hatred | miniminter

36

previous relationships of mine had never felt so serious so early, but for simon and i, it is as though we've been together for over a year - not just a few months or so. we decided on returning home two days after christmas, to celebrate with one another which is earlier than usual, most of us typically coming back to london the day of or before new year's eve.

lugging my bags back into flat, returning after spending the last few days with my family, i throw everything into my bedroom before reaching for the gift bag resting on my bed, filled with simon's presents. it took us some time to decide whether we should buy one another gifts, having only been together a few months, but chose to do so, just not spending too much money on one another.

i lean over my dressing table, staring at my reflection in the mirror and deciding to fix up my makeup and hair. taking a deep breath in, my knee's fall weak beneath me, nerves taking over. last year, i never thought i'd be celebrating christmas with simon like this, never mind actually buying one another gifts and putting thought into doing so. my phone begins buzzing repeatedly on my bed and i swiftly turn on my heel to look down at the caller id. "hello?"

"hey," simon responds, "i'm nearly home so shall i just pick you up now? if you're ready."

"yeah, sure." i hold the phone against my phone, walking around gathering anything i need into a bag, "how long will you be?"

"erm," he ponders, i can tell he is trying to focus on the road, "probably five, maybe ten minutes."

"alright, see you soon." i hum.

"yeah, see you." the call comes to an end, quickly throwing my coat over my body and making sure i have everything, whilst also nervously staring at the christmas gift bag gripped in my hand beneath me. i slowly drag my feet out of my flat, out of the building into the bitter weather, crossing my arms over my body as i shiver.

spotting simon's car pull up in front of me, i race to the passenger side, throwing myself into the seat, "hi." he turns his head, a grin plastered across his lips.

"hey, you alright?" i pull the seatbelt over my body, pressing a hand to my cheek to feel my freezing cold skin.

"yeah, did you have a good christmas?" he questions, his attention now back on the road.

"yeah," i nod slowly, studying his face, "wasn't too bad, you?"

"it was alright."

we soon pull into his parking space, helping simon drag all of his things back up to his flat along with my own. letting out a sigh of relief after throwing everything down, we slump onto the sofa, breathless. "so." he raises his eyebrows, turning his head towards my gift bag for him laid on the floor, "presents?" he turns to me excitedly.

"sure, if you want." i smile softly, as though i'm watching a kid on christmas.

"i'm never really that arsed for presents," he slowly stands from the sofa, "but i'm just excited to see what you got me." walking towards the christmas tree, he lifts up a gift bag hidden beneath it, walking back in my direction, "but i hate receiving gifts." he smirks.

"why?"

"i always seem ungrateful, i swear i am very thankful, just feels awkward." he smirks, handing me the gift bag.

"thanks," i hum, "yours are over there." i point, gazing at him strolling over to pick up his gifts, both of us now sitting beside one another, our eyes flickering from our gifts and back up to each other, "you go first." i smile.

"you sure?"

"mhm." i nod eagerly, my nerves and excitement forming into one, hoping i've got him what he wants.