Midnight Mistletoe

Katherine Bennett

When I woke up this morning, something was off about Derek. For some unknown reason, he seemed to be distant toward me.

At breakfast, he only exchanged two words with me.

I wonder why?

Did I do something wrong?

As I recall what we did last night, I don’t think I did.

Maybe it’s nothing.

Maybe I’m imagining things.

I try not to think too much about Derek’s mood swings as I take a shower before going downstairs to see if my mother needs me for something.

If I’m busy, it will help me not to overthink about all of this.

After my shower, I decided to put on my dark blue jeans with holes above the knee and a simple black T-shirt with white letters on the front that said Bring it on. I adjust the necklace Derek gave me yesterday before I brush my wet hair and put it in a ponytail.

I walk down the stairs to look for my mother. “Hey, mom. Do you need some help?”

My mother arches her eyebrows. “Aren’t you helping Derek laud the car?”

My lips part in surprise. “What?”

“He said you were leaving soon,” Jenna informs me.

He did?

Why hasn’t he informed me?

I hear the front door open and close.

That must be Derek.

Perfect!

I need some answers.

I don’t wait and go to him before he decides to do anything else.

As Derek sees me approach him, he’s not trying to avoid me or anything, but he doesn’t look at me the same way he did yesterday.

“What’s wrong with you?” I ask before I even think of the way I should question him.

I didn’t mean to attack him with my question. It just came out.

He frowns, clearly displeased with my question. “What do you mean?”

Is he seriously pretending that nothing is wrong right about now?

His answer irritates me.

I cross my arms in front of me as if it will put some distance between us.

“You have acted so strangely toward me since this morning.” I take a deep breath before asking my next question. “Did I do something wrong? Is it me? Have I done something to upset you?”

Derek stands right in front of me but doesn’t make any attempt to touch me. “Nothing is wrong with you, freckles. Why are you even saying that?”

“Then tell me, why are you acting this way?” I take a step back. “Do you want to end whatever is going on between us?”

It’s the only thing I can think about.

He shakes his head. “I have a lot in my mind right now. Can we not do this now?”

I chew the inside of my lips, wondering if I should let this go.

Maybe it’s not the time or the place to have this conversation.

If I continue pursuing this, I may get things worse than they already are.

“Your mother informed me that we are leaving soon? How come you didn’t warn me?”

“I wanted to tell you, but you were in the shower,” Derek answers my question.

Two hours later, we were ready to leave.

“I’m so glad you both found each other.” My mother smiles.

I sigh. “I know, mom. You already told me.”

She kisses my cheek. “Merry Christmas. Please don’t wait two weeks before you call me, mhmm.”

“I won’t, Mom. I promise.”

Nana is speaking with Derek, and whatever she’s telling him, he seems surprised, and then his eyes land on me.

I went to her once they were done talking. “What did you tell Derek?”

“Only the truth. That both of you love one another, and I can’t wait to have a great-grandchild before I die. I’m not getting younger, you know.”

Me in love with Derek?

She didn’t have to tell me this. I already knew. I just didn’t have the chance to tell him.

Wait!

Did she say, great-grandchild?

I shouldn’t be surprised. She already mentioned this to me when I picked her up with Derek at her residency.

Derek is saying goodbye to his parents as I go see my father.

“Bye, Dad.” I bring my arms around him.

“Don’t worry. Your secret is safe with me.” My father whispers in my ear.

I frown as I look at him.

“When you announced that you and Derek were an item, I knew it was a lie.”

My eyes widen. “Dad…” I clear my throat. “Why didn’t you say anything?”

“It would have broken your mother’s heart. I don’t know what happened, and I don’t want to know, but now you look at him differently, and so does he. If he hurts you, I won’t hesitate to put him in his place, even if he is my best friend’s son.”

Just as I was about to speak, he went ahead. “Don’t worry, I won’t say anything to your mother. As I said, I don’t want to break her heart.

I wrap my arms around him. “Thank you, Daddy.”

On the way home, while Derek is driving, nothing has changed. He is still distant for some reason. I don’t dare to ask him as he’s driving. I feel as a f there’s an invisible wall preventing us from talking.

I don’t like this.

An hour later, he parks in front of the building where I live.

“I need some time to think,” Derek says suddenly.

What?

Derek swallows nervously before speaking. “I didn’t want to say anything while we were at your parent’s house, and I’m sorry to do this today, but what we have is going way too fast.”

I move my arms up in the air. “I don’t get it. You were the one who didn’t want to end what is going on between us and now…”

“I know. I’m confused…”

“Oh, you’re confused.” I cut him off. “Well, let me make this easy for you. Don’t call me until you’re a real man while he’s not afraid to go after what he wants. Get your shit together. And to think I was ready to tell you I love you. Screw you, Derek Sawyer!”

I don’t say anything else and storm out of his car without looking back.

Stepping inside my apartment, my tears stream down my cheeks, crying over Derek. I grab and eat the ice cream from my freezer.

Merry Christmas to me!