Under The Mistletoe

3: Your Santa

Justin and I walked for about another hour, enjoying the remaining sights, but his mind seemed to be elsewhere. I couldn't help but wonder if deep down he still had feelings for his ex, Kinsley.

"Justin?" I break the silence as he leads me back to the mall where his car must be parked.

"Yeah?" He responds, looking down at me.

I rub my hands together to keep myself warm as we walk. "Do you, do you still have feelings for Kinsley?"

Justin's face reveals that he's surprised by my question but he answers it anyways. "Um, no. I don't think so. No." He seems unsure. "Kinsley and I, well, I knew we wouldn't work out. She's the party-all-night type while I'd much rather stay at home and watch a movie or something." He shrugs. "Sure, We had something at some point but it seemed to have disappeared." He heaves a sigh, shoving his hands into his pockets. "She wants me back, but I don't think it will work it. It didn't before, so why now?"

I stay silent, not knowing how to respond. Eventually, I decide on a simple, "Oh."

We walk in silence until we reach the mall's parking lot. Justin then turns to me, a shy look on his face.

"Do you have a ride?" He asks and awkwardly runs a hand through his hair. "I mean, you probably own a car, but-"

I chuckle, cutting him off. "I don't own a car, Justin. I just take the bus or a taxi."

A small blush appears on Justin's cheeks. "Oh, well, in the case, do you want me to give you a ride? It's cool with me."

I can't help but reveal a smile. "Sounds great, Justin."

Justin simply chuckles and leads me to his car which is parked near the back. It's an old-looking, red convertible with only two doors.

Justin opens the passenger door for me and motions me inside.

"Thanks." I smile, sliding inside. He answers me with an even bigger smile and makes his way around and jumps into the driver's seat, starting the engine.

"Where too?" He questions.

"Cornell." I tell him. "I'm staying at their dorms."

He nods and makes a turn onto the road. "Cornell it is."

Justin reaches over and turns on the radio as he drives. They're playing "The One That Got Away" by Katy Perry and I can't help but softly sing along. Consumed by the music, the drive to the university is silent.

When Justin finally brings his car to a stop in front of the big building that was my dorm, I barely make a move to open the door.

"Thanks," I thank him. "For the ride."

He responds with a small smile. "No problem."

As I open the door to get out, I pause. "I like movies, you know." I tell him, referring back to how he said he would rather watch a movie than party all night.

Justin's smile widens. "That's good."

Returning his smile, I say: "Goodnight, Justin."

"Goodnight, Payton."

With that, I begin to make my way up to my dorm, unable to get Justin off my thoughts.

Once I'm at my dorm, I find myself going over to the window, a part of me hoping Justin's car was still there.

To my surprise, it was. Justin was still parked up front, unmoving. I couldn't help but wonder what he was doing or thinking.

Five minutes later, he drives away.