It's the Most Terrible Time of the Year

Sadly, I knew that I had no other choice then to go back to my apartment, unless of course I wanted to freeze out in this weather which didn’t sound too bad at the moment compared to the torture I would have to endure inside.

I was debating just that as I stood outside the apartment building. My hot chocolate was still in my hands, though I don’t think you could consider it hot chocolate anymore since it was more lukewarm now.

Now that I had cooled down from my episode I began feeling guilty. The weird thing was that I felt guiltier about being rude to that stranger more than anything else. Don’t get me wrong I felt bad for blowing up in Carter’s face. After all he was only trying to be nice to me, but I had done and said worst things to the kid.

I took a long sip, tasting the rich chocolate flavor, to stall for as long as I could before I walked inside feeling the cold winter winds replaced by artificial heat.

A shiver spread through my body at the sudden temperature change. It would take a while before I was completely thawed out.

I didn’t waste anytime in the foyer area and quickly made my way towards the stairs knowing that the piece of crap elevator would be out of order again.

My footsteps echoed eerily in the cement stairway and I was suddenly glad that I lived on the second floor. I always found walking up the stairs alone…chilling. I shivered again, this time the cold was not to blame.

I soon made it to my floor and walked passed a few rooms before finally stepping in front my door, seeing an overly adorned wreath hanging off of it making me groan.

Suddenly I would have rather been with an exceedingly flirty Carter or out in the freezing weather than enter my apartment, but I decided to suck it up. I had to go inside sometime.

To delay going inside even further I reached inside the clothed confinement of my jeans feeling my keys brush against my finger tips before pulling them out, hearing them jingle loudly.

Before I could unlock the door though I heard another being opened somewhere in the hall and I turned my head in the direction of where the sound was coming from only to meet my next door neighbor Rosie.

She was an older lady who lived by herself, and no she didn’t have with an excessive amount of cats.

She just happened to be one of the people I wasn't completely horrendous to.

There was just something about Rosie that I liked. I looked at her a felt my lips twitch upward for a moment and watched as she gave me a humble smile in return.

She had the smile of all smiles.

“Hello Keira.” She spoke softly.

“Hey Rosie.” I greeted back in a tone that was rare for me, it was almost friendly. I would have sounded nicer if it wasn’t for the incident that had happened earlier today.

“I hope you have a nice Christmas, and feel free to come over if you get lonely.”

Rosie knew that I was spending Christmas alone but didn’t try and force me to spend it with her like everyone else seemed to be doing.

“Will do.” I waved as I unlocked my door.

“My nephew would really enjoy the company.” She added with a smile.

I was a bit curious to know who Rosie’s nephew was but I kept my mouth closed not wanting to be nosy.

As I entered my apartment I couldn’t help but let out an audible groan. It was even worse then I remembered; if that were even possible. I shut the door behind me and was greeted by Frenchy and Rizzo, my roommate's dogs.

Even they seemed to have Christmas cheer as they wore their ridiculous matching green and red sweaters proudly.

Suddenly as I was walking into the room, making sure that I avoided stepping on the dogs, I stumbled on a suitcase placed by the door. My eyebrows rose in question, I thought everyone had left to the airport already?

I soon saw Annie and her boyfriend Ryder step into the living appearing disheveled and realized what had happened. I guess I had interrupted them while they were in the middle of a make out session.

I laughed at their appearance.

They were probably trying to sneak some last minute sex before they left to Annie’s parents to spend the holidays.

“Hi Keira.” Annie spoke seemingly out of breath with a bashful look on her face.

“Hey, sorry for interrupting.” I answered brushing past the pair heading to my room not wanting to lounge in the trashed living room. That was until I felt Annie’s hand on my arm.

I turned around to acknowledge her, seeing Ryder shake his head disapprovingly as he situated himself on the couch obviously not wanting to be involved. That when I knew what was going to come out of her mouth.

“Um…Keira I know you don’t like the holidays and all but I really don’t want you spending them alone.” She said placing her hands on my freezing ones caringly. The tone of her voice resembled Carter’s but I managed to keep my anger in check this time.

My stomach filled with dread at what I knew she was about to ask…again. I mentally sighed.

“Do you want to spend the holidays with me and my family?” She asked hopefully. “It’s your last chance to change your mind, Em and Kyle left a little while ago.”

I kept quiet not knowing exactly how to let her down.

She sighed when I didn’t say anything for a while. She knew my answer already.

“It’s okay Annie. I’ll be fine.” I answered with a dismissive flick of my wrist as I saw her optimistic face fall. A wave of guilt flooded through me seeing her disappointed expression.

Annie had been my roommate and friend for years. She had the biggest heart known to mankind but it was as fragile as glass and I surely did not want to be the one to break her heart on the holidays.

“Besides you mother hates me.” I added trying to sound civil and hide my annoyance.

She laughed at the truth of my last comment and I felt better knowing that I had put a smile on her face, even though her persistence was getting under my skin.

She unexpectedly gave me a tight hug as if to say goodbye and I meekly returned it. The tenderness of her embrace made me uncomfortable.

“I’ll miss you Keira.” She mumbled into my jacket, her voice wavering slightly making me feel awkward.

I really hope she wasn’t crying over me. It would make me feel even guiltier than before.

“Yeah...um, tell your mom I said hi.” I teased as I pulled away from Annie seeing her glassy eyes clear up a bit as she laughed again at my trivial joke.

Not knowing what else to say I turned around from her ending our goodbye not wanting to see the frown that would probably smear on her face when she left. I mumbled a hasty farewell to Ryder and retreated into my room

Well I guess that was my good deed of the holidays.