The Red Bow (Jhoaiah)

14: Best Christmas Ever

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December 24th, 2014 – First year of college.

The day was considered the coldest of the year. There were three snowmen scattered across the Arceta's Yard and Christmas lights of every color, hanging on the porch and trees surrounding the grounds, gave life to that house. Aiah, Jhoanna and Alison had done a good job with the decorations, and they were proud of it. The Filipina girl hung a garland on the front door that contained a wooden plaque with the inscription of Arceta family. In the living room, a four-meter Christmas tree, that Jhoanna had bought as a gift to the family, was also decorated by the young couple who took longer than necessary, due to Aiah who insisted on hanging the ornaments on Jhoanna instead of the tree. Alison hung several colored socks on the mantelpiece and left her Olaf doll on top of it so Santa could see it when he arrived in the early hours. Malou had kicked them out of the kitchen when Jhoanna offered to help with dinner, saying that she needed to enjoy her 'dating' and that she could get her husband's help as soon as he returned from town, where he had gone to fetch the drinks.

And now, Jhoanna was at Aiah's desk with her notebook open and an open book beside it after a long shower; needed to finish that project before she went on holiday and avoid Mr. David tormenting her in the middle of New Year. It was already dusk, from the bedroom window it was possible to watch a beautiful sunset on the horizon that covered the sky with red and orange colors. Lying on the bed with her legs crossed in the air, Aiah had a pink attached to her phone and kept her eyes closed while her elbows were resting on the bed and her hands supporting her face.

"Aiah, can I use your printer? I need-" When Jhoanna turned to continue, she found the most beautiful of the scenes.

Aiah didn't seem to belong to this world. Her closed eyes gently formed an innocent golden around that beautiful angel; a slight warm smile played on her lips indicating she was listening to a song she really liked. Her long brunette hair was lightly disarranged, and the gray Hogwarts sweater made it extremely magnificent.

Then Jhoanna stopped, or rather forgot all she was doing, and approached the bed carefully; sat on the floor, folded her arms on the mattress, leaning her head in front of the girl, they were within inches, and the younger girl was sure she would be like that forever and ever if she were allowed to. Jhoanna breathed in marshmallow's scent and breathed out slowly, her breath playing in the strand of her hair falling beneath her dreamy face.

Little by little, Aiah opened her eyes and allowed herself to smile a little more when she encountered the most beautiful brown eyes she ever seen.

"I love the way you look at me." She said quietly taking off the phone and leaving it on the neck.

Jhoanna blinked, still admiring the surreal girl who now had in her finger the ring that proved she belonged to her.

"Promise we're going to be crazy old women?" she asked, taking her hand to Aiah's face as if touching porcelain and sliding her fingers over lightly tanned skin, which made the brunch close her eyes appreciating the gentle touch. "Promise we will tell our to our children and to anyone who is worthy to hear it?"

"I promise, my love." She said opening her eyes and pulling Jhoanna by the hand until they were lying flat on the bed, the younger girl resting on her chest with her arms firmly holding her waist. "We're going to be the most beautiful couple in town, walking around with seventy years stumbling on each other, or even stuck in an asylum by our children."

Jhoanna laughed and pulled the closer until they were comfortably warm and protected from the cold.

"How many kids do you think we're going to have?"