Cookies and mistletoe

1.

(Small disclaimer before you read: my english might not be perfect, sorry!)

I hate my alarm clock. But school has to start sometime, though. While sunrays flickered on my bed, I jumped in my slippers and headed downstairs. Angel, my little black cat, purred when I passed her. I petted her soft fur and dashed down the old, screeching stairs.

After breakfast I had to get ready for school. New year, new me, I thought, and chose my new jeans and a lilac T-shirt.

However, when I got there, memories came back. Milana. She trotted down the hallway as if she was a model, with her silver-colored dress. Kim and Katrina followed her, as always, giggling.

Unfortunately, she came right up to me. nowhere to hide. I felt my cheeks redden as she looked at me. 'Who do you think you are?' I suddenly lost my voice. She didn't seem to mind. 'Whatever.' She weaved with her hand and walked away. I sighed.

'Yo!' A big yellow and pink blob bumped into me. 'How are you?' Alex patted my back. 'Hmm.. I'm fine.. Just met that fashionista again.' He grinned. 'Have you seen that dress? I bet her dad paid for it. Lazy ass model.. Anyways, I found all of us!'

Delphine, Kaden and Ellianna hugged me. 'I missed you!' Delphine exclaimed. 'I've been camping in France for three weeks, but there was no wifi! Can you imagine? It was horrible!' She made a goofy face. 'Hey!' Ellianna interrupted her. 'My vacation was way worse! Two weeks in a wet, muddy tent!'

Kaden wheezed. 'Elli, please.. The beauty of nature, huh?'

'Oh, your trip was probably perfect, like always!'

'Indeed! I loved it! Hiking in Canada is a-maze-ing, guys! Maybe we should do something like that together sometime..' He frowned, and then smiled. 'I brought some souvenirs!' He handed us all bracelets with small charms in the shape of leaves. 'Ain't they cool? They're small fossils!'

Delphine looked at hers. 'Damn Kaden, this green perfectly matches my skirt! Thanks!'

'No problem! You're my friends! Oh, you have no idea, I've seen at least thirty different bird species and even more types of trees! Did you know tha-'

'We know! We know! Enough!' Ellianna interrupted him. 'We know you love nature.. eh-well.. Shouldn't we head to class? I don't mind skipping though..'

But the bell rang before she could continue. She muttered something about stupid teachers when she walked away with Alex, while the rest of us headed to biology class, Kaden leading.

After classes, I went to my grandma's house. I promised her we'd bake cookies together as soon as I was done with school for the day.

She waited for me, watering her flowery garden. It was a warm, but her garden was lively green as always, with specks of rainbow-colored flowers. Willow herb climbed up her house, as well as many other plants I didn't know the name of. She stepped away from the sunflowers. 'Hello dear.' Her smile was one in a million. I felt better immediately. I hugged her, not paying attention to the mud on her clothes or the watering can in her hand.

While grandma changed clothes, I searched for the ingredients we'd need. Flour, eggs... I must've opened every cupboard and drawer twice, maybe even three times. The wooden floor creaked under my sneakers. The small house was old, but warm and welcoming. I smelled old books and that distinctive grandma smell everyone knows.

I heard the stairs. Grandma peeked around the corner. 'Should we begin? Oh, you've already found the ingredients!'

While kneading and mixing the dough, I told her about school and Milana. She listened without interrupting me, but right when I was about to tell her how much I hated Milana, she put a finger on her lips. 'Don't worry,' she whispered, 'a bad sixpence always turns up.' She winked.

'I mean, you'll meet enough people like that girl in your life. They'll try to discourage you, no matter what you try. But don't listen to them, dear. You're my little rose-tree, and one day, you'll be strong enough to show them you can. Just don't listen to them. That's all.'

I nodded, and kept thinking about what she said while putting the cookies in the oven. Grandma then closed it. 'Well,' she said, 'shall we continue tomorrow?'

'Of course!'

In the light of the setting sun, I biked home, and after dinner, I fell asleep with Angel purring between my arms.

The next day, grandma's words echoed in my thoughts when I saw Milana in the canteen. This time, she was in black, with silver jewellery. I wore baggy jeans and the first T-shirt I could find that morning. It was only at school that I found out it had a huge stain on the back. I saw my friends in the crowd. 'Hey!!' I waved wildly with my arms, but it was no use, as on that moment, the bell rang, and class started.

During recess, we discussed the new student. He sat alone at a table, his hoodie over his head.

The teacher introduced us to him, and all we knew then was his name; Caelen. Ellianna folded small origami cranes as she sighed. 'He's damn hot.. but how could I ever get to know him?' She crumpled the baby blue paper crane in her fist and threw it in a trash can. Her red hair peeked out under her blue beanie.

Kaden held a hand for his mouth, trying not to laugh. 'What's with you and mysterious new students? I mean, we all know what happened last year..'

Alex burst out laughing. Ellianna had tried to build a relationship with, but failed terribly.. at the prom evening. Ellianna blushed and looked away.

I smiled, remembering that night, but couldn't help but to keep gazing at Caelen, the mysterious new student.