A picture on Santa's lap?

Isabella

It's okay, Isabella, you still have three weeks to stay here, you don't need to attack the guy like that from one moment to the next, no matter how tempting it is, because in those three days we will be quite busy.

With that thought in mind I went to Gustaf in the lobby, he was carrying all the boxes away from the fireplace, separating some.

I kept silent, leaning against a wooden column, watching the way the muscles in his arms stood out with the effort, even though he was wearing a long"sleeved t"shirt.

" 'Are you going to help me or just watch me? " he asked as he bent down to pick up another box, giving me a privileged view.

I could have felt embarrassed about being caught spying, but I didn't really care.

" 'I'm tempted to keep looking,' I teased him, getting a laugh in return.

"These boxes here are from the fireplace decoration, I thought I'd decorate everything, and in the end, just put the armchairs in place," he pointed as I approached.

I bent down, opening one of the boxes, sitting on the floor before starting to remove the garlands from inside.

Gustaf sat down next to me, starting to untangle the ornaments, we worked in a comfortable silence for a few minutes, limiting ourselves to exchanging the occasional glance. 

" So, what's your problem with Christmas? " he broke the silence.

" Problem?

I stopped what I was doing, devoting my attention to him.

" 'You seem to hate it, you've never put up a tree, that's a problem.

Hate... I don't hate Christmas, I never did. In fact, the date has always been insignificant to me.

" 'I don't hate it, but when you're alone all the time, you lose the will to celebrate these things,' I shrugged.

" 'Were you alone after the Monaghan's moved in? " he gave me a brief look as I went back to sorting the decorations. 

I thought for a moment before answering, that was a delicate subject that I didn't usually share with just anyone, but maybe it was the time, the place, or even the fact that Gustaf was practically a stranger, but before I knew it, I was already opening up.

" 'I was alone before, and then, they came along and we didn't separate anymore, but even while we were together, it wasn't a celebratory date for either of us,' I shrugged, reaching out to grab another box.

My heart raced as I opened the box, looking at the contents. Gustaf was still talking to me, but I couldn't pay attention to what he was saying anymore.

" Hey, tell me something, was this supposed to be broken? 

I held up several red and blue shards, which were probably the colored balls we would use to decorate the garlands.

Gustaf was out of action for a second, before crawling over to where I was standing, looking inside the box.

" Is there nothing left?

" These crumpled bells.

We both stood in silence, thinking about how this would hinder our progress, but it didn't take him long to make a decision.

" Open the other boxes, see if there are any more broken ornaments, I'll call my cousin and ask him to stay with Danny until lunch " Gustaf stood up already taking his cell phone, while I followed his instruction.

In the end, we would have to replace most of the decorations, so after a few minutes of putting on all the layers of clothes needed to face the freezing temperatures outside, we both went out shopping.

Gustaf and I walked side by side through the streets of the North Pole, the sun had already risen, illuminating every detail of that peculiar city. After the initial surprise, I could not deny the charm of that place with all the Christmas decorations.

" Santa's house is a few blocks in that direction, we'll find everything there " he indicated.

I nodded, still admiring the contrast of all the white snow with the colorful Christmas decorations.

" Is that a man's coat? " Gustaf asked after taking a closer look at me.

" 'Yes, I got it from Zach's closet, I thought it would go better with this outfit,' I explained.

That statement drew a laugh from the boy.

" 'Shouldn't you raid Gwen's closet?

" 'And whose boots do you think those are? " 'It's the only thing of hers that fits me!

" How did you two meet? " Gustaf wanted to know, walking with his hands in his pockets.

" In high school. I was new to the school, I had just been expelled from the last one for puting booze in the punch at the spring dance " I related. 

I thought he would find the story funny, like everyone else, but no, he stayed serious.

" Did you put booze in the punch? 

" 'I put Vodka and Tequila in it, a student got very sick and ended up in hospital all night,' I sighed.

I wasn't proud of that feat, but I couldn't change what had happened.

" 'You seemed like the partying type,' his gaze on me became analytical.

" "Yeah, I was the guarantee that the party would be fun, I would always get drinks and come up with the craziest things," I admitted a little awkwardly.

" 'And you're still like that?

His gaze on me was increasingly intense, making me uncomfortable.

" 'About drinks or crazy things? " I stopped walking, frowning as I watched the man.

When he realized that I was no longer by his side, Gustaf returned, facing me, still with that indecipherable expression on his face.

" Usually madness and drinking go hand in hand. Do you ever drink? " he shrugged.

What exactly does he want to know, is this some kind of flirtation?

" Are you asking me out for a drink? If so, you were doing better before.

Gustaf gave a half"hearted smile before walking back, and I hurried to keep up with him.

" 'The store is just over there,' he pointed, changing the subject.

I felt a little bewildered by his behavior, but that feeling was soon forgotten when I spotted the large white building with red details.

I was amazed by the amount of decorations available there, that place was undoubtedly magical, and even I, who never cared about that date, felt complete at that moment.

" So, you said you met at the new school? " Gustaf picked up on the previous subject as he guided me to the decorations area.

" When I started at the new school I felt terrible because of the situation of the boy who was hospitalized, that's when I decided I wouldn't get involved in that kind of situation again, but with my personality there was only one way to guarantee that, so on my first day of school, at lunchtime I looked around, I found the table where a boy with slanted eyes and an expression that resembled a maniacal psychopath was sitting alone and I thought, no one will ever invite this guy to a party.

That last statement drew a laugh from Gustaf, breaking the awkward mood that had formed between the two of us.

" So what?

" I sat with him, and it was the biggest social suicide in the history of that school. We were never invited to anything " I couldn't help a small smile coming to my lips " What do you say we take the gold ornaments instead of the blue ones? 

" Of course. 'So you and Zachary met before?

I sighed, remembering that time, it wasn't something I often thought about, in fact, I preferred to pretend it didn't happen.

" Gwen arrived at school a few days later, and she sure kept her distance from Zachary and I, getting involved with the popular ones. She was pretty and charismatic, not hard to get along with.

I picked up some teddy bears with striped scarves from the shelves, showing them to Gustaf afterwards.

" Do you like them? We can take it," he assured me.

" We didn't become friends until a few weeks later, when one of her so"called friends found out about her family situation and spread it to everyone at school. Gwen was devastated and since I knew Zachary had a crush on her, I decided to intervene " I grabbed a string of blinkers " do we have enough of that?" he assured. 

" Yes, we do " he assured me " How did you intervene?

" 'I warned her she'd better leave Gwendolyn alone or I'd break her nose. I never had to carry out the threat and Gwen identified with our group.

I finished the story, Gustaf watching me with an amused expression.

" 'And you've been friends ever since?

" 'They are my family, we went to the same college, and we were neighbors until they moved away.

I felt melancholy thinking about that time, I didn't feel so lonely having them so close to me. I gave up on one of the ornaments, returning it to the shelf with a sigh. 

Gustaf seemed to have noticed my change of mood, as he came closer, putting his hand on my shoulder.

" 'How would you like to get over your fear of Santa Claus? 

" What?

Gustaf pointed to an area where a large armchair was in evidence and a man dressed as Santa Claus was walking.

" 'Are you serious? 'I'm not afraid of Santa Claus,' I mumbled.

" "Then you can go over there and take a picture with him," Gustaf turned to face me, looking into my eyes.

" "I can go over there and sit on his lap now," I said back.

" 'I'll only believe it if you do,' he said back.

The intensity in his gaze made my heart race and the tension between us was almost palpable.

" 'Is this a challenge, darling? I might surprise you.

A small smile appeared on his face, causing a slight tingle in my intimate area.

" 'I have no doubt about that, Isabella. But you won't get away that easy.

I narrowed my eyes before turning my back on him, walking towards Santa's armchair.

" Isabella? " he followed me closely.

" 'You better get your cell phone ready, Gustaf,' I warned him.

" Are you serious?

Without bothering to answer, I went straight to the man dressed as Santa Claus, Elliot Jones if I remember correctly. 

" 'Hey Santa, can we take a picture? " I caught his eye.

" 'Ho ho ho, of course we can, young lady,' he declared in a typical voice that almost made me roll my eyes before he approached.

" 'Aren't you going to sit down? " ' I forced a smile when I saw that he intended to remain standing next to me.

" Sit down? " he frowned.

" 'Yes, my friend over there sent me to take a picture sitting on Santa's lap,' I pointed to Gustaf, who was watching the scene with amusement.

The man seemed speechless at my explanation.

" 'Did Bergqvist tell you to sit on my lap? " the man asked, stepping out of character for the first time.

 

" 'You can thank me later, Elliot,' Gustaf joked, receiving a thumbs"up from his friend.

I rolled my eyes, getting ready for the photo, I sat on one of the man's legs, offering my best smile while Gustaf photographed us.

" Are you ready? " I stood up quickly.

" You can take another one, to make sure it's good," Elliot Jones proposed.

" 'I'm sure it looks great,' I retorted.

Gustaf put his cell phone away still smiling, but if he thinks he's going to get away with this so easily, he's wrong.

" Your turn, Gustaf.

" What? " He raised both eyebrows.

" I took my picture, now you sit on Santa's lap " I smiled, to the surprise of the fake Santa.

" 'Guys, can we set a weight limit? " Elliot proposed, looking worried.

" 'That's not going to happen, Isabella,' Gustaf denied.

" 'Come on, don't tell me you're afraid of Santa Claus? 

With an amused expression, Gustaf leaned down, coming closer to my face. For a moment I thought he was going to kiss me, making my heart pound harder, but contrary to what I expected, he stopped just inches from my face.

" 'The point is, I'm not going to fall for such a childish tease,' he scoffed, running his index finger along the tip of my nose, circling it until it brushed against my lips.

And to my utter frustration " and Elliot Jones' relief " he walked away, leaving me behind.

" 'Come on, we've still got an inn to decorate, Izzy.