Finding you: A Christmas special

Love

Ryan POV:

I walked out of the bathroom, a white towel wrapped around my waist. My phone was on the smoothly made bed, with its yellow duvet set. I picked it up and sat down briefly, I couldn't help it. It was like a crippling addiction, I kept checking for Elena's message, but maybe I was wrong. I tossed the phone on to the bed and fell backwards hard, the bed frame creaked with my weight. Maybe time doesn't change anything...

"Ryan," came my mother's voice, "yes!" I shouted at her, "breakfast!" She shouted back, I sat up on the bed and started dressing, "Okay!" Today was a simple blue jeans and white t-shirt, because I decided to not go into the office, and to spend time with my lovely mother. Once done, I opened the white paint door and went downstairs two at a time.

My mom had her glasses on, they were resting on the bridge of her nose, as she read something on her phone. "What are you reading?" I asked with a smile as I sat down at the table, she looked up at me through the top of her glasses, "the community is thinking of hosting a christmas fair," she said with a twinkle in her eyes, "I'm sure the children will love that," I said as I took a bite of my bacon and egg on toast. "It's not just for the children," she said with a mischievous smile, I chewed thoughtfully, "are you craving some fun at the fair mother?" I asked playfully, "I have offered to take you to Disneyland," she chuckled, "not fun for me, I'm too old for a tea cup ride," she gave me a sweet smile and her voice softened, "maybe you could meet someone." Huh? I paused and scrunched my eyebrows in confusion as I looked up at her, "are you trying to set me up?" I asked and she giggled, "I would like some grandbabies while I can still get around," she joked, "but why should I find someone, when I have the most amazing woman for a mother!" I exclaimed dramatically as I stood up and walked towards her, "you're setting these women up for failure, having them compete with you!" She smacked me playfully, with a scowl on her face, "you are too much!" I then bent forward and wrapped my arms around her, "I love you mom."

Elena POV:

I had just finished showering and had dressed in a pair of comfortable pyjamas. My mother would call it letting myself go, but I didn't think so, I was finally getting the freedom that I so desperately craved all my life. I was busy drying my hair with the soft purple towel when there was a knock on the door. I cautiously walked towards it, I didn't have the energy to fight with my mother again, and I definitely did not have the energy to entertain any guests.

"Hi," said Chad, he was beaming as he held up coffees and a brown paper bag. "What are you doing here?" I asked, surprised, "I noticed things looked glum this morning, so I thought that maybe I could cheer you up!" His voice was full of excitement, "can I come in?" I shook my head, only now realising that I was blocking the door, I stepped aside and held it open for him, closing the door behind him.

He put down everything on the coffee table and turned around to face me, unwrapping the blue and white scarf that was wrapped around his neck. "First thing," he said stepping towards me and taking my hand in his, I immediately felt a bit of electricity at being touched, it had been so long since I was shown any kind of affection from the opposite s*x, I stared down at his hand cupping mine in his. "I wanted to apologise, I realise that last night I had imposed in a big way," he said, his eyes were soft and his hands were cold, "no, it's okay. I'm sorry that you had to see my mother that way," I apologized, a hint of embarrassment in my voice, he chuckled, "don't worry!" He mused, "every family has it's problems!" I smiled and relaxed my shoulders, which I didn't know were tense to begin with.

"So, as an apology, I brought muffins and coffee!" He flashed his brilliant smile again, and I felt the corners of my mouth lifting, I nodded meekly, "thank you, I really appreciate it." I said as I took a seat on the couch, he sat down next to me, our knees touching. I wasn't sure if this was a sign... Of what? I don't know...

Chad pulled out the muffins and flattened the paper bag, placing both muffins on top. He removed the top of my coffee lid, handing it to me, "thank you," I smiled as our fingers brushed, his eyes twinkled at me, he grabbed his own and sat back, "I tried to call, you know?" He said casually, "but I couldn't get through, I thought that I had upset you." I blushed out of embarrassment, "Oh! No!" I placed my coffee down, avoiding eye contact, "actually, my phone broke..." I chuckled dryly, "how did it break?" Asked Chad, for a second I thought his voice sounded colder, I looked at him, c*****g my head to the side, "I dropped it in the toilet," I said cautiously, my anxiety returning. He broke out into a grin, confusing me, but maybe, it was me. I was probably on edge from my mother and now, I was internalising everything. "That's kind of funny, but hey, it's happened to me before." I picked at the blueberries in my muffin, he placed his coffee down, his eyes darting from my muffin to my face, "I'm sorry if I've upset you," he said in a soft sympathetic voice, "what?" I asked, as I looked up at him. "I'm not usually so nosy," he said nervously, "I guess, I feel something special for you, well- You're a- special," he fumbled with his words, making me smile, "I just- What I'm trying to say is, I like you..."