12 days before Christmas

A short story compilation of my very own 12 days before Christmas. Hope everyone would enjoy this. =)


So here we go,

DAY 1

Girl, Suzy Lexinton, age 29, height, average, body, slightly above average, hair, chocolate brown, eyes,blue, skin, porcelain.

It started with the word DATING.
There she was in her 14 story apartment, in her room, on her desk with her white mac book she got last Christmas. They call it the writer's block. That's what she was suffering from. An avid 5 days in a row, staring at that word pad trying to type out an article about matchmake.com, some new dating site. Suzy dreaded these kind of things. She kept asking herself why did she even major in journalism back in college only to end up sitting here having to write a useless mundane article which probably 2% out of all the magazine buyers would actually read. Even her intern days were far more interesting than this.

"Oh shoot!," she squeaked.
Yes, that's right one of the many common, expected thumbs down of a writer's day would consist of having your cup of coffee spill on your desk , on your manuscripts on everything. As if this writer's block couldn't get any worse.

"That's it. Focus, Suzy! Focus!!!,"

And there she goes logging into the site, creating an account, wondering in and about trying to string up at least a small little paragraph for her article. She didn't know much about dating in general to even start. Not that she wasn't good looking, she was indeed pretty behind those brown hair that always get into her way and eventually end up in a 365days of ponytail. Never once did she lay it down even for a formal event.

"Right. I wonder why people even sign up for this crap. What is this supposed to mean? I'm too busy to date? Who dates these days?? It's all about clubbing and one night stands. If anyone thinks they could find a decent spouse online, they need a head check more than anything", she mumbled.

Ding Dong!

"Uhh...I'm coming!",

And there it was. A smell of trouble in the air. Lisa Starden, Suzy's ex-colleague slash BFF. Lisa had this most annoying squeak in her voice , bugs Suzy everytime and on top of that, Lisa was an eccentric. She always pushed Suzy to do all the things Suzy would never ever do. In a way, it was good but not always.

"What you doing, Suz?",

"Oh nothing, just having a writer's block. Ha! Dating sites...Seriously, why does this agency give me all the shitty works. I mean I could pass for a senior writer".

"Dating site!!!???," said Lisa in full excitement.

Suzy's eyes rolled back and she was giving Lisa that look that she always had in her whenever Lisa comes up with a bright stupid idea.

Before Suzy could even say anything, Lisa was already hitting the keypads on the site and uploading Suzy's pictures.

"Lisa! What the hell are you doing!?,"

"Take a chill pill, Suz. I'm only helping you to finish your article and hopefully find a date. Wink Wink,"

"Lisa, you can go back to your own mac book at home and leave my dating life alone. I'm doing fine."

"Oh really Suz, when was the last time you had a date?",

"Oh I had some, it's private. Now please stop it."

Lisa smirked. She knew Suzy all too well to even trust that she has a date...The only date Suzy has ever had was her huge teddy taking half the bed which should have been replaced by a hot young man years ago.

"Now Lisa, if you wanted to put my picture up. Atleast put one that doesn't make me look like a total skank,"

"It's not like I have a variety to choose from, hun,"

"Ok, what about the one at Mr. Doyle's party. I wore the black dress. That's nice,"

"Yeah, if you're aiming to date a schoolboy," smirked Lisa.

Suzy frowned. She knew she never really bothered about her appearance which sometimes leaves her questioning why does she diet and keep up with the gym 5 times a week. Not that she ever flaunts her figure or anything. She hides them.

"Lisa, do you think I'm dull?,"

"Dull? Honey, what are you trying to say, please make it clear I'm writing out your profile here."

"Oh, nevermind," said Suzy bluntly.

Suzy walked to the bathroom and had a good look at herself. She took of he robe and was examining her curves, her flat tummy... even that tattoo she got 5 years ago thanks to Lisa. Most women would kill to have her body. Moving on to her face, no scars, she would do fine without make up. Her lashes were a little short but mascara would fix that. Her eyebrows needs some desperate trimming but everything else seems fine.

She then took of that silver band around her ponytail and tousled her hair for a bit. They were thick and rich. She never dyed her hair or gotten any chemical treatments for it. They had always been natural, so that was good. But they were obviously out of shape and maybe slightly boring.

"Lisa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!,"

"What's wrong??," asked Lisa worried.

"Oh nothing is. I was thinking, shall we book a day at Lorrie's saloon this weekend?,"

Lisa smiled as wide as she ever did. It was a little obvious all that eccentric hair ideas were running through her mind.

"You young lady, are in a treat," said Lorrie.

"Ok, well please don't over-do it. I wanna be able to live with my hair. Never got anything done with it before," said Suzy.

Lorrie smiled and assured Suzy that it was going to be alright.

Snip, snip, snip and round trips to the sink, the heater and everything else Suzy had no clue existed. And Voila!

"OMG!!! Suzy, you're stunning," said Lisa.

"Oh...I don't know. Do you really think so?,"

"Well, duhhhh!!! We have to go out tonight!," replied Lisa.

Suzy was happy... Her dull brown hair was given some highlights and Lorrie had done a great job adding volume to her hair and giving her side swept bangs. No more ponytail!

2 hours later, Lisa and Suzy were at the Bailey's bar enjoying their sip of Cosmo. Perfection never felt so perfect. Lisa was liking this new change of Suzy's. And Suzy was well adjusting to it somehow. Either way, she was progressing.

"Hey ladies, what can i get you?," asked this tall dark handsome man with an Irish accent.

"Oh no thanks. We're fine," said Suzy.

"Suzy! Hehe, Hi there...excuse my friend, she's a little unaccustomed. But I would like another Cosmo if you'd join us for the round," Lisa said seductively.

Suzy was feeling a little uncomfortable. It was obvious Lisa was fishing another guy for Suzy again but she had no interest. Especially a man with an accent. Suzy hated accents.

"Excuse me, I have to go. Thanks Lisa, I'll call you tomorrow," Suzy said and quickly left the scene.

She felt bad doing that but she felt really tired and she needed to return to her mac book once again on that stupid dating site and word pad.

"You've got mail!,"

Suzy looked into her computer and clicked on the new blinking message on the site.

We found a perfect match for you. Please click on the link to view your matched profile.
Good Luck!

Oh the annoyance!

Jeremy Fisher, age 33, tall, build, slightly tanned, owns an art gallery and loves to write music.

"What makes Lisa think I'm into art people and music!," said Suzy sarcastically.

She turned off the computer and prepared herself for bed. She had no desire whatsoever to send a message to Jeremy. It will soon be forgotten just like everything else in her life.

3am-

Suzy tossed and turned.. She was curious what would happen if she replied to this Jeremy. What would he be like? Weird? Perverted? A liar? Swindler?
or...
what if he is a decent man?
"Oh shuttup Suzy!! You need to focus and take this as business!," she said to herself.

Life is like a cup of coffee...

Life...

Those four alphabets...
Only four but yet the ring a very profound meaning not everyone could possibly explain or live with it. For some people, the find life a waste and a struggle. Some find it painful and full of misery. Some find it boring and dull. Well most people feel as if life has always been unfair and that all they want to be is dead. Is life really unfair?

The answer is Yes.

Why is it so?

It's because if you and you alone, no one else.

Believe me.

That's what little Johnathan Wolly said to his father on a cold Saturday night. At a young age of 20, Johnathan was already much mature and smarter than the other boys and even his own father at times. He never really went to a proper fancy school neither did he has any sort of fancy living. All he had was Heidi, his black beauty horse and his pops. Mother passed away 5 years ago from a stroke. Though Johnathan missed her dearly but he was ready to accept that life was temporary and that someday he too will leave this world behind.

"Dad, can I ask you something," said Johnathan.
His father nodded.

"What do you want me to do when you die?."
His father was shocked by that question his son throw-ed to him. All he could ever think of was why would his son ask him such ridiculous question.

"I don't know, son. You decide", said the father.

Johnathan didn't ask for more. He knew very well that his father was a man of very few words. Not even mother's death made him speak for the life of God.

So there they both sat, on a cold Saturday night listening to the wind and feeling the silence curb in. This was how they bond, in total silence.

"You know, dad. I was thinking, maybe I could go to the city, get a real job, find a girl, settle down and maybe bring her back for Christmas so this house wont be so empty all the time. I'm almost 21, dad. Didn't you and mom got married when you were 23? I think it's time I be a man. What do you think, dad?"

The wind blew on his face, it was cold... The air from the south pressed against his cheeks...

"Dad?"

"Dad?"
............

Johnathan sighed.
"Poor old dad, never rest a day in his life and the only time I wish to have a man to man talk with him, he is asleep," he said to himself.

Little did he knew, no one was even listening. As the minutes passed, the wind went on different direction. It wasn't cold anymore and the sun was almost up. They had been out here all night but Johnathan hardly shut his eyes. He kept thinking about life and how beautiful it is. He never understood why people would blame life for everything.

"Crazy fools," said Johnathan.

"It's morning. Dad, wake up,"

Now this is strange, Mr. Wolly would never sleep in not even on a Sunday. It was almost time for church. Usually he would get up by dawn to make poached eggs and read the Sunday papers before getting himself ready for Sunday morning service.

A slight fear ran through Johnathan's veins. It has happened before and now, is it happening again?

He knelt down before his father, held his palm and started searching for a pulse. All he felt was nothing but his own heart beating. He touched his father's face, they were cold and pale. No heart beat, no pulse, no more dad...

"So this is life," said Johnathan as he sipped his cup of coffee in the diner. 3 months has passed and he is now in the city working with the government. He sold the house to a couple in town. They were willing to pay a good price for the house and the barn and furthermore, they allowed Johnathan to come back whenever he wants to stay in his room. They were nice and truly special. But Johnathan's mind was set. He was going to work hard and find a nice young lady whom his father would be proud to call family.

As he took another sip of his coffee, he saw how the cream blend with the coffee. If you leave your coffee on the table for a long time, you would notice the cream would be on top of the coffee. So, one would had to stir it again for the cream to blend with the coffee before he or she drinks it. The same process would go one over and over again.

Then, Johnathan took a look around the diner. He noticed those who ordered their coffee would drink them as fast as they could without leaving it on the table for sometime before another sip.

He then began to examine his coffee more closely. The coffee itself was bitter and the cream was added to sweeten it.

It's just like life. The reason why we face hardships and twist is because somewhere out there, God must have been stirring us. We are just like his little cups of coffee. If we were left alone, all we will be is bitter and the sweetness of life would only be something that is out of reach just like the stars and the sky.

When God stirs us up, it's only because He wants us to achieve the sweetness of life again. But you can't achieve it without going through this turbulence of struggles. Imagine how must the coffee pull and repel against the creamer, and how would the creamer struggled to blend with the coffee whenever you stir them. Coffee and cream are two very different thing. But once they have achieve truce, they are now blended. Everything tastes sweet and nice and we can now take a sip of our coffee.

Maybe that's how life is too. After then rain, there will be the rainbow or the sun. It will be happy once again. The boy, gladly took a sip of his coffee and then he began observing some people placing their orders. Some wanted their coffee without cream, some wanted less.

"Hmm... wonder what could that mean," thought Johnathan.

Well, it could be that those people gave up on life so they don't expect a good ending or any sort of happiness in return that's why whenever someone asks them how are you, all they ever know to say was I'm ok...just ok...

They are afraid to even try to be happy because they are afraid of the struggle. I guess they are comfortable being the way they are now.

What about those who wanted less cream. What are they?

Maybe they could only handle so much struggle. So halfway down the road to happiness, they might give up.

So many questions, so many theories and it's all from this cup of coffee.

The boy gazed through the diner, looked down on his coffee and reminded himself. Being alone in the world isn't so bad. Losing both his parent's isn't so bad either. Nothing felt terrible to him at that point because he was one of the many people who would have his coffee with cream and take slow sips from time to time despite the trouble of having to always stir them.

He paid his bill and left his coffee half empty on the table and left.

"Today, all my troubles will only be a stirring point nothing serious. Once God is done stirring, I'll be happy like always", said the boy to himself on the busy streets of the city.

He walked proudly as he soon began to disappear from the mass crowd.

THE END

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This story is pure fiction and not related to anyone whatsoever. Hope everyone enjoyed this story and learned a few things from it. As always, thanks for reading =)