already secured a table and were sipping cocoa when they made it to the town center. Lucas waved back at them and was about to join the group when Rochelle pulled him over to the Starbucks station. He looked back at Cara. She met his gaze then strode toward his sister. The two hugged and left the table. Most likely to get their paper to hang on the tree . He wondered what Cara would write for a wish.
The original version of Jingle Bells floated in the air. A man in a Santa suit ringing his bell followed by three little people in Elves outfits urged the crowd to join the singing. Lucas took in the beauty of the surroundings. Trees bright with Christmas lights looked so pretty as if they were all covered with fireflies. The ten feet Christmas tree adorned with colorful ornaments from teddy bears to small bells stood in the middle of the village like a giant. Except, unlike a giant, the tree was mighty pretty. There was an atmosphere of excitement. Everyone was felicitous, enjoying their vacations, the holiday with pleasure obvious on their faces. He loved the holiday season, but right that moment all he wanted was Cara. To have her beside him. To feel her warmth and share his with her.
He spotted Cara and Amy again checking the table laden with all kinds of cakes specially baked for the auction. From where he stood, it looked like the two were bidding on every cake. He bet Amy would bid on a carrot cake and Cara on a double chocolate layered cake. It was incredible how the two could eat sweet desserts like hungry barbarians and still manage to keep their slim shapes. Good . At least scums selling diet pills wouldn't victimize them. Not that Amy and Cara were fool enough to fall for the scams. But there were those who fell victim to the lure of companies selling vitamins and medications to keep a slim waist. Why? Because society defined beauty as tall, slim and fat-free. Freaking shallow view and destructive. How many teenagers killed themselves because they thought they were too fat and unattractive?
Lucas felt a gentle touch on his arm. Rochelle held two cups of steamy hot lattes.
"Nine dollars, Lucas."
"I'll take care of it. Why don't you join my parents? I'll be right there."
"Sure, darling.” Rochelle smiled then sashayed her way to the table.
Lucas tried to get a glimpse of Amy and Cara, but the throng of people grew thicker by the minute. He paid for the coffee, greeted the young woman behind the counter a happy holiday, then wound his way to the spot where he last saw Cara. With his six feet and two inches height, he towered over most people. His height also gave him the advantage to spot the man Cara met earlier—Karsen. His gaze followed Karsen's line of vision.
Karsen looked in a hurry to reach Cara. Most likely to grab the paper Cara was in the process of tying on the highest part of the tree that she could reach. The man was surely pissing him off.
In his haste, Lucas nearly tripped on a little man whose head barely reached his knees.
"Hey, pal! Watch it. Little people around, you know."
"Sorry,” he quickly said then looked back at Karsen who, despite the noise, must have heard the little man's voice.
To Lucas's surprise, the man stopped walking, looked at him, then grinned. He couldn't tell what it was, but the son of a bitch sent cold dread slithering down his spine. It was as bone-chilling as finding himself face to face with death. Lucas answered with a curt nod of acknowledgment.
Karsen disappeared behind a booth.
"Hey, how about gingersnap cookies? Money goes to the Children's Hospital Cancer Research."
"Give me a box.” Lucas said without taking his eyes off Cara who laughed at whatever his sister said to her.
"Ten fifty."
Lucas took the box from the man and handed him his twenty. “Keep the change.” With a careful stride, he dodged people and walked toward Cara.
Flecks of snow began to fall. The atmosphere turned the crowd's cold feeling to a buoyant spirits. People laughed as downy
The original version of Jingle Bells floated in the air. A man in a Santa suit ringing his bell followed by three little people in Elves outfits urged the crowd to join the singing. Lucas took in the beauty of the surroundings. Trees bright with Christmas lights looked so pretty as if they were all covered with fireflies. The ten feet Christmas tree adorned with colorful ornaments from teddy bears to small bells stood in the middle of the village like a giant. Except, unlike a giant, the tree was mighty pretty. There was an atmosphere of excitement. Everyone was felicitous, enjoying their vacations, the holiday with pleasure obvious on their faces. He loved the holiday season, but right that moment all he wanted was Cara. To have her beside him. To feel her warmth and share his with her.
He spotted Cara and Amy again checking the table laden with all kinds of cakes specially baked for the auction. From where he stood, it looked like the two were bidding on every cake. He bet Amy would bid on a carrot cake and Cara on a double chocolate layered cake. It was incredible how the two could eat sweet desserts like hungry barbarians and still manage to keep their slim shapes. Good . At least scums selling diet pills wouldn't victimize them. Not that Amy and Cara were fool enough to fall for the scams. But there were those who fell victim to the lure of companies selling vitamins and medications to keep a slim waist. Why? Because society defined beauty as tall, slim and fat-free. Freaking shallow view and destructive. How many teenagers killed themselves because they thought they were too fat and unattractive?
Lucas felt a gentle touch on his arm. Rochelle held two cups of steamy hot lattes.
"Nine dollars, Lucas."
"I'll take care of it. Why don't you join my parents? I'll be right there."
"Sure, darling.” Rochelle smiled then sashayed her way to the table.
Lucas tried to get a glimpse of Amy and Cara, but the throng of people grew thicker by the minute. He paid for the coffee, greeted the young woman behind the counter a happy holiday, then wound his way to the spot where he last saw Cara. With his six feet and two inches height, he towered over most people. His height also gave him the advantage to spot the man Cara met earlier—Karsen. His gaze followed Karsen's line of vision.
Karsen looked in a hurry to reach Cara. Most likely to grab the paper Cara was in the process of tying on the highest part of the tree that she could reach. The man was surely pissing him off.
In his haste, Lucas nearly tripped on a little man whose head barely reached his knees.
"Hey, pal! Watch it. Little people around, you know."
"Sorry,” he quickly said then looked back at Karsen who, despite the noise, must have heard the little man's voice.
To Lucas's surprise, the man stopped walking, looked at him, then grinned. He couldn't tell what it was, but the son of a bitch sent cold dread slithering down his spine. It was as bone-chilling as finding himself face to face with death. Lucas answered with a curt nod of acknowledgment.
Karsen disappeared behind a booth.
"Hey, how about gingersnap cookies? Money goes to the Children's Hospital Cancer Research."
"Give me a box.” Lucas said without taking his eyes off Cara who laughed at whatever his sister said to her.
"Ten fifty."
Lucas took the box from the man and handed him his twenty. “Keep the change.” With a careful stride, he dodged people and walked toward Cara.
Flecks of snow began to fall. The atmosphere turned the crowd's cold feeling to a buoyant spirits. People laughed as downy
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