Fist of all: I am so sorry. A friend of mine unexpectantly invited me out yesterday and I couldn't write, let alone upload, yesterdays chapter.

So today you'll have two chapters. And if I manage, Christmas Eve (today's chapter) should be a longer one.

Disclaimer: All Oda's

A Merry Christmas to all of you – Enjoy!

When I got up on Friday I was utterly relieved to find the week finally over. Tomorrow was Christmas Eve and I would get a whole of two weeks to get over my crush on Eustass Kid. Enough time… If it only were a simple crush that is. But I decided to ignore that fact.

Getting down for breakfast I found my mother with a serious expression on her face and I immediately knew what it meant. She wouldn't be home for Christmas; again. I gave her a reassuring smile and waited for her explanation.

"Oh dear… I am so, so sorry. I didn't know until a few minutes ago when the call came through. Makino fell ill and I'm the only one to take over the shift tomorrow night. But I promise, I will be home on Christmas Day!" I gave her a hug. I knew she'd been trying to avoid this for the whole of December. They always tried to get her for the evening shift on the twenty-fourth because she was the customer's darling. And I did believe that she had been surprised by the call today.

"Don't worry Mum.. If you're home somewhen during my holidays it's fine. We'll just celebrate on another day. Who cares?" I did care. But it was ok. What did give me a headache though was the fact that I'd have to spend this special day of the year alone and with a broken heart. "I need to go to school now. Will you be here when I come home?" She nodded and gave me a small smile. I could see how guilty she felt and decided that I'd buy her something additional for this year's Christmas. Maybe she would believe me then that I didn't mind her working tomorrow. I knew it wasn't her fault.

Grabbing my jacket and bag I left the apartment. I had my first cigarette between my lips before I even made it to the letter box, having picked it from my stock under the nightstand. I just hoped she wouldn't look out of the window. Since Kid's rejection I had smoked a hell lot more than usually and the few cigarettes I hid close to the letter box were used up.

Only a few minutes later I turned around the corner to the school grounds, nearly colliding with someone. I muttured a 'Sorry' and tried to get past the person but was held back by a hand on around my waist. I took a shuddering breath. I knew this feeling; knew this body that held me close. And I knew the soft lips that pressed on my neck. Eustass Kid.

I closed my eyes for a moment and tried to regain my control. I hadn't expected him to be here today, especailly not as I was rather early for the first lesson and harly anyone was around. The street, at which the school was built, was deserted. I opened my eyes again, looking straight ahead, trying to ignore the feeling of his arms around me. "What do you want?"

Once more he pressed his lips on my neck, whispering against my skin: "I'm sorry." I grit my teeth, not ready to belive him. The pain sat deep, and I wouldn't allow him to close the open wound so easily and just regain my trust and heart. "What for? For playing with me or for hurting me?" I felt him tense, his grip around me tightening.

"For rejecting you, when you mean everything to me." I felt my heart skip a beat and my stomach clench, hope bubbling up in me. No! I wouldn't let him fool me so easily again. It was painful enough to be rejected the first time, I was not going to make the same mistake again. "Let me go. I'm fed up with your lies." My voice was a snarl, trying to scare him away and reasure myself at the same time. I needed to get away from his warm embrace or I would be lost. I couldn't resist him.. Not for long.

"Law… I really am sorry. Shaki was killing herself laughing when I told her what happened. And she kicked my ass for being a complete dickhead." I swallowd the lump that built in my throat. This sounded a lot like Shaki. "You were in the Logue Town Coffee?" I felt him nod behind me. Should I belive him and risk to be hurt again?

"Are you serious about this..?" I heard the tremble in my voice and frowned. This guy had a fucking bad influence on me. He loosened his grip around me and let his arms drop to his side. Nevertheless he didn't move away from me. "Law… Look at me."

I turned around hesitantly, looking around quickly. The street was still deserted and I wondered if I had missed an announcement that stated the first lesson was cancelled. Slowly I raised my head and met his gaze. Was he unsure? My heart was beeting too fast and I was sure he could feel it. I stood too close to him.

He brushed a finger over my cheek, searching my eyes for something that would help him; something that would tell him that I was trusting him (again). "Law… What do I need to do so you'll trust me again?" I shock my head slowly, trying to escape his eyes. "Law. What do I need to do?" I had no idea why I said the words I said next, but I did. "Kiss me…" I whispered.

And Kid did. In front of the school, on the open street he bend town, wrapping his arms around me the same time and kissed me. His lips were soft, his kiss hesitant and careful. He didn't press further, didn't try to deepen the kiss. And I melted in his arms. Why did I even let him do this? He broke the kiss, pressing his forehead against mine. "Do you have plans for tomorrow?" "No…" "Will you come over to my place…" I nodded.

Well… Sorry again for the late upload. And thank you all for reading, floowing and reviewing.

I'm working on the next chapter

Read & Review please – Thanks!