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Violetta sat down in the kitchen watching Olga prepare food for the Christmas dinner. This Christmas felt different, as if something was missing. Ever since her mother died when she was five, the Christmas celebration had consisted of her, her father, Olga, and her aunt. It would be the same this year, so why did she feel as if something was missing?
“Why do you look so gloomy for? It’s Christmas, darling”, said Olga in an attempt to cheer her up.
“I don’t know, Olga, it just feels different this year.”
“I told you you should’ve invited that Italian girl over! They don’t even have Christmas dinner on the 24th”, she huffed as she was whisking a dough for a Panettone they would eat for dessert.
Francesca.
She was the first friend Violetta had made when she moved back to Buenos Aires. At first their relationship was a bit rocky, but after working out their misunderstandings she became her best friend. It was true, she missed Francesca a lot. They had not been able to see each other during the holidays, which was an unpleasant change. Usually they saw each other every day, if it wasn’t in school it was in the studio. Now a few days had passed, and they had not made any plans to see each other. Violetta always remained passive when it came to asking friends out, since she was afraid of rejection.
The days up until Christmas she had been waiting for Francesca to text her, call or stop by her house. But nothing had happened, and Violetta felt depressed about it. Maybe she should text her or call to ask her to come over for dinner, but she felt as if she should’ve done so sooner. She opened her phone, maybe Francesca had texted her something.
Ever since her family had moved back to Rome, she was staying at her aunt and uncle’s place. It must’ve been a weird change for her, and Violetta wanted nothing more than to support her friend. Yet, she had been scared of reaching out. It felt intimate in a way she wasn’t used to. If Francesca would just text her or something.
“Vilu, will you grab the baking tin in the drawer for me?” Olga asked.
Violetta put the phone down and went to help Olga in the kitchen. Maybe she will contact her later.
-
It was evening, and Christmas dinner was soon finished. Violetta had not heard from Francesca at all. No text, no call, nothing. The uncomfortable feeling in her stomach did not subside, it made her even more anxious. Now that she thought about it, it was always Francesca who initiated contact. Was she waiting for her to text her first for once? Maybe she was just busy preparing for Christmas or did not want to be on her phone while celebrating with her family. No, Francesca would at least send her a meme or something.
The last text message from yesterday evening, when Francesca suddenly said she was busy. They had never gone this long without speaking to each other. It felt odd, empty. Violetta realised how emotionally dependent she was on Francesca. They were always with each other, so she never noticed her melancholic state of mind when they weren’t. This wasn’t sustainable, she had to do something. She wrote several messages but never ended up pressing send. Why was it so difficult to send a text?
She finally wrote “I miss you; I want you here” but did not have the courage to send it.
“Vilu! Dinner’s ready!”
Violetta was startled by her aunts voice and did not notice that she accidentally sent the text message she did not delete. She put her phone away and headed downstairs.
-
Dinner passed as usual. It felt like any other Christmas dinner with her family. They were all chatting as Olga was preparing the desert when the doorbell rang.
“Who could it be at this hour?” said her father slightly annoyed.
“I’ll go check!” she exclaimed and hurriedly headed towards the front door.
A part of her hoped it would be Francesca, but that seemed unlikely. Until it didn’t. At the front porch stood Francesca herself, grinning like an idiot.
“Vilu, you truly cannot be without me for one second, can you?”
“What do you mean? Why are you here? Shouldn’t you head to midnight mass soon?”
“Babe, you texted that you missed me, and I would never leave my Vilu hanging”, Francesca smirked.
My Vilu.
Violetta could feel her heart racing. Why did her saying that feel so good? If she only were Francescas. But what text could she be talking about? Did she accidentally hit send without noticing? Her face flushed a bright red. Francesca noticed her reaction and started to chuckle. She took her friend into a big hug.
“I missed you too”, she whispered in her ear, giving her shivers.
“I thought I was going crazy without you”, Violetta sighed into Francescas neck.
“Is that a love confession or something?”
Violetta was taken aback by the question, not knowing if she was being serious or not. She had been contemplating her feelings for the entire time they had been apart. Texting wasn’t enough. She needed Francesca near her at all times. What would that be other than love?
“I guess it is”, she said sincerely not caring if she misinterpreted Francescas tone.
Francesca broke the hug, pulled back and looked her straight in the eye. It was rare to see her so serious and focused. After a short stare battle, she broke into a big smile. Violetta had no time to react before Francesca took her by the head and pulled her in for a kiss.
The kiss was hungry, yearning. Violetta felt her legs turn into jelly, not sure if she would be able to stand anymore. Francescas lips were soft against hers, and it felt good. Too good. She was the one to break the kiss as she felt suffocated by the whirlwind of emotion that she felt.
“So, want to follow me to midnight mass?”
It was Francesca who finally broke the silence.
“Let me grab a jacket”, said Violetta.
She quickly put on a lighter jacket and headed towards her friend. Or were they truly only friends after this?
That did not seem to matter to her now, all she could think about was how happy she was to be reunited with Francesca. Violetta grabbed her hand, and linked their fingers together. Both girls were smiling wildly as they together walked out in the humid night.