James Route.
As Stacy wandered through the cluttered groups of people she couldn't help but draw closer to the large Christmas tree that was set up. It was nearly two floors tall, the open lobby seemingly the perfect location for it to be set up. It was clear that it was a real pine tree, the tips of her fingers fumbling over the closest branch. It was dressed in beautiful shades of gold and red, the placements of all the objects well thought out. The small, dim yellow lights seemed to fit the mood perfectly; they didn't stand out from the crowd, it merely enhanced the decoration on the tree. The only thing that stood out on the masterpiece was the brightly glowing silver star that proudly sat at the top.
"Are you alright there Miss?" a strong, level male voice spoke breaking her trail of thoughts. Stacy glanced to her right, having to tilt her head upwards to land her eyes on the newcomer's face. Stacy couldn't help but feel she knew this stranger yet she found no name to his face as she studied it; messy dark hair, golden eyes that seemed to gleam behind his glasses and a polite but strong atmosphere that radiated off his form.
"Yes I'm fine" Stacy politely spoke, gathering herself quickly as she returned her eyes back to the tree.
"I was just admiring the decorations on the tree" she truthfully told him and without looking she knew he was smiling her way.
"Ah… I'm glad you approve of them. It took us a while to choose the colours" the male told her. Stacy was quick to register his words, turning her eyes back onto his face.
She had never formally met Mika's house-mates but she was quick to realise the newcomer was one of them. She quickly recalled previous tales Mika had told of them, trying to picture which one it was. Mika wasn't usually one to discuss her home life, sometimes starting a tale but never finishing it. Stacy found it odd at times, wondering if something prevented her speaking freely but she was patient and never pressed the topic.
"Oh, you must be one of Mika's house-mates… James, right?" Stacy lightly spoke and with the smile extending on his face she knew she had guessed right.
"Correct" he smoothly answered, tilting his head in greeting.
"And you must be Stacy, a friend Mika met at college" the man she now knew as James continued on and for the briefest moment Stacy was surprised before she openly grinned.
"Seems you're correct too" she playfully responded which seemed to spark James.
"Mika gave us a good description, it's easy to spot you in a crowd" he spoke matter-of-factly and for the smallest of moments Stacy frowned at his words, knowing that he was quick to notice the motion as she returned to her usual welcoming self.
"She mentioned you were thinking of taking up the teaching job at your college" he continued on, as if shifting the topic slightly and she laughed.
"Yeah I was thinking about it" she spoke but then shrugged, her laugh faded.
"Not sure which subject though" she honestly confessed making the man hum.
"Mika did say you were taking an admirable amount of subjects" James thought aloud and Stacy sheepishly smiled.
"I've taken eight in total if you don't count extra activities" she awkwardly told him, expecting the usual dumbfounded expression people gave her but he was different. He was actually intrigued and had a look of admiration in his eyes.
"Which subjects are you studying?" he curiously asked and it surprised Stacy that he was generally interested in what she did. Many just looked upon her as a nerd without truly caring about her interests.
"Well I've been doing History, Social Sciences, Biological Sciences and Religious Education since I started. I then picked up Psychology, Modern Languages and then English Language and Lit in my third year after speaking to the college. They were concerned that my grades would drop if I took more subjects but I managed to prove them wrong" Stacy listed, thankful that James didn't instantly mock her.
"And you do extra activities on top of that?" he asked in surprise and she gently laughed, nodding.
"I'm a quick learner… Plus I like to learn and keep myself busy" she told him casually making the man laugh.
"So you're saying that I could ask you any question on these topics and you could answer them?" James asked, his brow raising playfully and Stacy couldn't help but brighten up.
"Are you challenging me?" she asked, her curiosity getting the better of her as James smirked.
"I am" he stated, his heart increasing in speed as the shorter woman before him straightened her form.
"Well let's get started" she suggested, her brain already working at full speed. She loved a challenge, especially when it came down to knowledge.
Over the time they remained together James and Stacy had retreated themselves to the study, glad to be in a much quieter place. James was relentless in his task, the questions becoming increasingly harder as the minutes went by. Stacy was surprised by how much he knew yet she was comforted by the fact that there was someone out there similar to her, someone who thirsted for knowledge. She answered James's next question without a second to think and James seemed to grin.
"And what about Angels?" he asked, remaining on the topic of Religious Education.
When starting this topic Stacy had been extremely cautious, knowing that there were many beliefs and stories concerning it all. What kept her on her toes though was James's responses; instead of expecting factual answers he now seemed to look for opinions and knowledge build around them.
"Are you referring to all of them are just one type?" she carefully asked.
"Hmmm… let's start with Guardian Angels" he suggested making Stacy thoughtfully nod.
"Well…" she murmured,
"They're known to protect certain individuals, watching over them as time goes by. They usually protect humanity, a prayer from the dead sparking the contract. It's also told that they contain great strength however I feel that can be debateable" she slowly spoke, knowing that James wanted her to continue on.
"I feel that they must earn their strength from somewhere, I find it hard to believe that they're instantly strong. I just think that they have to truly believe in protecting the individual, whether that be stronger prayers from the one they're contracted with or simply seeing that the individual is worth protecting through acts of good…" Stacy explained, taking the final sip out of her wine glass. James hummed in agreement, taking a moment to remove his glasses and rub his eyes.
"You seem to have a very open mind, especially on this topic" he openly told her making her laugh lightly, her worn out energy unmasked.
"Well everyone has their own views and personal experiences, there's not really much for me to say on the topic besides what's written in the books. Some people think there's nothing out there while there's others who think everything is out there… Some say they're there to protect humanity, some say it's to guide us, and some say they're out to harm us" she responded with a half-hearted shrug, referring to all things that were not human.
"And what do you think?" James directly asked, leaning forward in the chair opposite her. Stacy shifted her eyes away from his, looking out of the darkened window next to her.
"I'd like to think there's more out there" she softly spoke.
"Even if there's bad things out there?" James carefully asked, watching her every more closely.
"Everything must have balance. If there is bad out there then there must be good" Stacy slowly said, returning her eyes to his.
"I think everything has a purpose in our lives, sometimes things aren't simply white and black…" she softly said, her words silently warming James's heart.
Throughout their conversation James had pleasantly enjoyed her presence, glad to find someone that matched his own intelligence. A loud knock interrupted Stacy's words as they both looked over, surprised to see Mika and another male standing at the doorway with an annoyed expression.
"I told you this would happen" the male knowingly mumbled with a shake of his head but Mika paid him no heed as she spoke.
"Damien said you two ended up here" Mika said, biting back a laugh.
"It's nearly midnight" she told them which James quickly stood to, holding out a hand towards Stacy.
"I must apologise for keeping you so long" he gently said.
"Seems I lost track of time and made you miss out on the party" he added with downcast eyes but his mood darkened even more as the other male spoke.
"My brother does love a battle of intelligence, it helps him expand that high ego of his" the male roughly spoke.
"Sam!" Mika quickly snapped, giving him a harsh jab in the ribs but Stacy laughed, taking James's hand as he helped her stand.
"It's quite alright, you weren't the only one who lost track of time" she gently said to James, turning her focus to the one named Sam.
"Plus I couldn't simply decline a battle of wits, especially if it helps to keep someone's ego in place" she jokingly said, earning a smirk from Sam.
"Damien did say you were kicking his ass" he smugly boasted, earning a confused look from Stacy and a hidden embarrassed smile from James.
"Anyway" Mika quickly butted in, grabbing a hold of the conversation before Sam's tongue got the better of him.
"The last song is about to play, Erik's picked one of his special songs" Mika suggestively spoke and James knowingly smiled, his hand never leaving Stacy's.
"Well seeing as it's the last one" James lowly spoke, turning his eyes to Stacy as he lowly bowed before her, their hands remaining connected.
"Would you do me the honour of having the last dance with me?" he smoothly asked and Stacy warmly smiled.
"Of course" she answered making James stand tall.
"Pssh" Sam mumbled as he left. Mika grinned at his retreating form, beckoning the two to follow on after her as she left the study. Hand in hand James and Stacy left the study room and headed down to the lobby for the final dance.
As they entered the lobby all eyes fell on them, the pair of them being quick to guess that undignified thoughts passed through their minds. The pair's cheeks reddened as they glanced at one another but thankfully the pianist, who Stacy guessed as Erik, hit the first note to signal the start of the final song.
"My lady" James smoothly spoke to his partner Stacy as she curtsied before him and they both smiled, coming closer to one another as the song played. It was a smooth slow song, not truthfully Christmas themed but there was a small part of it that made it fitting. The pair moved in unison, each movement precise and dominant.
"You're a good dancer" James couldn't help but quietly praise as he held her closer.
"Thank my extra activities at college" she lowly said in reply, smiling.
"But I have to say you dance well yourself, there's a European expression to your movements… High class" Stacy added making a small expression of surprise fall on James's face. Stacy let out a small victorious laugh at his expression, avoiding the looks from nearby dancers.
"You could almost say it's a dance of royalty" she added before twirling before him and reconnecting with his form.
"Almost?" he jokingly asked in mock hurt and Stacy melted at the look in his eyes, there was that spark again… the one that caught her attention every time it appeared. She nodded, their dance finishing. She curtsied before him as he bowed before she spoke.
"This is no ball and I'm not royalty, the royal ones don't associate themselves with mere commoners" she told him with a light smile.
"So yeah, almost" she confirmed with a playful grin as they parted. James chuckled at her words, finally releasing her as the room filled with chatter.
"Omg Stacy there you are! We've been looking for you all night! Come on, you've GOT to hear what happened to Naomi tonight!" a high voice boomed and Stacy realised it was Suzu attempting to drag her away.
"Go" James gently spoke and Stacy smiled his way, a silent apology that was understood by him. Stacy allowed herself to be whisked away, joining the small group of Suzu, Naomi and Mika but she couldn't help but feel slightly distracted, her mind elsewhere.
Stacy had no idea what time it was by the time all the guests had left, her being the only one left. She had called the cab twenty minutes ago, knowing that it should be arriving soon. She had tried to look at the grandfather clock that sat to one side but her eyes had started to blur quite some time ago, pleading for rest. The only ones that stood by Stacy's side by the agar front door was Mika and James, Mika being the first one to speak.
"Thanks so much for coming… even though a certain someone didn't give you time to actually enjoy the party" Mika told her, throwing a mock glare James's way that made Stacy tiredly laugh.
"Oh please, you should know my mind loves nothing more than a pop quiz" Stacy jokingly replied, giving Mika a shake of her head. Mika beamed at the two of them, her silent plan kept to herself as she spoke again.
"You're not doing anything Christmas Day are you?" Mika asked her, knowing Stacy's schedule for the month and Stacy sighed, glancing at the Christmas tree before shaking her head.
"Not that I know of" she tried to casually reply but grew suspicious as Mika widely grinned.
"Why don't you come over for Christmas dinner?" Mika forwardly asked. Stacy widened her eyes at the invite before frowning.
"I wouldn't want to impose…" she quietly said but Mika shook the comment off.
"Don't be silly! The more the merrier" Mika added, trying to be persuasive and Stacy couldn't help but glance James's way.
"I can't help but agree" he honestly told her, Stacy smiling in comfort at the confirmation.
"Then I'd love to" she found herself saying, biting back her amusement as Mika squealed in excitement.
"Good, I know you wouldn't say no! I'll text you the time tomorrow… Oh I can see some lights, seems your cab is here! Mika spoke and Stacy widened the door, her words being true.
"Well I guess I'll see you in a few days' time" Stacy lightly said, letting out a small yawn.
"You bet. Don't forget we're meeting up on the 24th!" Mika said making her grin.
"How could I ever forget?" Stacy mocked, the pair lightly laughing as they hugged each other goodbye.
"I'll see you out" James smoothly spoke and Stacy gently smiled at the kind gesture, waving Mika goodbye as they left through the door.
The pair silently approached the car, almost trying to drag out the moment. They both halted in front of it, James taking off his blazer to place over her shoulders.
"Thank you for tonight" Stacy gently told him, pulling the larger blazer closer to her form. James gently took a hold of her hand,
"No, thank you" he told her, gently kissing the tips of her knuckles. With a blush on her cheeks Stacy smiled up at him. They disconnected from one another, James opening the cab door to allow her in. Stacy climbed in, looking up at James one last time that night.
"I'll see you on Christmas Day" she quietly spoke, the man brightly smiling.
"That I will… Have a safe travel home. Goodnight" James gently told her, his tone of voice one Stacy would easily remember.
"Good night" she murmured as he pushed the door to. The cab driver wordlessly pulled off, Stacy giving one last look at James's standing form as they drove away.
The party definitely didn't go the way Stacy imagined it would go but she was thankful, the warmth of the blazer comforting her. For once she was looking forward to Christmas Day… would it go how she imagined it would or would it be a similar situation to what happened this night? Either way she knew she'd be happy…