~2.3K words

Another thing to add to the 'Reasons to hate December compiled by Serena Yvonne': the wet feeling on your feet as you trudge through the snow.

Rubber boots have always been parents' fanaticism, especially mothers'. One, they reduced the work for mothers as rubber boots need not be washed or dried before second use. Two, they prevented kids from getting their socks wet and let them play freely in the snow, with a reduced chance of catching a cold. And third, mothers did not have to worry about kids whining and kicking off the boots since they have little to no care for fashion because they just want to make snow angels and snowmen.

And snow-women, and their kids, and grandkids and etcetera etcetera . . .

But rubber boots are no longer part of the equation when you grow into a teen. It's a big, fat, ugly stain on your fashion sense and popularity.

Serena had learnt it the hard way. There was only one school in Vaniville, Vaniville Town School. It wasn't a big school but it was the middle and high school for kids in and around Vaniville. Serena, Clemont, Bonnie and all kids at the orphanage went there and loved it. Given the number of students was limited and there were plenty teachers, students received personal attention from the teachers and so the students mostly excelled. It wasn't solely education centric; Vaniville Town School was known all across the continent for giving expert vocational training as well. Clemont's science and engineering ideas and Serena's innate baking skills had improved considerably in Vaniville Town.

But it wasn't devoid of bullies. Since the inauguration of a separate department for vocational training, Vaniville Town saw a huge influx of students from all over Japan to pursue their dream careers. And this invited the kids from rich families as well.

Basically those who are up to no good in your regular subjects but somehow show wonders when it comes to drawing portraits of their teachers.

As much as Serena tried to stay out of their radar, she still managed to get caught up with some bullies and was mocked endlessly for petty things. It got worse when word spilled out that the local orphanage kids attended the school and Serena was one of them. From thereon, she was bullied for the 'poor, slum-like' life she must be living; eating moldy breads for two meals a day and wearing worn out clothes for the rest of her life—not to forget the leaking roof, if there even was a roof.

Serena then retarded to the back of the class, staying out of the spotlight as much as possible. She had no friends and was pretty much on her own since eighth grade. She entered high school with zero excitement and high school was just another thing on her to-do list. She couldn't wait to graduate and escape the place.

All because I was I bullied for wearing rubber boots in eighth.

But they were exactly what she needed right now.

She had initially started walking, taking each step carefully to avoid her shoes from getting too wet but at this point, it didn't matter anymore. She casually strolled down the street, kicking the snow and dragging her feet to leave a trail.

The events that had led her to going out and walking in the snow had been unpredictable on most parts. But somewhere Serena knew she'd have to do something equivalent to a punishment after the look on Mama Grace's face.

"Well finally you two princesses have come downstairs to grace the lunch table with your presence," a visibly furious Mama Grace hollered sarcastically as Bonnie and Serena timidly entered the room.

"We are sorry Ma—" but Bonnie was interrupted by a fury of reply steaming off from Grace.

"Well sorry won't make up for the fact that now your food is cold and I have to wait for another half an hour before I can do the dishes and clean the whole place!"

"We will help you with tha—" Serena tried but to no avail.

"No!" The brunette pointed at Serena and held up a finger, "you, missy, will go and do the grocery alone. And Bonnie here will do the dishes after you two are done eating."

And like that Grace had left no room for discussion or debate. Initially, she was going to accompany the honey blonder for the groceries spree but now Serena was forced to go out and grab groceries on a gloomy, sunless, snowy day, alone. And she severely regretted the lack of rubber boots.

But regret doesn't take you anywhere.

The honey blonde cast her eyes to the sky, taking in the grayness and letting it sink in. The weather reflected every single emotion she was feeling. The tiny world she was carefreely floating in crashed down like a glass breaking when she was yanked back by a strong grip on her arm. She stumbled back, slipping on the snow beneath her boots but she never fell. Instead, a pair of arms grabbed her shoulders and steadied her back on her feet.

"You alright!?" A panicked male voice enunciated hurriedly.

Serena turned around and looked at the speaker who had pulled her back just in time and saved her from a snow-clearing truck that was lazily rolling down the street just a few moments ago.

She hastened to stand up straight, stepping a few feet away from the boy, and tucked her hair behind her ear, a habit she hated but was ingrained in her subconscious whenever she shied away. "Yeah, I am fine," she nodded, "thank you for that," she mumbled and looked up at the boy.

He was two, or maybe three heads taller than her, she noted. Mahogany, tousled hair, as if it hadn't been combed in years, yet there was a fine and neat shine in them. His eyes looked black but Serena wasn't convinced.

"No problem, anything for a pretty girl like you," he winked flirtatiously which made Serena raise a brow at him. Not only had her rescuer touched her—

—her arms and that too just to save her, but never mind—

—without her permission but now was also making lame efforts to flirt with her.

Well, his face does scream 'I can be your senpai!'

He looked at her, as if expecting a certain reaction, but when he received none, he slumped and rubbed the back of his neck. "You won't blush or even say a sweet thank you?"

Oh, so he is still learning.

"Was that what you were expecting from me?" She said slowly and added carefully, "from a stranger?" He nodded absent-mindedly and the honey-blonde nodded weirdly, feeling a growing nervousness in her stomach. She wasn't used to talking to people, much less boys and at this point she didn't know what else to say except leave as soon as possible.

"O-kay, uhmm thank you again and I should be going," she uttered and turned on her heel to make a quick escape but he didn't let her. He grabbed her arm with his hand gently, yet firmly.

This caused the bells in Serena's head to start ringing in alarm. She snapped her head towards him and tried to squirm out of his grip, "let me go o-or I—I w-will scream!" She threatened, but it came out more like a whimper than a threat.

Her reaction caused the mahogany-head to let go of the girl and raise his arms submissively. "I am sorry, I didn't mean to—I am not going to hurt you. I just need help getting some directions," he explained.

The sincerity in his voice caught her attention and she rubbed her arm where he had grabbed her. "I am sorry about that," he added guiltily and the honey blonde shook her head dismissively.

She eyed him suspiciously and prompted him to go on, "well, where do you want to go? And don't you dare touch me again. The next time you do that, I will poke your eyes out," she added, mumbling swiftly, just loud enough for him to hear.

The boy stifled a laugh and coughed it away when Serena narrowed her eyes further at him. "I am sorry but I can't take you seriously, you seem too sweet to be capable of taking someone's eye out."

The honey blonde felt her face flood with heat as she tried to process what the boy had just said.

What's with him and complimenting girls?

"Oh, so that's how you blush. I was wondering how some red would look on your pale face. It really suits you," he grinned a half grin. Upon receiving another cold stare from the girl, the boy sighed in defeat and looked at her, "okay I will stop. I just want to know the way to Miss Pete's."

So that's why you have been talking for the past 'I-don't-know-how-many' minutes.

"Just across the road and immediately right at the corner . . ." Serena replied with a couple of hand movements and the boy nodded, giving her his undivided attention. "It really isn't as hard as it sounds."

The boy sighed and rubbed his head, "I am bad with my memory and directions in general. So even a simple left and right will make me question, 'wasn't it right and then left? Oh no wait, it was left first, right?'" His mumbling in quick succession of short breaths made Serena sigh and giggle out of amusement.

He is still talking. And is an idiot.

Hearing her giggle, the boy relaxed and chuckled. "By the way, I am Gary." He extended his hand out for a friendly handshake. Serena seemed a bit skeptical at first and questioned, "well you are bad with your memory, so should I feel safe to know that you'll forget my name if I tell you?"

Gary smirked mischievously and shrugged, "I don't forget pretty girls with pretty names."

The honey-blonde rolled her eyes and hummed in response, hiding her second round of getting flustered. She took his hand and shook it lightly, "Serena."

His hand is warm.

He smiled victoriously and looked in the direction the honey blonde had pointed in, letting go of her hand. The honey-blonde immediately sulked on losing his warmth. "Across the road and immediately left—"

"—right."

"Right, right, absolutely." He nodded knowingly and looked back at her, "thank you so very much Serena. I shall now make my way towards Miss Pete's 'cos I am kind of in a hurry. It was nice to make your acquaintance and hopefully I get to see you around sometime," he bowed royally before giving her a small salute. He stuffed his hands in his pockets and started walking towards his destination.

Serena smiled and let out a sigh once he was gone. This was the longest she had talked to someone outside her home and it partly exhausted her. For the rest of the part, it excited her. Not only did she talk to a person, but she talked to a boy. A handsome boy. And although his compliments didn't count towards anything since he was a stranger, they were still compliments.

Mama Grace will freak out when I tell her.

She resumed her way to Miss Pete's, replaying her meeting with Gary and day dreaming about how the conversation with Mama would go when she tells her about him.

I have to tell Clemont and Bonnie too how Gary saved me and—

She stopped and felt the blood gushing into her face when realization hit her; she had just directed Gary to Miss Pete's so he would still be there. She stood rooted to her spot, contemplating whether she had the option of going back and lying about Miss Pete's being closed.

As fairytale-ish this feels, I do not want to see him so soon.

She sucked in a long breath and exhaled, knowing well enough how she would be adding to Grace's anger if she went back empty handed. She slumped and started trudging slowly towards her destination, hoping the mahogany haired boy would leave by the time she reaches.

Well, I guess we are seeing each other sooner than expected but I hope we don't.

so well you wouldn't be able to guess this but guess what—i talked to a boy. the important thing here is that i, serena yvonne, talked to someone after ages, without much troubles. okay i mean there were some troubles but not a ton! this is an achievement. his name is gary, by the way.

okay okay I know you really don't care but i do. maybe i am overthinking and overexaggerating and over-dreaming but he is handsome. so maybe i might give things a go with him. he hasn't shown interest like that but well he asked my name and ostensibly flirted with me. and he also hoped to see me again.

so you see how i am progressing. i am moving on. no more thinking about you, no more nights spent just imagining how puberty must've hit you and how drop dead gorgeous you must look these days. i have found someone else to be fixated on and pine for. this town is a small place and no person in their right mind would leave vaniville before seeing our christmas. so, i am guaranteed to see him again one day or the other.

yep, i am completely over you now. so, no more talking to you.

Bye, Ash. 

P.S.: He is a cute idiot.

A/N: **stares at you and smiles, giving a thumbs up**