Belle’s POV
We skated around the gigantic Christmas tree. It’s decorated with different ornaments and colorful lights that blink along with the music. The atmosphere is very Christmas–y but Reign and I are not in that mood. Neither of us is talking and I could see that Reign is thinking deeply. I really ruined the mood earlier. I studied the area and everyone is really having a good time. How do I pull Reign to enjoy this night again?
“Hey,” I pulled her closer to me. “Do you hear the music?”
She nodded mundanely.
“Did I tell you that I used to do the waltz? For kids. My mom enrolled me in this dance school and this is one of the songs we used.”
“Okay?”
“Let me teach you some steps.”
“Why do you think I would like to dance? What gave it away?” She asked sarcastically.
“You looked bored.”
“I’m always like this.”
“And I did say I’m going to put more excitement in your life.” I pulled her to the center of the ice rink, closer to the Christmas tree, to be away from the crowd and raised her hand upward so I could make a turn like they do in the waltz.
“What are you doing?” She almost laughed but somehow was able to keep it to herself.
“Waltz!”
“Well, it doesn’t look like it.”
“Welllll, the guy was supposed to be guiding me. Not the other way around. I never learned the guy’s part.”
She crinkled her nose.
“I’m not saying you should be the guy. It’s just that you’re taller than me so it’s easier for you.”
“Tch, fine.” She suddenly pulled me closer to her. If I didn’t control myself I would have hit her chest hard. She raised one of our arms upward, she put my other arm around her shoulder while she placed her other arm on my waist.
“What are you doing?”
“Waltz. The right way.”
We started twirling around the area along with the beat of the music. At first, I felt a bit nervous but there was no way I will be stepping on her foot with these skating shoes as we glided on the ice. But I feel a different kind of nervousness. Something weird is going on with my stomach and my heart is starting to beat really fast. If she’s not wearing gloves, she would feel how clammy my hands are getting despite the cold.
I took a glimpse of her face and she was just staring ahead blankly but I guess she felt me watching so she lowered her gaze and stared straight into my eyes. Suddenly, I couldn’t hear the music or the feeling of my feet gliding on the ice. I’m just...I’m just with her.
Her eyes are bright, almost silver against the night sky, and her dark hair. Her lips tightened as we stared at each other longer. At some point, I thought she was going to lean for a kiss when we suddenly stopped. She let go of me and took a step back.
“Why? Did I accidentally step on your foot?” I asked worriedly. It felt so nice why did she have to end it quickly?
She stared at me with confusion and worry painted on her face. She placed her hands inside her coat’s pockets and just stared at me.
“What?”
“I think it’s too late. Let me take you home,” she said.
“But it’s not even midnight yet.” What kind of Cinderella damnation is this?
She sighed heavily.
“Did I do something wrong? Look, if it’s about earlier I am really sorry about that. I didn’t mean to ruin the night.”
“No, it’s not that.”
“Then why are you suddenly pulling yourself away from me?”
She didn’t answer me.
“Fine. Let’s go home, I guess.” I said disappointingly.
We returned the shoes that we borrowed for ice skating. I was expecting that she’ll just teleport our way to my house but instead, we walked. I guess this is fine because I don’t want to go home so soon either. Just like earlier, no one is speaking. I just stared at the stars above us and continued to walk at the same phase as hers.
“I apologize for earlier.”
I looked at her.
“It was rude. It’s just that there have been lots of things going on lately and it’s affecting me badly. I’m not sure if that’s right. I shouldn't be feeling like this in the first place.”
“What are you talking about?”
She stopped walking and just stared at me once more. “I don’t know.”
I furrowed my brows. “Is your human body sick or something?”
“Maybe.” She started to walk again. “In a really not good way.”
“Really? Is a cough coming?” I worried. “I remember people who suffer tuberculosis have it worse during winter.”
She shook her head. “Not that. A different kind of sick.”
“But you are fine with me, right? You’re not going to disappear again?”
She shook her head. “No. This is not your fault.”
I feel a little bit better knowing that it’s not my fault but I still want her to feel better before the night actually ends. What can I do to make her feel better?
“Hey, Reign. It’s not late yet. It’s only eleven. Maybe we don’t have to go home yet. Do you want to visit your brother?”
She stopped walking again.
Oh dang. Double blow for tonight, huh? “I know I probably ruined the night again because of the idea but even from just afar?”
She thought about it for a second.
“I know you probably miss him, Reign. Don’t you think it’s better to see him?”
Her expression changed to something that I haven’t seen before. It’s like she’s finally made up her mind about something. She then intertwined her hand with mine and brought us to a place only she is familiar with.
We are now in front of a house that looks old and has been repainted and renovated a few times because it seems like some parts don't fit the rest of it; like the garage that seems like it has only been recently added. The house looks like one of those wooden houses during the 1800s. It has two floors and a bricked chimney at the top. The driveway also looks like it has only been recently added then the rest are full of well-taken care variety of plants. I examined it more to realize that the only Christmas decor is the wreath hanging by the door. I am not seeing any Christmas tree through the window or any Christmas lights around the house.
“Is this your childhood home?”
She nodded. Her eyes were always wandering at the house. How long has it been since she last visited? It looks like she missed it so much.
I looked around. “Yeah, this area looks familiar. Quite close to my Aunt’s but not within walking distance. You need at least a bike.” I said, remembering that her childhood home is also close to the area where my Aunt June lives.
Not realizing that she is still holding my hand, she took a few steps forward that will lead us to a window. She examined the inside trying to look for anyone. The lights are on; there is probably someone inside.
“When was the last time you visited?” I asked.
“Two? Three years ago?” She answered. Her voice was showing how anxious she is.
“Do you want me to knock? Someone should answer the door.”
“No, I don’t want to disturb anyone.” She pulled us to the other side of the house to get a view from a different window. We are now looking at the window of an empty bedroom.
“Bedroom on the first floor?”
“Yeah, he transferred his room downstairs when his knees were starting to give up on him.”
“Maybe the bathroom?” I suggested.
She shook her head. She looks worried now. “Could..you...knock on the door?”
I nodded. But I couldn’t walk away.
“Okay...go?”
I smiled and raised my hand that she was still holding.
She immediately let go of it and returned her hand inside her pocket. “Sorry.” She may be trying to hide it but her blushing cheeks fail her.
I walked towards the front door and she followed behind. She’s probably invisible to anyone’s sight now.
I knocked on the door and waited for a few seconds and knocked again when no one answered. “Hello? Uhm, I’m just passing by and I thought that I should greet you with a Merry Christmas or a happy holiday if you don’t like that.” I turned to Reign, “Are you Catholic or Christian? What’s your religion?”
“Myself.”
I rolled my eyes. I tried knocking on the door. “No one is answering.” I tried knocking again but to no avail. I tried opening the door to let myself in but it was locked.
She gulped. She took a step forward and held onto the knob of the door. I don’t know what she did but it opened. We entered the house and searched around.
“Maybe he left to celebrate Christmas with someone?”
“My brother is living alone. He outlived his wife and his son is in another country with his own family. Who will he celebrate it with?”
“Friends?”
She looked around more and even went up to the second floor. I followed her up there but she stopped me by the staircase. “Don’t come up here.”
“Why?”
“I don’t want you to see my room.”
I frowned. I want to argue with her but whatever. I just went back to the living room where the entrance is. After a few heavy footsteps coming from the second floor, Reign finally returned to where I am.
“No one is here.” She looks really worried now.
I was about to say to wait it out when the knob of the door started making a noise.
“Invisible?” I asked.
“Invisible.”
The door opened revealing an old man freezing because of the cold. I planned to get closer to him and help but Reign stopped me. Right, he’s not supposed to know that we’re here. Plus, it might scare him because he couldn't see us and suddenly someone’s going to help him. At this age, a heart attack is prone.
The old man closed the door behind him and removed his coat. He was moving slowly towards the fireplace. He tried to kneel with the help of a chair placed close to the fireplace and threw some dry wood on it then started a fire.
The old man helped himself to stand up and sat on the chair. He breathed deeply and just drank the glass of water that was placed on top of the table next to him.
I examined Reign’s face. She looked in pain. I suddenly felt sorry for both of them. I’m pretty sure if Reign tries to communicate with him, he’ll react well. He probably misses her a lot and would be a lot happier to see her now than never. Even if it means revealing to him that she’s a demon.
Her brother looks a lot like her. Well, obviously this one looks decades older but they both have the same sharp eyes. They definitely looked alike when they were younger.
The grandfather’s clock started making a noise as soon as the clock turned twelve.
Reign’s brother raised his glass of water. “Merry Christmas.” He said towards the fire. “Wherever you are, Reign.”
Reign flinches on my side. “Let’s go.” Reign said.
I nodded.
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