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Plum was quite thankful that she didn't have to attend school in the North Pole. The academics that she was being taught made her head hurt. She believed school was such a drag. There was no subject she understood, everything seemed difficult and it bothered her she wasn't good at it. She was usually good at everything she did, but not school. As the last bell of the day rung, Plum got her stuff and exited the classroom. She then made her way outside where the cold wind brushed against her legs. She waited for the bus and couldn't wait to work.
She saw Jisung on the bus. They had seen each other all day but hadn't talked to one another. He raised his head, almost like saying 'what's up'. She smiled as he sat with his friends. Again, right in front of her. The bus ride was quiet as she watched the sky and snow.
Her job at the bakery was fun. She took orders and made drinks. Most of them she already knew how to make as she was a whiz at baking, so it wasn't much work at all. Her boss was nice. A nice old women who had a smile so kind that it made her feel like she was back in the North Pole. She had called the North Pole last night to check in. Santa reminded her she only had nearly a month to change him.
Plum decided she'd need to be more friendly. Anything just to hangout with him more. As the bus stopped on her street, Jisung and his friends also got up as they lived near there. They all said bye to Jisung as he would be going to the left and they'd continue to go down the street, to their houses. Plum waited at the light in order to cross the street to get to the bakery. Jisung watched as she waited at the light and walked up next to her.
"Hey Plum."
Plum was shocked to see him talking to her. She smiled widely and squeaked her voice, "Hi, Jisung."
"Where are you off to?" He questioned as she pointed to the bakery.
"I have a job at the bakery after school." She explained as he nodded.
"That's where I'm going, too." Jisung responded bluntly. He was so cold when he spoke. You never knew what he was feeling. His voice was deep and bitter. Nothing special.
The light changed as they walked across the street. Their shoes crunched on the show as they continued to walk. The storefronts on the street of the bakery were decorated with wreaths and lights. It was so beautiful on the strip that Plum lived on. It reminded her of her home. Plum opened the door for Jisung as she snuck in and he followed. Her boss, an old Korean lady smiled as the two bowed towards her.
"You're early." Her boss whispered as Plum nodded her head.
"Yes, but I'll start early!" Plum smiled as she put down her bags in the back and threw on an apron.
She ran to the register and took Jisung's order, "A medium hot chocolate and glazed cranberry bread."
Plum added up the total and he paid. She then ran and got his piece of bread while her boss made his cup of hot chocolate and an extra one, too. The old lady handed Plum the two cups of hot chocolate, "It's not gonna be busy for a few more minutes. The kids start flooding in after they walk from school. Have a few moments with friend, it won't hurt."
Plum took her chance and thanked her boss before asking Jisung if she could sit with him. He nodded his head as he put down his phone and watched her. She sat on the other side of the table and smiled before he asked her a few questions, "How come I don't remember you that well from when I was little?"
Plum was surprised at his question and he looked suspicious, "I was a quiet kid. I never really had any friends."
Jisung nodded his head but still looked like he had questions to ask. Plum remembered what Santa had told her about his younger years. He got bullied a lot and Santa told her a few stories as evidence.
"I remember you, though. I remember how those boys made fun of you when you got your first perm. And how they called you a girl because you liked strawberry milk more than chocolate. I remember, Jisung." She explained as his face softened but then he gave a fake laugh.
"Yeah but when we grew up, I made sure they felt what they put me through. Those kids are nobodies now. And you know, I'm someone. I'm on the varsity soccer team and I have a reputation, and a nickname. What about those kids? They're nothing." He explained as Plum began to understand what caused his heart to harden.
Jisung changed the subject, "So what'd you do with that tree? That tiny ass tree!"
Plum laughed and showed him how she decorated it, she took a photo on her phone. He laughed and then sighed, "I hate Christmas. It's the most worthless holiday."
Plum's eyes lit up as she came up with an idea, "I love Christmas. So what if I tried to make you like it? I'll show you all my favorite things to do during the holidays. And slowly you'll begin to like it, too."
Jisung nodded his head, "There's no point, but if you believe you can change me- which, if I might add, no one has- then I'll go and explore the holiday with you." Jisung sarcastically said 'explore'.
Plum smiled as students began to walk in, "Deal, Park Jisung."
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What's your favorite Christmas song? I think mine is "Happy Xmas (war is over)" by John Lennon. Or maybe "Do They Know it's Christmas?" by Band Aid
I hope you enjoyed this chapter!!
What are somethings you guys do to get in the Christmas spirit?!
