"Okay, one kid on Santa's lap at a time. He doesn't have the same legs he used to one hundred years ago." Clare said, guiding the little kids towards the throne where the big man himself was sitting, well, someone who looks like him. "I said a line, not bundle!"

She sighed in frustration, wondering again why she was doing this.

A week ago, her laptop, the one she uses to write racy vampire fanfic, had crashed and was claimed unfixable. She had to work in order to find four hundred dollars for a new one and this was the only place left that had nice pay and was 'a great experience for all teenagers'. Yeah, because being an elf in a toy store is the best job a girl could have. She only had ten minutes left in her shift, when she could change clothes and go home.

Her eyes grew wide and she stopped in her tracks.

'My clothes! Did I bring them?'

She dropped the candy canes in her hand and ran out to the locker rooms.

After putting in her combination, the blue door opened and her bag appeared. She opened it and checked every inch of it.

'They're not here! I'm going to have to walk home in this costume! This looks like one of the things Alli would wear, not me! People can see me. They can torture me for life! Or worst yet, a pervert could drive by and grab me! I'm going to have to call someone to drive me home, but Alli doesn't have a car. And my parents are at work. The only person left with a car and is available is…Eli.'

She cringed at the thought of him seeing her in…that, but it was her only option.

Sighing, she got her phone from her only side pocket. After finding his number, she pressed talk and waited for him to pick up.

"Hello?"

"Hey Eli, I need your help."

"Sure, what is it?"

"Uhm, I'm at Totsie's Toys and my shift is over. I kinda need a ride home."

"Wait, since when did you work at a toy store?"

"Since my computer broke, now can you come please?"

"I'll be there soon."

"Kay, thanks."

She hung up and went outside to wait for him.

Ten minutes later, a hearse appeared, driving to a stop in front of the store.

Clare grabbed her bag and looked down at her outfit one more time. She looked back up when she heard a door open then close.

"I still can't believe you work here. It's for kids for god's sakes! And I heard 'Santa and his elves' were coming for a visit. Have you seen them…" He stopped mid-sentence when he saw what she was wearing. His eyes were moving from the fake green highlights to the knee long, green and red dress, all the way down to her green sparkly flats.

"Whoa. You're one of Santa's elves. When you said you worked here, I thought you meant organizing and stuff. Not wearing that." He said, pointing to her dress.

"Now you know. Can we please get out of here? People are staring, well, so are you. But still, let's just go." She walked towards the car, opening the passenger door and sliding in.

After a moment of collecting himself, he went inside and they drove off.

It was a quiet ride, a bit strange though considering how Eli would look at her during every red light. Clare was very grateful though because since it was winter, the sun would set earlier and it was already dark outside. That was very dangerous and Eli knew that, too.

"Clare, have you been walking in the dark all these days? Why didn't you call me? You know I have nothing better to do at this hour."

"I know, but it's embarrassing."

"No, it isn't. As long as you're safe, nothing is. Do you know how dangerous this neighborhood is at this time? Who knows what could've happened to you. And if something did, I wouldn't be able to live with myself."

Clare looked at him, regretful.

"Eli, I'm sorry. I promise I'll call you from now on."

"Promise?"

The car stopped in front of her house, snow was starting to fall slowly to the ground.

She nodded and stuck out her pinky. He smirked and interlocked his with hers. She smiled and pulled his hand towards her, crashing her lips with his.

Once they parted, Clare looked at the road and smiled wider.

"It's snowing hard. Wanna come inside until it settles down?"

"Clare, it's scheduled to snow until morning."

"And?"

He raised his eyebrow and turned off the engine.

"You've got one great way of persuasion, Blue Eyes."


Hey! Sorry I haven't updated. My wifi was taken away when some carpenters were working at my house. Great timing, right?
Lol, hope you liked!

R+R

Nicolle 3