19 Chapter XIX (Aron POV)

The majesty herself, Margo Spencer, is coming home today. I've been waiting for her plane to land for about two hours now. It was a good thing I actually really liked airports. Bookstores and cafes, people rushing around. Every person with a story to tell. Sometimes I try to guess where they are going. I think the newlywed couples are the most interesting. Or maybe a group of friends, travelling together for the first time. Dialogues you hear are usually more entertaining than those written in books. I watched six teenagers arguing about who will sit beside the window. In the end, they resolved the argument with rock, paper, scissors.

You know, like diplomats do.

As creepy as it sounded, it was fun to analyze complete strangers. One man had a very obvious anxiety, having trouble making eye contact with people and needing to practically meditate before asking one simple question to a woman at the counter. He didn't seem like someone who travels frequently. In that earlier mentioned friend group was one guy that was completely in love with his friend. A straight friend. As far as he knows. In some time down the road, he might be pleasantly surprised.

My phone rang with Margo's message that her plane landed, so I paid the waitress and went to her gait. She was among the first ones off the plane. Her coat was wrapped tightly around her body. She was wearing a knitted hat and leather gloves. I hugged her and took her bag. She had a pleased smile on her face.

"You look happy."

"Vesela sem, da sem lahko za božič nekje kjer je mrzlo. Miamiska vročina je ubijala my Christmas vibe."

("I'm just happy, I can be somewhere, where it's actually cold for Christmas. Miami heat was killing my Christmas vibe.")

X

When we entered my apartment she immediately took off her coat and put it on a hanger. Her gloves and cap were now being carelessly thrown on a cupboard under it. She flopped on the couch and stretched her arms and legs. She relaxed and lay down with her head on the pillows. She hugged one of them and let out a sigh.

"I love how nicely warm is here."

I sat on the armchair beside her: "You just said you missed the cold."

"Yeah. I like cold, but I don't like being cold. Fajn je, ko si ti na toplem medtem, ko je zunaj ledeno. Does that make sense?"

("Yeah. I like cold, but I don't like being cold. It's nice being somewhere warm when it's freezing outside. Does that make sense?")

I shrugged: "Ja...probably."

("Yes...probably.")

"How was Miami?"

I stood up and left to order us some food. Didn't feel like cooking.

"Nothing special. Hot weather, meetings and a bunch of male egos for me to shatter."

I smiled.

"Kitajska?"

("Chinese?")

"Um, ne vem. I think I would rather eat italijansko."

("Um, don't know. I think I would rather eat Italian.")

"Vredu. Hočeš pico or pašto?"

("Ok. Want pizza or pasta?")

"I haven't eaten bolognese in forever."

I nodded.

"Kje je Vanessa?"

("Where is Vanessa?")

"In the end, her parents decided to celebrate Christmas in Ohio."

Her grandparents live there. Her mom and dad used to live in New York but moved to San Francisco after our graduation. Margo pursed her lips. Her dark blue eyes seemed unfocused as she began playing with the strings at the end of the pillow.

"She will not be coming for new years either. Also, Isaac didn't come. I know you wanted to ask if he is in the country."

"Nisem."

("I didn't.")

"Sure."

"I'm changing the topic now. Have you bought me a present yet?"

I snickered to myself. She was bothered by not seeing Isaac for such a long time but didn't want to admit it to herself. She always says she is not ready to be in a "serious" relationship. I don't think Isaac will wait forever.

"No, I haven't. I've been kinda busy."

Her eyebrows lifted in surprise.

"Some work crisis."

She sat up: "What?! Zakaj mi nč nisi povedu?"

("What? Why didn't you tell me anything.")

"It's not that big of a..."

"Spill it. Now."

I threw my body on the couch opposite of her.

"I was fired, then Lukas went all mafia blackmail on my boss's ass and now I'm not anymore."

Her eyes were wide: "Lukas blackmailed someone? For you?"

"Mhm."

"THE Lukas?"

"Yes."

"The one you pretty much described as Hitler reincarnated."

"Ok, first of all, I never said that. Second, he has done it more for himself than for me."

There was a playful smile forming on her lips.

"He said that?"

"Yes. He was very specific about it."

Her eyes were tracing my face. She could always read me like a book.

"It bothers you, doesn't it?"

"What?"

"That he didn't do it for you and you alone. Which I honestly think he did."

I grimaced: "That's just stupi-"

"I'm not saying you like him, idiot. You just have a type. ˝Heros˝. You like feeling like a damsel in distress for some prince or princess to save."

I shook my head: "Bedarije."

("Bullshit.")

"Oh come on! You dated a firefighter just because she was a firefighter."

"It wasn't just because of that! And maybe I like uniforms."

"Yes, and it's just a coincidence you are now dating a doctor."

"You are right. It's far more logical that I have a boner for heroics than that I just like nice people."

"Aha. Nice people. Sure. I think it's because of your slight abandonment issues."

"Are you...Are you psychoanalyzing me?"

"You do it to me all the time. I picked up some stuff."

I sighed but smirked.

"What do you want to do for Christmas?"

That was the end of that ridiculous discussion that might be a little bit true, but I will not be admitting that to her.

"We can go out. To a restaurant," I suggested.

"What about staying at home and watching Christmas movies while eating takeout?"

"Nice. Which movie? I vote Nightmare Before Christmas."

˝This is Halloween˝ started playing in my head.

"We can watch that after the ultimate Christmas movie. Die Hard."

I smiled. We might be alone for the holidays, but at least we make the best of it.

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Sorry for the mostly filler chapter.