Dear Santa Claus - 14 Short Stories Until Christmas

18th December - The Hut on the Hill (1)

By LuminaAmara

She was standing in the kitchen preparing dinner, when she heard him unlock the door.

"Hey," she turned around and saw Miles standing at the door, "you're home early. I'm not even close to having dinner ready."

"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't tell you. I'm going to a friend's house in a bit."

"What? Are you serious?"

"What do you mean?"

"You forgot, didn't you?"

"Forgot what?"

"Our movie night, remember? I wanted to cook a surprise dinner and then we wanted to watch a few Christmas movies."

"Oh, right." Miles played with his hair, like he always does when he is nervous or doesn't know what to do. Was this the right time? He had been thinking about this moment for quite some time and now there she stood in her favorite apron. He wasn't sure what her facial expression meant, he had never been good at interpreting it.

"What? Did you freeze?"

"No."

He looked at her, still not sure if it was the right decision or not. But he had to tell her. He couldn't wait any longer.

"Isla. I have to tell you something. I wanted to wait because I know how weird it is to do it so close before Christmas but... I don't know. I had the feeling that it would be better to do it now."

One part of Isla's brain was petrified, the other (bigger) part kept repeating 'Please don't propose, please don't propose..."

Miles took one more deep breath and then continued talking. "I don't know about you but the last weeks...the last months, actually, I didn't really have the feeling that we are living together anymore. It feels more like we are two people that just happen to live in the same apartment but do their own stuff most of the time."

It took a few moments for Isla to realize what Miles was doing. "Miles..."

"No, please let me say this. I really don't want to hurt you, I swear. You have to believe me. I have been thinking about this a lot. I just think there is no other way for us. I mean, I like you. I really do. But..."

"Miles!" she couldn't help but smile a little.

"Isla, please. I know how much Christmas means to you and this is probably the worst thing I could do right now, but...I...I...don't think that...that we...," he hesitated, "...why are you smiling?"

"Are you really breaking up with me?"

"Um...yeah, I think so. I just don't get why you're not killing me right now."

"I'm sorry. I tried the serious face but it didn't work."

"So...you're not mad at me? Why are you not mad at me?"

"Because I wanted to do the same thing. I was going to wait until after Christmas but yeah...I didn't have that feeling anymore either."

Miles opened and closed his mouth a few times, which awkwardly made him look like a fish. "Are you kidding?"

Isla shook her head. "Nope. I know exactly what you mean. We don't work as a couple anymore, right?"

"Yeah, right. Wow. I didn't expect that."

"Believe me, me neither."

"Um...can I give you a hug?"

"Of course," she said, laughing.