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This was not how Noah had hoped to be spending his Christmas. He was hoping to be at his friend Owen’s house by now. Warm and snuggly under a blanket, drinking hot cocoa, and mocking schlocky Christmas specials with Eva.
Of course, that wasn’t what had happened. Owen lived a couple of towns away, so Noah had to take a short trip to get there. A blizzard was on the horizon, but it wasn’t supposed to hit until late that night. By which point Noah was supposed to be at Owen’s. Safe and sound inside with his friends.
Unfortunately, the Blizzard had hit several hours earlier. While Noah was driving over to Owen’s. At first Noah had tried to continue but it was starting to get impossible to see, and Noah wasn’t keen on the idea of ending up in a car crash.
That said, he wasn’t about to shelter in his car. So he’d looked up the nearest place to stay the night. It turned out to be a small bed and breakfast. When he saw the number of cars outside the building it was apparent that he was not the only one who had to take emergency shelter. Noah wasn’t a fan of crowds, but it's that or staying outside in a blizzard.
Getting from his car to the front door was really difficult. Noah’s light weight meant that strong winds tended to blow him back, making the few feet to the door a longer trip than he wanted. Eventually though he did manage to get inside the door.
“Another person trapped in the storm?” A large muscular man with dark skin, beady eyes, and short hair under a small white cap said. “Well, you’re welcome to stay here in the main area, but the rooms are all full up.”
Of course they were. Not the place’s fault obviously, it wasn’t meant to harbor this many people. “Fine.” Noah huffed.
“You want some hot chocolate? It’s on the house.” The large man said with a smile, gesturing to a large self serve station.
“Thank you…” Noah trailed realizing he didn’t know the man’s name.
“DJ.” The man filled in.
“Yeah.” He nodded, feeling awkward as he made his way over to the hot chocolate. There were a few different flavors, but Noah went with dark chocolate mint. As he filled his cup he pondered why a small bed and breakfast would have a hot chocolate machine with so many options. Maybe the drink options were one of the perks advertised?
Drink in hand Noah looked around the lobby. He doesn’t want to deal with all these people. He just wants to hole up in the most isolated place possible, drink his hot chocolate, and try to sleep. Most places seemed crowded, but there was one corner that was mostly isolated.
The sole occupant was a skinny asian woman with long black hair in a ponytail. She was wearing a long pink coat, the hood, collar, hem, and sleeves all trimmed in white faux fur, a matching set of pink pants, and a long pair of matching boots, the tops of which were also lined with faux fur. Everyone seemed to be giving her a wide berth. Noah wasn’t one to be intimidated however, so he walked to the corner and sat in a chair next to hers.
“What are you doing here?” The woman scowled.
“Sitting.” Noah responded simply, a deadpan look on his face.
“I can see that, I meant-” she began.
“Then why did you ask?” The cynic replied, deliberately cutting her off.
The woman glowered at him. “Can’t you see I want to be left alone?”
“Strange, that’s why I’m here too. It’s not like the lobby has anywhere more isolated.” Noah smirked.
“Ugh. Why can’t you take a hint?” The woman asked.
“You were hinting? I thought you were being quite blunt.” He noted nonchalantly. He could tell he was riling her up, and to be honest it felt really cathartic after the day he’d had.
Rather than replying, the woman continued to glare, clearly trying to intimate him. Noah ignored her, taking a long sip of his hot chocolate. Eventually the woman sighed. “Whatever. So what’s your name?”
“Noah.” He replied. “And you are?”
“I’m Heather, and you’re lucky I’m cold and tired or I’d try harder to get rid of you.” The ravenette huffed.
“Oh, I’m so grateful.” Noah rolled his eyes. “I’m having a horrible day too, so don’t think you can pull that card on me.”
“Oh please.” Heather gagged. “Is this the part where I’m filled with the Christmas Spirit and realize how horrible I am? I know I’m horrible, and I don’t care.”
“I don’t either, and no one says you have to. You can feel terrible, and have a horrible day. You can even take it out on other people. I don’t care. I just wanted you to know that I am not the type of person to give into your tactics. Trust me I’ve used them myself.” Noah smirked.
The ravenette sighed. “This really sucks. I’m stuck in this stupid bed and breakfast with all these other people, on Christmas. All I wanted to was to get home and drink hot chocolate”
“Tell me about it, and you know if this was a Christmas special we’d all band together and end up having a good time in spite of the circumstances. Probably all break out in Christmas carols too.” Noah smirked.
“Ugh. Good thing this isn’t a Christmas Special. I’m upset, and I’m gonna keep being upset.:” Heather smirked.
“Exactly.” Noah smiled.
They sat in silence as they rested. It wasn’t uncomfortable. Simply two people sitting together enjoying the quiet they could get. Eventually Noah fell asleep. When he woke he found that he had fallen against Heather’s head.
She looked really pretty this close, in the dim lighting of the lobby. Her black hair was satin smooth against his own head. Her mouth was open, and a light snore came from her. It was surprisingly endearing.
Noah pulled away, not wanting to bother Heather by being so close to her upon waking. When morning came, the storm seemed to have cleared up. Which was good, except there was no way anyone was going to be able to drive until the roads were clear which could take a few hours.
“Hey.” A sharp voice interrupted his thoughts. He turned to Heather. “So, you’re not the most horrible guy I’ve met, and I like trash talking.” She handed him a number. “It’s my cell phone. Call me sometime?”
Noah smirked, unable to resist the urge to tease. “Are you asking me out?”
“What! No! Not like that anyway. Just to, like hang or whatever.” Heather huffed. Noah could see from the blush dusting her cheeks that he had hit the nail on the head.
He decided to keep the blush to himself. “Whatever you say…”