of subject, became more enthusiastic.

"Well, if you promise not to tell anyone, I guess I could show you Santa's workshop..."

"I promise!" I said immediately, involuntarily leaning forward in my seat. Two hours ago, I would've said you were mental if you had asked me to see Santa's workshop, but, after what I had been told, I actually couldn't wait to see it.

"Then maybe we could go ice skating or something," He shrugged, trying to hide his amusement at my excitement. For the rest of the meal we didn't talk much, but that was mainly because my mouth was constantly stuffed with food.

I wasn't sure if I was genuinely excited about Santa's Workshop, or if I just needed more proof to make this crazy truth become even more of a reality. But either way, Anthony wasn't eating fast enough. He was eating extremely slow on purpose, just to watch me squirm. I was done way before him, and bouncing up and down in my seat.

"You eat like a snail," I huffed. He snorted, effectively choking on the long gulp of coffee he had been drinking, which made me laugh and earned me a hard kick on the shins. "Hey, that's not nice!"

"Neither is calling me a snail," Anthony retorted. I stuck my tongue out at him and crossed my arms, rolling my eyes. Finally, he put the last piece of food in his mouth and sipped the last of his drink. "Okay, now I'm-"

"Come on!" I exclaimed, jumping to my feet and pulling him from the table. Yes, I was aware I was acting more or less like a three-year-old, but this was my day to be myself, and I didn't have to pretend to be more mature than I actually was. Let's face it, we all have a child inside of us.

"Bye Maybelle!" Anthony called over his shoulder as the shop door closed behind us. We were back in the cold snow, and I immediately started to shiver.

"Where are we going?" I asked, looking around frantically. There wasn't a building that said 'Santa's Workshop' on the front, so I had no idea where to go. Anthony, on the other hand, had grown up here and knew exactly where to go. But for some reason was taking immense pleasure in my agony.

"Close your eyes, and I'll lead you there," He smirked down at me, making my stomach flip.

"But what if I-"

"Do it, Bree," He chuckled, stepping behind me and placing his hands over my eyes. Even though he wasn't wearing gloves, they were still pretty warm. He stood so close his chest touched my back, and I stiffened involuntarily from the contact.

"You're ridiculous," I laughed but allowed him to steer me in an unknown direction. If I had opened my eyes, all I would've seen was Anthony's palms, because he kept his hands firmly planted on my face the whole time.

I hated surprises with a burning passion, especially when someone made me cover my eyes. It wasn't that I didn't trust Anthony, it was that I was afraid he wouldn't pay attention and let me run into something. With my luck, it would be a heavy something I could knock over and make a huge crashing sound, break the object, or even kill myself.

Yes, I realize that is a totally unrealistic fear and that Anthony would keep me safe, but that didn't stop me from keeping my hands stretched out in front of me just to make sure. A couple of times I think I stepped on Anthony's toes because I refused to pick my feet very far off the ground, but he had the good common sense not to mention it. If he had, I would've snapped at him.

After a good long walk, I felt the climate change. It went from cold wind to warm air. The room we were now in smelt like freshly baked cookies. There were loud chattering noises that filled my ears, which sounded like a ton of little voices talking at once. A big smile grew on my face. I knew where we were.

"Ta-da," Anthony announced, finally removing his hands from my face. Bright colors covered every corner of the room. Red, gold, green, silver; you name it, and it was there. Several tables stretched out across the floor, which elves were working at. There were also conveyor belts with toys lined along them.

"Oh my god," I breathed, spinning around to take it all in. You can't just see Santa's workshop and not be speechless. Well, you could, but not me. It was like a childhood dream come true, and no matter how stupid it sounded I was super excited.

"Here," Anthony chuckled, shoving something in my hand. I looked at it. There, in my hand, was one of the most delicious looking snacks I had ever seen. It was a long chocolate covered pretzel that had marshmallows sticking out of either end. Little flakes of peppermint had been sprinkled on, as well.

I didn't even question where he had gotten this sudden treat, I just started munching happily. It was delicious. At that moment, I wasn't worried about Scott or the wedding. I wasn't worried about my family, friends, or life back home. The only thing that mattered was Anthony. Deep down inside, I knew it was wrong, but I didn't even care.