If Santa had a Son

Chapter 20 - The Truth

Chapter 20

The Truth

The next few days I spent in my room, under my quilt, hiding from the light. I didn't feel like getting up to do anything, even open Christmas presents on Christmas morning. Yes, my mom, Kayla, Mackenzie, and my grandma all tried to get me out of my room, but I refused. I had locked the door and it wasn't opening for anyone. Not even Mackenzie, she had been sleeping in Kayla's room. Several times she had tried to get me to open my door so she could get some clothes, but I didn't respond.

I was still trying to figure out why I was so depressed about it. Turns out, I think I was more upset about Anthony not answering his phone. I needed him, I thought he cared, turns out I was wrong. He refused to even talk to me, which hurt deeper than the death of my abusive father.

On Christmas night, I lay awake in bed, staring at the white ceiling that was lit up only by the light the moon provided. My stomach growled. I hadn't eaten for three days, but I wasn't getting up to get food.

I knew I should, but I just couldn't bring myself to move from my squishy bed. Everything was silent. My family had gone to bed long ago. The only noise came from my shallow, uneven breaths. It was about three in the morning, but for some reason, I couldn't sleep. Probably because, in the past three days, I had gotten more sleep than I had that whole week.

Suddenly, there was a clank. I turned over, trying to figure out what it was. Clank. Silence. Another clank. Silence for a few moments. I sat up, staring at my window, which is where I thought it was coming from. A rock flew up and hit the glass, creating the clanking sound, before flying back down to the ground. Curious, I pushed myself out of bed with a groan and walked over to the window. I pushed it open, hit by a blast of cool air.

"Ow!" I exclaimed, stumbling back as a rock hit my head. I hadn't even gotten to see who was throwing the rocks. "Who's there?" I asked weakly, bending down so I couldn't get hit by anymore flying objects.

"Bree?" Someone asked. I froze. "Did I hit you? I'm so sorry!" I poked my head over the ledge, peering down to see Anthony standing on my lawn.

"What the hell do you want?" I hissed, glancing behind me. Good, no one was up. Yet. "You've been ignoring me for days!" He scratched the back of his neck, shifting his weight around.

"I'm sorry, I was really busy." He pleaded, "Come downstairs, I have a Christmas present for you." I bit my lip. I was so conflicted. I wanted so badly to be mad at him, but I couldn't quite manage it.

"Fine," I huffed after an internal battle. "One minute." I closed the window silently and quickly ran into my bathroom. Ew, my hair was nasty. Of course, that is expected because I hadn't touched it for three days.

I quickly ran a brush through it and shoved my oily hair into a messy bun. Then I grabbed a gray tank top, shoved it on instead of my Happy Bunny shirt and slipped into some green sweat pants.

As an afterthought I scrubbed my teeth for a few seconds, making sure to use my minty toothpaste. If I had to talk to him, I didn't want nasty breath. Then I silently crept down the stairs, wincing every time they creaked. Stupid stairs! Why couldn't they be silent?! When I opened the front door, Anthony was waiting on the porch. His brown hair was slightly messier than usual, but his brown eyes sparkled.

"Hey," He said, shoving his hands in his coat pocket. Why didn't I get my jacket? It was freezing and I was wearing a tank top!

"Hey," I whispered, closing the door silently behind me. Why was I smiling? I was supposed to be mad at him!

"I'm really sorry I didn't answer your calls, I've been busy..." He trailed off, looking uncomfortable. I rose an eyebrow, hoping he would continue, but he didn't.

"I..I guess it's okay..." I stuttered. What was I supposed to say? 'Oh, no, I hate you now 'cuz I needed you and you didn't answer?' I don't think so, because I wasn't even mad anymore. Something about his eyes made that emotion melt away.

"No, it's not," He said quietly, taking a step towards me. "You needed me after the death of your father, and I wasn't there. I am a horrible friend..." My mouth dropped open, my heart speeding up a little.

"H..How did you know?" His cheeks turned a light shade of pink as he looked away, but he didn't speak.

"Here," He said, shoving a wooden box in my hands. "Merry Christmas." I stared at the box in my hands, completely forgetting that he knew about my father. It was a plain little box with a golden clasp. I unhooked the clasp and pushed it open, revealing a small necklace with a red stone heart on it.

I pulled it out slowly, completely fascinated by the little stone. It was so beautiful.

"Breathe on it," Anthony said, making me jump. He had moved behind me and was so close I could feel his breath on my neck.

"Excuse me?" I asked, making a face. Did he say what I thought he said?

"Breathe on it," He repeated. Yup, he said what I thought he said.

Slowly, I blew on the necklace. It started to sparkle in the darkness, lighting up a pretty gold color. Suddenly, there were words on the red stone.

Bree,

Merry Christmas

Love,

Anthony

The letters were small, gold, and curly. I gasped, my eyes widening. What caused that?

"How...?" I breathed, turning to face Anthony. He was smiling. He stood so close our chests almost touched. Once again, I could feel heat radiating off of his body in waves.

"Magic," He said mysteriously, "The letters will only show when you breathe on it...Because you're the one who holds my heart..." He looked down, blushing a bright red color. Did he just say...? Oh my God, he did just say that! My heart was pounding out of my chest as I threw my arms around him, probably squeezing the life out of his poor body.

He pulled back just enough to press his lips lightly to mine. It was short and sweet and left me smiling.

"I have another surprise." He said, grabbing my hand. He pulled me out into the yard, telling me to close my eyes.

"Why?" I asked. If you couldn't tell, I hated surprises.

"Just do it." He ordered, taking my hands and covering my eyes. He kissed my smiling lips. I frowned. "I've never told you who my dad is. I've never been able to share that kind of thing with anyone, but with you...It's different. I think you need to know."

"What are you talking about, Anthony?"

"Just trust me," he whispered, placing another soft kiss on my lips. It lingered, making my heart do somersaults. When you see what I'm about to show you, you'll know what I mean." Suddenly, I could hear him walking away from me. "Keep those eyes covered!" He called as if sensing I was about to peak.

I laughed but kept my hands covering my eyes. I couldn't hear him walking away anymore, but I didn't look. He would've been upset if I had.

"Okay, open your eyes!" He called. I did and searched for him. He wasn't in my lawn, or anywhere I could see. "Merry Christmas, Bree!"

I looked up to where the voice had come. He was flying, yes actually flying, in a red slay. Wait, Santa's slay? I could see the reindeer, and Anthony waving down at me, but nothing else.

My mouth fell open in shock. What the hell?! What kind of trick was this? How did he manage to get the reindeer and slay to fly?

But then, that made sense. That's how he got the necklace to have the hidden message. Magic. That's how he was always so warm. That's how he knew things about me he couldn't possibly know.

So Santa had a son...

Now that's just crazy.