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It was Christmas Eve night, my older brothers were getting organized, Daring decided to wear a blue parka coat, Dexter opted for a wine red collared sweater with a cardigan over it. And I, wearing a lilac woolen blouse and a white coat, was a little cold but still fresh. My mother is wearing her coat that was the same color as mine, and my father was just wearing a gray wool sweater. We left the house and went to my father's car (we decided to go to church together for the vigil mass.) The air is crisp and stagnant, cold enough to feel
romantic.
Daring spent the whole way arranging that stupid hair. Mom and Dad were talking animatedly in the front seats, warm and happy laughter could be heard. Dexter exchanged messages on his cell phone with his girlfriend, Raven.
We turned onto the main street and I turned to look at the street where Apple lived. I try not to think about it, but it's like trying not to visualize the color red.
The chapel was starting to fill up when we arrived. Parrot's beak flowers line the entrance and a wooden nativity scene adorns the altar. The church smelled of incense and candles, and the echo of excited voices and laughter among many adults. We slid onto an empty bench in the middle, on the left side and took off our coats.
- Look, sis, the "most beautiful of all" is here - Dex whispered in my ear, which made me jump.
- What? what are you talking about-
I try to follow his gaze to where he was facing, the right side of the church. By God! White was kneeling on a bench with her parents, towards us, wearing a red, clingy knitted dress that reached her knees and had long sleeves, her coat layered on the bench, also wearing white Mary Jane shoes. Her blonde hair in perfect curls and a burgundy tiara. I feel that my blood currents have stopped; beats in my heart failed.
- I thought you knew she was coming - Dexter asks, breaking me out of my thoughts.
- I didn't even know that we attended the same church... in fact, I didn't know that she attended churches. - I replied making my twin brother laugh.
- Let's throw holy water there. Maybe the evil spirit wanted to get out of her - he says and I roll my eyes smiling.
Apple must have sensed our observation of her, turned her eyes and, like magnets, they met mine. I feel my cheeks burn, but I don't look away from hers. And unexpectedly, she smiles making her eyes close as she raises one hand to greet me.
I reciprocate the act. Then I see that my whole family is on their knees and I'm the only one sitting, what a shame. then I do the same. Even from a distance, I can know that she was mocking and laughing at my action.
When the vigil mass ended, I was anxious to leave and catch up with that blonde before she got into her car. I spent half the mass thinking about what I would do and what I would say to her. I may be confused about my feelings for her, but that doesn't mean I'm going to miss my chance to wish her a merry Christmas. I glance at my parents, wondering when they'll be ready for us to head out to the car, but they're singing the last verse of the Christmas hymn like their lives depend on how they sing, great. Fortunately, after the choir is over and most people have left, Mom and Dad grab their coats and gesture for us to go too. I'm so excited that I jump off the bench and stand in front of them, who get scared. However, I need not have driven myself to despair. The second we step out, I feel something/someone lightly tug on my coat.
- I didn't know you liked Christmas hymns so much - Apple says. She is alone, and her family is not around. I notice them a little distant, getting in the car. The lipstick on her lips was faint, overlaid with a glossy gloss.
I blink, trying to say something.
- I am a devotee of principles.
- Ahem, absolutely.
- Couldn't you feel my prayers reaching out to you? Dear baby Jesus, please bless my arch-nemesis this Christmas, even if she is a cheerleader... - I said as we walked around.
- Hmm. I guess my prayer for you to change into a nice mood didn't work very well. -Her eyes shine as she watches my face. - Hey. Do you want to take a walk with me? we can see the places around.
- Ah... I don't have my car. I came with my parents in their car.
- Come on mine! I came in my car. - Her eyes look at me like a request and even an order. How can I not do what this woman wants?? - We can stop by the coffee shop.
My family watched us with curiosity. Daring looked at him with some anger (it was clear how bitter she felt towards Apple). Dexter was smiling, I knew how much he would tease me later. My mother and father looked at us, whispering to each other.
- Hello Apple White - mom greets the blonde with a loving smile. Now the blonde was embarrassed, she let out a weak smile, I don't understand this nervousness around my mother.
- Oh, good evening Mr and Mrs Charming! Merry Christmas. Happy Holidays. - HOW CAN SHE BE SO SOCIABLE WITH PEOPLE??? She looks at me again, smiling weakly - Are you coming with me, enemy of humor?
- Oh.. mom? I might-
- Get home before 2 am - My mother smiles and blows White a kiss. I see Daring roll his eyes in boredom.
- Enjoy girls. this climate is very romantic. -Dad says, while I pulled "my" girl close to her car.
- God...my family- I murmur.
[...]
Once at the cafe, we decided that we would go through the drive-thru. The blonde ordered a hot chocolate and I decided to order a traditional coffee, without milk.
- I pay mine. Don't worry.- I say opening my bag.
- Do not even think about it. I invited you, so I pay.- She takes her bag from the back seat and takes her wallet from inside. She looks at me with an intimidating smile - I have a full bank account recently. I found an annoying nerd donating money to date her.
- You're really funny, you know. - I roll my eyes and look back into the green eyes. It's so deep that I feel everything expand inside me. That stupid smile on his red lips.
- Do you know the best place to see the city? - White asks. She is driving with one hand, drinking hot chocolate with the other. Nails that are always long appear smaller. Just a base on them. I wonder how she would react if I touched her hands again.
- I don't know - I answer, trying to sound calm. I drank my coffee while looking outside the car. - We can go to that little castle in the square on the other side of the city. It's high up there and you can see some things. She smiled, seeming to remember something.
We ended up on the other side of town, close to the neighboring town. literally close to the square. We got out of the car. Apple holds my hand and pulls me to go there. It was not very busy. It was a public place, but the residents were still the ones who took care of it.
Apple seemed to know the way well. We passed by the little castle, it seems like that wasn't the point. I imagine you come here quite often. Did she share this with anyone else? Did she bring someone here? We seemed to climb a hill...always going straight and up.
- Look - she says, we stop in front of a square. It wasn't the one with the little castle, it was one far away. The square was well lit with blinkers, and there was a beautiful Christmas tree in the center. I got closer and noticed that it was decorated with cards and balls with the names of several different people.
Apple pulled me over to look. I realized at that moment that we were on a high hill. On one side you could see the neighboring city. And on the other, I could see our hometown. It was so beautiful, the snow had stopped, it was falling very lightly now. It was pleasantly cold, it seemed magical. I looked a little more, I realized that I could see the lights and even some people.
- Wow. As I've never come here...- I lean down a little holding the iron bars. - Does Briar know about the existence of this place??
- Who do you think showed me?? Briar brought me here a few days ago.
- I should have imagined. It's just like her to find places like that.
- That's why I love living here. Everything is very magical and different.
- Not everyone feels this way.
- Well, they should. - She says that with some truth. His eyes fixed on the tree behind us. - This place is special. People are different. I feel this every time I attend Grêmio meetings, or the crowd at a football game. - She looks at me. - Or women's basketball.
- I loved. - She laughs. It's so ridiculous, this laugh is so different from the others. We sat on a wooden bench facing the landscape below us, watching every light in that place, watching the cars passing from one side to the other. Apple was talking about her week, and how Briar was wanting to throw a New Year's party to mark the city. And then immediately saying that I would have to go with her, since I was her "amazing girlfriend". We signed our names on a piece of paper that was in a basket under the tree and hung it there.
We decided to turn on the radio on my cell phone. After about 3 songs, one started playing that surprised me. "Snowman". Apple watched me as I sang a few lines. Soon she opened the camera on her cell phone and placed it on the floor with her bag. She looked at me and made me get up from the bench in confusion. She approached me.
- You know that trend?? - At first I was confused. But I remembered right away.
I nodded with a shy smile. The song was almost at the chorus. The cell phone recorded everything. When the chorus signaled, we started dancing.
She held my hands tightly to feel their warmth. The dance had the perfect balance between us. I felt welcomed in her arms when her hands were around my waist. She spun. And then we end in reverence. We laughed, she picked up her cell phone from the floor and stopped recording. Her laugh watching the video was like a bonfire melting the snow and my heart.
For a moment, I remembered Liliana... She rarely made trends or danced with me. It was as if it was shameful for her.
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[...]
- Do you plan to sleep early today? - The blonde asked, taking one of my hands to get my attention. Her eyes fixed on the road and her other hand on the steering wheel.
- No, normally I always make a night of really silly Christmas movies with my brother, why?
- Let's stop at my house. I bought you something.
- Like a Christmas present??
- No, like a bomb scheduled for 3 am - She speaks in a voice that seemed so serious. Fear.
- That was very Apple specific. - I laugh nervously. She looked at me with a stupid smile.
We turned onto her street. I had never come close to it. Get out of the car. The exterior of the house was really beautiful. Nude and gray tones, and well-polished glass windows. A very modern house, but still somewhat traditional.
Hearing the sound of your car being locked and footsteps behind me. White stood next to me and fixed a lock of my hair.
- What are you looking at? Something wrong with the house? - she asks me
- No. And that... I imagined a red and gold Palace.
– Wow Charming. I have good taste, you know? - We laughed. She grabbed my hand pulling me towards the door.
Wow..I'm actually at Apple White's house on Christmas Eve.
The blonde opened the door. I found the trend of the "W" on the doorknob interesting. Upon entering, I noticed how well organized the interior was. A very different palette from my home. Something more pink, a salmon perhaps. You could see a light brown and some golden spots.
It's a well decorated and different house. The White family has good taste.
Apple took off her shoes and placed them next to the door and I do the same with my sneakers. I see a German Dwarf Spitz dog coming to meet White.
- Hello Gala.
- Your dog's name is Gala? Poor thing.- She looked at me, pretending to be annoyed.
- My childhood dream was to have a pet fox. My father showed up here with her. I spent days believing she was a tabom fox?! - I laughed.
- Poor of you. - I laughed, rolling my eyes. Now Gala was at my feet asking for affection. And so I did.
- He comes. Let's go to the kitchen. - She guided me straight to the end of the corridor. We passed the stairs to the second floor and the living room. The kitchen lights turned on automatically.
- I'll be right back. - She leaves the place and seems to go up to the second floor of the house.
I start looking at the kitchen, everything is well organized. The fridge full of papers. I got closer to get a better look. There was Apple's bulletin hanging. As for A+.
And suddenly. A photo.
- I'm back, Darl.
- Oh, Jesus Christ - I took the photo of the fridge magnets - And you???
- Course is. Look at the kitten's aesthetic.- In the photo, mini Apple was wearing a red dress with a short white coat, black tights and white boots. A beautiful and happy smile. And she wore glasses.
- Are you really blonde?? I thought it was from a pharmacy.
- Oh, well. the pharmacy one here and you.
- But I'm not blonde.
- Are you going to tell me that you were born with white hair like that?? You were blonde Darling. Everyone knows. She can be seen by the roots of her hair.
- Ugh. Overcome it. I hated my blonde hair. It was a female version of my older brother.- I said. I remembered when I painted him. My parents freaked out when they saw the white streaks where the blonde used to be. - You look so beautiful with glasses.
- Enough of this - Aplle said embarrassed. She takes the photo from my hand and places it on the counter - Here. I hope you enjoy. - The blonde hands me a well-wrapped box. I begin to gently open the package. She looked a little anxious about my reaction.
When I finish removing the paper, I open the box. I come across a silver bracelet. What impressed me most were the pendants. Alice in Wonderland. For God. It was from the new Classics collection. There were several pendants: the white rabbit, the watch, the playing cards, there was a sword, a crown. And in the center, a pendant of a girl, who in this case was Alice.
- This... - I took it in my hands. It was a little heavy, but it was still beautiful.
- I kept the note in case you want to exchange it, you know.
- No, I loved it... I love this film.- I say, still staring at the jewel.
- I know. -Her tone of voice is comforting.
- As??
- It's simple... I discreetly asked your brother. He said that for your 10th birthday you literally dressed up as Alice on the trip to Disney.
- He was a mad hatter. - I laughed at the memory - He hated it, but accepted it after a while.
- And another thing, that photo you have in your posts. You have a movie poster on your wall. And there's the laughing cat themed clock. - God...how observant she is. - When I saw the classics collection in the mall store, I didn't think twice.
That was surprising... Liliana hated my obsession with the film. It was "something for little children who don't live in reality."
- I loved the gift...but why Silver??
- Oh Darl...you don't wear anything gold. - Fact. - And Silver looks perfect on you - Feeling my face burn with such words. I stared at her. Her eyes are roaming over my body. I want not to embarrass myself about this, but the chance to do so was lost. I'm looking at her, and now she's looking at me, and it's too late to fake any normality. She bites her red lips. Damn, Apple.
- Well... let's see how it looks on you - White takes it from my hands and puts it on my arm, closing it. Her fingers touching my body made me shiver. Soon I notice her playing with the rings that are on my fingers, on all of my fingers. All silver.
- I said. - she murmurs and I don't understand - Prata highlights you completely. Her skin is a little darker than that of her brothers. And look! the rings highlight this. - She wouldn't let go of my hands. Feel a tingling sensation.
Liliana made me change her promise ring because she hated silver..
Apple pulled me down the dark hallway to the living room.
- My hands are wet with sweat... - I whisper, making her stop walking and turn to me. I wanted her to let go of my hands...
- Serious?? I didn't even notice- She says. And still holding my hands tightly. The sparkle in her eyes. I look at her mouth. She licks her own lips and bites discreetly. I noticed that she always does this when she is nervous. I feel an immense desire to do this for her. I think about getting closer and locking her lips with mine. But where would that take us? What would that mean? - Darling - she says, catching my attention - Stop thinking and do it.
- Do what??
-Kiss me.- I let out a sincere and desperate laugh. I went into a bit of a panic. It was a real guess.
- How convinced you are, Miss White.
- I am right. I know I am.
- I don't know what you want me to think of your suspicious behavior, Apple.
- I want you to understand that we can be more than enemies of sport. More than a plan... - Silence hovered over us. The clock in the room could be heard. The tick and tock..we were the tick and tock..
- Darl..- Her voice is a whisper. - I feel something for you. I know this is pretty suspicious coming from me. But...something is happening inside.
- You can't be feeling something. We didn't... it was just an agreement... - I felt confused and crazy about that situation. I wanted to...but something stopped me. - You hit my car. We were forced to give each other rides and I paid you to be my girlfriend.
- I know. And it will be a beautiful story to tell our children. - I smiled, but soon stopped - Could you relax? What's wrong with feeling something in the middle of this?
- Apple...you can have whoever you want in the palm of your hands.
- And you too. I'm not the only one who wants you in school. - Her eyes rolled - I want you. I didn't choose this, it just happened. It's quite simple to understand.
- But I... I'm...
- Clumsy? crazy? Idiot? Strange? - She asks, but affirming. - And I know it. I was surprised too. But still and you.
- Ohh shut up. - I say with a weak laugh. A smile on her lips. The eyes full of desire made me ashamed. She couldn't deny that I looked at her the same way.
- I love when you smile, your dimples are beautiful.- My heart missed a beat. The blonde approaches me and I do the same. She holds a strand of my hair and plays with it. I think a little. She gets close to my ear - Don't think so much - She whispers. I feel a slight bite on my earlobe. I relax. I feel her lips approaching mine. And soon, they found each other very easily.
Our kiss was perfect. The synchrony between our mouths. Your hands on my waist. Mine around her neck. We leaned lightly against the hallway wall. I lose my breath. The slightly wet kiss that contains desire and love. The lips with the freshness of cherry. His hair was getting in the way. your skin white and soft, The fragrance of French perfume. Everything that only Apple White could have... That seemed so different. So unique.. I needed more contact with her..
And then. How could nothing affect me? I feel pain. And for now, I remembered something...I remembered Liliana. I remembered how she insisted on not kissing me in public. I remembered how she made me feel like a child dependent on care. How she made me sick. So.. why even after everything I couldn't get over it???
I knew it wasn't love anymore. It wasn't longing. That was a covered hole, but still sensitive.
- Darl.. Is everything okay? - Apple's voice in my ear made me let out tears that I didn't even know were coming out. My body slid down the wall and soon crumpled to the floor. I wiped my face on my coat sleeves.
- Sorry. I didn't want to...I just...
- Do you want to talk about it?? - She sat next to me. Comfortable silence entered that small place. The Clock chimed again. My short sobs.
The blonde placed a kiss on my head. Feeling her snort sadly - And Liliana... Isn't that right? - I lift my head and look at her. I wanted to cry more.
- I don't love her anymore. And I don't even want to hear from her anymore... I feel broken. As if the stitches always came loose. She broke me completely, worse than betrayal... - My throat closed. I looked into the Green eyes again. They were distressed and seemed to be holding back a certain hatred.
- I hate that show... - She huffed in boredom and I let out a muffled laugh. - You deserve better.
She sulked in a funny way. She reminded me of my mother when she found out about my breakup with "lyly". But deep down she was happy. She never liked my ex.
We stayed there for a while. Just listening to each other's breaths. A very comfortable silence.
- Apple.. - I called her. She looked at me with a small smile - I'm sorry for seeming uncomfortable with everything you do.
- It is good too. I understand.. I imagine she shouldn't show the slightest.
- Eh.
- If it were mine, I would make sure the whole world knew. I would fill her with gifts and make sure no one hurt her. And that's the minimum. -A silly smile grew on my lips, I approached the blonde and placed a kiss on her face. And she blushed a little
She disguises it. She gets up from the floor and offers me a hand. Standing, we continued walking to the living room. When we get there. I hear footsteps coming from the stairs. A child who appeared to be 11 years old enters the room and stares at the two of them. He had his blonde hair all messy. His eyes looked tired and his pajamas were polka dots. He looked a little pale.
- Arthur.. What are you doing up at this time??
- Who is she?? Where's Mom??
- Ah..Darling, this is Arthur, my younger brother. And Arthur, this is Darling, my... friend.
I smiled at him. And he smiled back. The blonde explained to him that his parents wouldn't be back until the next day. They had gone to help with charity. The little one nodded and sat down on the sofa. He asked if we could watch a movie and we agreed. We decided to watch a Christmas movie and Arthur chose "Home Alone". Typical. It was halfway through the film and the boy was already dozing between the two of us. I looked at the one with green eyes. She stroked the little one's hair.
- I thought she was an only child. - She looked at me and smiled. She looked tired.
- My parents adopted Arthur. He was about 6 years old. And incredibly at Christmas time. He's kind of my present.
- I didn't see him in church with you... He didn't go??
- He caught a cold. We left him here with a babysitter. I made an appointment with my parents to stay with him when she left... I think I took too long.
- At least he slept... - I remembered the fact that we were making out with him in here. Feeling my face flush with embarrassment. - He seems calm...
- He is. He is very affectionate and fun. And the best child in the world. - I smiled at her and she smiled back. I turned my gaze to the film.
After the movie session was over. We decided to put the little one to sleep. I picked him up as Apple guided me upstairs. She opened the bedroom door and I placed him on her bed. Her room was really cute. It looked like Dexter when he was younger. My eyes caught the clock on the wall in Arthur's room.. 01:58. My mother is going to kill me.
-Apple. I have to go.. - I pointed to the clock.
- Ah.. Can't you sleep here today?? Please. I speak to your mother myself.
- I doubt she'll let me.
- We have a reason. - I looked at her confused and she looked at the little boy lying on the bed. What a cheat.
☆
And didn't she manage to convince my parents?! Apple had the power to understand and convince adults easily. She told my mom that we were taking care of her little brother and that we were going to have a really cute sleepover for him.
How much of a lie.
I received a message from my brother Daring asking me to be careful. "Maybe she wants to kill you in your sleep."
I laughed and ignored it. She guided me to her room and asked me to get comfortable. She grabbed some pajamas and changed in the bathroom. Then she came to meet me. We chatted. She played with my hair. We go down. We ate something. After a while she went out to store her car.
It was already 3 am. I felt like my eyes were going to close at any moment. We were in her bed now. She was looking at her cell phone while I hugged her from behind, looking at mine. I received a notification that brought a bad taste in my mouth. I let out a "damn" under my breath, but it still caught the blonde's attention. Who looked at the screen of my device.
"I want to see you tomorrow. Meet me in the main square at 5 o'clock. Peak time is very empty"
It was a message from her. From Liliana. I realized that Apple had read it. She bit her lip and tapped the notification. I noticed a sigh of relief enter the screen. I hadn't talked to "Lyly" (her Instagram account name.) in months. She was in the archives. There were days of reactions from her in stories I posted.
- That white girl never tires of disturbing you. What a bummer
- Still scored at 5. - I laugh
- You are going? - She turned to look at me. I stared into those green eyes that were close to mine.
- And change this moment?? Not even if she paid me. - The blonde's laugh made me feel hot. My heart was beating much faster than before.
- How about we send her an answer?? - I smiled without understanding. She opened my cell phone camera and took a really stupid photo of us. But it was cute. She put on a song that suited her and marked her own account. Posted.
I can say that that moment was the best of anything I had ever seen. Apple treated me differently, treated me better than my entire relationship with... "Branquela". We were hugging each other, sharing the phone. A mix of music was playing, calm and lovely music. She smiled at me and I couldn't help but leave a kiss on her lips. Which scared her. But then she returned it. Feeling my eyes weigh slightly. and I realized that Christmas had already started on time.
-Merry belated Christmas, White-I said, touching my face to hers.
The last thing I heard was a tired laugh
- Merry Christmas, Charming..
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