24 December 2020

Park Residence

I would spend NYE with the members of Pristin so my boyfriend agreed to meet today. When I heard the crunch of tyres on the snow, I perked up while my family was enjoying the festive version of My My on the radio. The home security system chimed and a few seconds later, I opened the door to Santa Claus, gingerly holding a picnic basket in his hand.

"It's too cold for a picnic so we helped eomma make Chinese for lunch," I let him in and pointed out the space heater to him. The scent of luosifen, chow mein, mala xiangguo, and tangsuyuk permeated the air and stimulated the appetite. However, Junhui seemed more concerned with the wicker container.

"She isn't for eating," he held the basket out to me and I placed it on the floor, wondering what manner of creature was my Christmas present. "OMG, look at the little white socks!" I exclaimed once I had opened the lid and the black kitten had decided to explore its new home. My sisters gathered around, ready to shower it with affection from a distance.

"It's your new baby so I didn't name it," the singer blushed when he saw how pleased I was.

"Panther," I decided after the eponymous Marvel movie. The tableau was like something out of an old-timey, feel-good movie. My parents snapped photos and I knew they would share these with friends. Not wanting her to feel lonely while we were in the kitchen, I took out the bowl and chunks he had thoughtfully included in a separate partition of the basket.

"I see my stocking," Jun's head was tilted in the direction of the plastic conifer. Contained within was a beret that I thought he would look cute in (in lieu of a smoking cap), suspenders like the one from the Aju Nice era, a shaving kit, a pair of comfortable slippers, a scarf, a jar of homemade cookies, and a case for his reading glasses; the closest to the Victorian era that I could get.

"Maybe I should have gotten you something else?" I hesitated when he was rendered speechless.

"No," the idol wiped away a tear that had escaped, "it's perfect: I couldn't celebrate Christmas because of what had happened to the lady of Saltstew Manor. As our new tradition, for the next few years, I want you to give me a stocking themed with each decade I spent in the USA," the singer smiled at me as he hugged his present.

"Let's go, the food is getting cold," I took his hand and led him to the table.

"I'm so stuffed," I sank onto the piano stool, having finally been able to move.

"Can you give me another present today?" the vampire joined me.

"Maybe I should have put a lump of coal in the stocking," he was one of the few people in the world who would know that it was originally a symbol of good luck.

"I want to hear you sing, please," the heart-shaped lips pouted.

"Okay," I hastily agreed, the moles near his delectable mouth made me want to kiss him in front of everyone. My family members joined in his request and I added the condition that it would be a duet. We sat upright and our hands hovered above the keyboard. He whispered the title of the song in my ear and I gushed: I starred in this MV pre-debut.

"It's cold but I wear pretty clothes. It's snowing but I wear high heels. I want to walk all night with you tonight," I sang the parts of Orange Caramel while he sang that of Nu'est. "Dashing through the snow, I search for you. This feeling of running to you. The cold wind feels so refreshing. You, you are a bigger present than anything in this world."

Once we were done singing Dashing through the Snow with High Heels, my family burst into applause. How I wish that our groups could have done a similar collaboration. I looked at the mistletoe twigs above: they were conduits of dreams unachieved, providing balance to the festive goodwill; a fortune-teller's wishing well.

His phone rang and he answered it. "I'll be outside in five minutes, merman." There were no secrets between us so I helped him bundle up while he waited for Vernon oppa. The rapper was visiting his girlfriend, which got me wondering when the next GFriend comeback would be. "Oh no, I forgot to do your tarot reading!"

"If your parents would allow you, we could do it on the doorstep while we wait?" he smiled and they nodded at his plan. Sluggish as I was, I put on my jacket and wrapped a scarf around my neck. We put our outdoor shoes on and opened the door. Once I locked up, I surprised him by capturing his lips so harshly; I backed him against the door.

"Payment received," I drew away, with a smirk that would have gotten me on the real Santa's Naughty List.

"You are lucky there's no chair on this porch because I would have you sit on my lap," he sexily wiped my lipstick off his mouth. I ran, advancing to the front gate, getting me enough time to remove the wooden casket from the pocket of my jacket. He caught up and kissed my forehead, prepared for the reading. He picked the five cards and I revealed them.

"Six of Swords: you'll be leaving me behind," I wouldn't begrudge him about his time in China as I would want to see my family after 3 years apart. Queen of Pentacles: you will enjoy financial security and creature comforts. Three of Cups: you will make new friends and be happy. Eight of Wands: 2021 will bring rapid action, requiring quick decisions. The Hanged Man reversed: don't fear sacrifice."

"Thank you," my boyfriend pulled me into a hug and only let go when he picked up the sounds of punk rock being played in Vernon's Tesla. I opened the gate and waved goodbye to him, only going back inside once I could no longer make out the car in the flurry of falling snowflakes, looking like white cherry blossoms in spring.