A Chocolate Carol


“Come on, Marissa! Get up! Let’s go!” Gabriela bellowed while plopping herself on Marissa’s bed.
“No. Shut up. I am a sleeping and it is Saturday and Christmas eve eve. Go to sleep.” Marissa grumbled in response.
“It. Is. Noon. GET UP! WE NEED TO GO!”
“Shit. It’s noon? Ugh. Go where?”Marissa started stretching in her bed and turned over to look at Gabriela through her short black hair.
“I am feeling so melancholy today,” Gabriela says while dramatically lying next to Marissa, tangling her thick and curly brown hair with Marissa’s. “I need something warm and sweet!”
“Oh. cider? I have some in the fridge. Didn’t you see it? Just warm it up. Or some tea, just add sugar!” Marissa says this smiling and using her best matter-o-factly tone.
“Ha. Ha. You’re so funny.” Gabriela says in her driest voice. “You know what I need. Now, get up and let’s go! Let the Hot Chocolate Tour begin!”

Gabriela has researched three hot chocolate places that they could go to today. The two girls have a tradition so that if either of them feel any hint of sadness, they must get hot chocolate. Their hot chocolate tours are only to be done when something huge has happened and they need to go out. Either one of them can decide that they must go and the other one of them has to go. 

Gabriela guides Marissa through the busy streets around Rockefeller Center in New York City. Her long legs moving much faster than Marissa’s, her being a foot shorter than Gabriella.

While doing research for their day out, Gabriela watched a YouTube video stating that the Godiva Chocolatier had some of the best hot chocolate.

Gabriella rushes into the store, excited to get her drink but jolts to a stop when she notices her ex-boyfriend James standing at the counter. Marissa walks into Gabriella’s back and pushes her into the store and into the warmth. Marissa walks right around Gabriella, to buy the hot chocolate when she sees James and snarls.

“Hey, piece of shit. So, you work here now?”
James just stares at Gabriella for a moment later before she dashes out of the store.
“If it wasn’t the holiday season, I swear I’d end you without laying a finger on you. You scum bag.”
Marissa heads over to the other employee and she gave her a proud smile before taking her order of two hot chocolates. Then goes out to find Gabriella with their drinks in hand. Gabriella was waiting two store over still with shock on her face. 

“Here, sweetie,” Marissa says handing her hot chocolate and reaching up to hug her. “It’s okay, he can’t bother you. You’re okay. Come on, let’s get somewhere warm.” 

Marissa guides a quieted Gabriella into the Magnolia Bakery around the corner. They buy some banana pudding and sit down. 

“How are you feeling?”
“I- I’m okay. I just didn’t expect to see that fucking scum bag,” she sighs deeply. “I just needed a moment. I haven’t seen him since we broke up, since he continued to make me feel like shit. He always made me feel like I wasn’t enough! I hoped I’d never see him again.”
“Yea, I know. I’m sorry, hon. Do you want to go back home?,” Marissa asked as softly as she could in the business of the bakery.
“No, the hot chocolate is already making me feel better. I’m sure even more hot chocolate would make me feel even better. I heard you yell at him before I left. What did he do?”
“He just stood there looking stupid. I didn’t give him a full on curse out. I mean, it is the holiday season. But did you see that hair cut? Plus his apron looks tight around his beer belly.”
Gabriella cracks a smile and the grow on her dark skin came back in full force, “Yea, and was it just me or were his eyebrows tattooed on. Why did he do that?”
“I saw that too! What the fuck. Thank goodness he is over and done with. He ain’t shit.”
“I know! Come on. Let’s go get our next cup. We’ll eat on the way to Brooklyn.”


Marissa and Gabriella walk into their favorite Panera Bread and quickly order their hot chocolates. 
“We come here every year. Aren’t out Hot Chocolate tours supposed to be us trying something new?”
“Yea, but it’s so gooood! There are chocolate chip marshmallows! CHOCOLATE CHIPS! I needed this! Seeing James’ tattooed eyebrow face. I think we deserve some consistent deliciousness.”
“Ha. Alright. That’s true. I’ll go get us a table.” 

 

Marissa went upstairs to look of seats when she bumped into Gabriella’s current bou, Michael. He was slouching in a corner looking dejected and staring into his cup of coffee. The sight of him looked so different from the cheerfulness he usually had. Marissa quickly put two and two together. The only reason they have Hot Chocolate tours were to perk them up when they’re feeling sad. By the look of Michael, and Gabriella this morning, Marissa assumed they broke up. Which means they should not see each other. Marissa needed to move quickly to stop Gabriella from coming upstairs. She turned around to see a smiling Gabriella holding two drinks. The smile slid off when she saw who was slouching behind her.

Marissa shooed Gabriella into a booth that was out of sight of the slouching boy.
“Why didn’t you tell me you guys broke up? What happened?”
“I was gonna tell you but later. Over wine or something.”
“What? Why? What happened? Spill it!”
“He’s just- He doesn’t make me happy. He doesn’t make me feel anything. He’s just boring.”
“Things were going so well. Now you’re saying he is boring? What made you come to this realization?”
“Honestly, I kept reading about these amazing fictional boyfriends and I knew that Michael just wasn’t it. He didn’t make me feel feel good about myself and I didn’t feel like we had a supporting relationship. It just didn’t feel… good. I needed to end it.”
“I wish you told me. I had no idea what happened between you two. You normally tell me everything. I understand though. I really do. That’s why we came out today?”
“Yea, I broke up with him this morning. I needed a day out to forget about it but then I end up seeing two ex boyfriends. I just wanted a break!” Gabriella flopped on the table looking forlorn. 
“It’s okay sweetie. We can always go home and lay on the couch and watch the entire Harry Potter series OR the entire development of the Avengers, Hulk to Civil War. Just say the word.”
“No, we have one more place to go before we head back. Let’s go before he notices we’re here.”
Both girls carefully get up quietly and leave without bringing any attention from the boy in the corner.


“So the final place is around the corner from our home? We could’ve came here first!”
“Yea, but we needed the adventure. Now we don’t have to go on a journey just to go back home. Plus, we love this Connecticut Muffin!”
“Now we can have our movie marathon. Right?”
“Yes, but we need to decide if we’re watching Harry Potter or Hulk to Civil War”
“Can I take your order? By the way, my choice is definitely Harry Potter.” The curly haired employee behind the counter asks. She gave Gabriella a dazzling smile while she asked.
“Yes. Can we have two hot chocolates, please?”
“Yea, sure. And you?” The employee asked Gabriella.
“Oh. No. Thank you.” Gabriella have the employee an even wider smile.

Marissa decided that she should excuse herself from their smiling competition and went to grab them a seat.

“I don’t think I’ve seen you here before. Are you new?”
“Yea, I just started last week. Why? Do you come here often?
“Well, I live right around the corner. It’s the best place to get my morning coffee.”
“Does that mean I’ll be able to see more of you?”
“Yes, every morning.”
“I look forward to it. By the way, my name is Angela.”
“Hello Angela, I’m Gabriella.”
They both smile at each other for a while, already sensing the bond between them.

Angela makes three hot chocolates and joins Marissa and Gabriela. They sat talking with each other in the empty cafe on this cold winter evening.

Here is the first story. I once again want to say that these stories are written and edited by me. I usually try asking other people for their input before I post my stories but I am working on being more self reliant and only going to others when I really need it. I hope to see growth in my writing when I finish this challenge. I hope you guys like it!

First Date

Christine spent the entire day trying to find the perfect outfit and to calm herself by watching youtube videos. She asked Joel on a date after they finished their Intro to Literature final last week. She wanted to ask him out for the entire semester and was too nervous. But when she and him had to work on their final project together she decided to take the chance and ask him out. 

While waiting for their date at 6 o’clock tonight, she called her best friend five times and ended each phone call asking whether she should make an excuse and cancel her plans because of her emotions of both nervous and excitement but to cancel today would mean that all her efforts to get this date, encouraging talks in the mirror, would mean nothing.

Joel wandered around his favorite bookstore for a four hours. He didn’t come here to find a new book. He didn’t even have the intentions to buy anything. He just needed to be some place that would calm him down. Joel has been daydreaming about this day for the entire week since Christine asked him on a date. He kept wondering how it would go. Would he like his surprise later? Would it make her smile?

He had hung out with Christine many times while working on their project and they have both gotten comfortable with each other. Though their relationship has gone into a comfortable friendship, this is their first date.

He spent his morning stressing because he kept wondering how tonight will go. He quickly realized that the only way he could calm himself down would be to do his favorite things. He picked up his tea from his favorite cafe before heading to the bookstore where he intends on staying until his date tonight. He has two more hours until he has to meet up with Christine. Enough time to wander around some more and find books.

While waiting for the crossing light, Joel sees Christine standing outside of the Court St. movie theater. He decides to take this opportunity to admire her from afar. One of the things Joel admires about Christine is the way she dresses. She dresses casual but elegant. To him, she looks royal. Though she was bundled up from the cold, he could still see her bright red dress that stood out against her grey jacket and her black stockings. Her curly hair was put in a high ponytail and of course, she was wearing her red over the ear headphones that perfectly matched her outfit. Joel was underdressed in comparison, with his jeans and white button up which was hidden under his huge winter jacket. It took Joel a moment to notice that the light has changed so he rushes across the street to go and meet her.

“Christine! Hi. How are you?” He says while slightly stumbling over his words.
“Hey, Joel! I am freezing!”Christine responded and reached up to give him a hug. Joel was a foot taller than her. “Come on! Let’s go in.” 

Christine opens the door for both her and Joel and leads them both into the theater. They made small talk about the movie they were about to see. Because Christine doesn’t like science fiction. It took them both some time to decide on a movie to watch but they settled on an christmasy action-comedy. A weird mix but they both love Tracey Morgan so it was the best choice.

In the theater, Christine didn’t know if she should try and get closer to him or not. She always hated the idea of going to a theater to make out with someone. Spending money to see a movie but all you did was snog.

She tried watching the movie but her thoughts were overtaken by her wanting to touch Joel. She wanted to get closer to him, she wanted to feel what it was like to be close to him. To hold his hand or to snuggle into him. She craved being touched by him but she was too afraid to make the move. She didn’t know where the action would take her. For the entirety of the movie, she argued with herself about her decision and day dreamed about what it would be like to actually make the move.

“So, um… How did you like the movie?,” asked Joel
“I really enjoyed the movie. It was so funny!” replied Christine, knowing that she couldn’t remember a thing about the movie.
“How did you like the part where Joanne and Michael argued? “
“It was so funny. I really liked Joanne’s character. It reminds me of Pauline from class. She always made some weird noise or that weird laugh from class. Remember?
“Yea! I had to sit next to her for half of the semester. She always made weird comments out my hair. Like if she could touch it or smell it. She was weird. Why would I let her touch my fro?”
All Christine could do was smile at that comment. Joel’s hair was what made her notice him. You could tell he took great care of it.

“I know. She is not allowed to touch such beauty”
“Awe. You think me hair is beautiful?” Joel stopped to pose for her.
“Ha! Come on. Where should we go now? I could go for something to eat. If you’d like.” Christine asked.
“Yea, okay. Let’s get some food. I know a place close by.”
“Lead the way”

Joel took them through the back streets of Brooklyn to get to the restaurant. Christine was surprised when she saw that it was an old school diner but when she looked at Joel and saw how excited he was they had arrived, she relaxed herself into open-mindedness.

 

“Okay. I know this looks a bit strange but the food here is great and they have the best view.” Joel said smiling as hard as he possibly could and almost reached to grab Christine’s hand but thought better of it. He ushered her towards the back of the restaurant. The front of the restaurant is like any other diner but the back was dimly lit so that you could see… stars.

Joel turns to look at her and asks, “So, how do you like it?”
“How?” Was all Christine could get out.
The sight before her was breathtaking. She couldn’t understand how she was seeing the stars in Brooklyn. There has always been too much light from the city to see as many stars as she was seeing now. At first glance, she could constellations clearly. All she could do was look up at Joel and smile.

Joel’s face immediately brightened when he saw her smile. “I remembered you saying that you loved seeing the stars when you visited your family down south. So, I wanted to show you this… so that you could… have it… here.” Joel started getting shyer while he spoke. Maybe it was too much or too intimate for a first date. Maybe she’ll think that this was weird.

“Joel,” Christine finally said, tears peeking from her eyes. “This is so sweet. Thank you.” She reached over to hold his hand and smiled at him before she planted a kiss on the rim of his lips. She held it there for a while until she broke away and they smiled at each other and soon they both looked back up at the stars.

Hello, Everyone!

I want to give you all a heads up that my 25 Days of Christmas Challenge may be a bit sketchy at first because of all the studying that needs to be done for my finals but I am determined to get them all out throughout the month of December. This challenge for me is testing my creativity by writing and editing all these stories by myself.

This challenge is a test for me to work on my creative writing skills. That being said, if you would like to do the challenge with me, here’s what I’m following:

December 1: Star

December 2: Hot Chocolate

December 3: Snow

December 4: Candy Canes

December 5: Christmas Tree

December 6: Angel

December 7: Pyjamas

December 8: Tinsel

December 9: Ice Skating

December 10: Frost

December 11: Eggnog

December 12: Cider

December 13: Peppermint

December 14: Gingerbread

December 15: Presents

December 16: Fireplace

December 17: Stocking

December 18: Cookies

December 19: Santa

December 20: Sled

December 21: Snow Man

December 22: Jingle Bells

December 23: Carols

December 24: Icicle

Hello, All!

My roommate and I have decided that we will do the 25 Days of Christmas Challenge.

Each day, we receive a promo and we write a short story on the promo. We will be  encouraging each other to accomplish this challenge and I am incredible excited to start.

P.S: I will also be doing Vlogmas on my YouTube channel so look out! I am a huge lover of Christmas and I want to do all that I possibly can to share my Christmas cheer!

If you would like to join us, feel free! I am so excited to start!

As I stand there chatting with my best friend, I look over to see him. Standing and talking to her. He’s tall and dressed like such a chill hipster. He reminds me of Shaggy from Scooby Doo but black. He wears worn out skinny jeans and a t-shirt with a button down over it and old Chuck Taylors. He fiddles with his camera as he talks to her, looking so happy to just be around her. She’s tall too. Maybe 3 inches taller than me. She always wears tank tops and pants that make her small butt look bigger and some torn trainers. They look so happy talking to each other. Her name is Kayla and his Daniel.

I stand there from across the room pretending not to notice the way he leans into her. I fiercely tell my best friend just how crappy my life is. I never made a stand for him to notice me because I knew that my friend Kayla, his best friend, had a thing for him and he felt the same for her. How could I push myself in between that? I mean, I could but think of the consequences if things don’t work out. I could lose a friend and completely embarrass myself.

I’ll just stand from afar and watch as THEY happen. He doesn’t really know me like that. Really, we hardly talk. For all I know, he could hate Beyoncé or hate Harry Potter and we really can’t have that. It’s just a crush right? And all that other stuff, like soulmates and destiny. Isn’t that felt on both sides and not just one way?

Kayla says that she likes him but all I see is her hurting him. She doesn’t do well with monogamy. I can see him hurting but really, who am I to intervene? I’m just the quiet girl he sees a handful of times each year. I’m not someone he notices. I can handle just watching from afar. Right? Kayla always talks about her crush on him and the things he says and does to her that makes her really think he likes her. I got to sit there feeling hurt and wondering why can’t I just like someone else. Someone who is simple and less involved.

I’ve had a crush on him since I first saw him. Though I knew he had a girlfriend at the time, I thought he was tall and cute and the more I saw him and chatted with him, the bigger my crush got. Now I think and daydream about him all the time and scold myself for each time because I know that this shouldn’t happen. I shouldn’t be crushing on him. I hardly know him and there are too many complications. Too much of the unknown. I decide not to give up and not to try. Kayla and Daniel would make a cute couple. Right?

I rush out the party exactly two hours later, (I checked. I had to see how long I lasted). Kayla was telling me about this other guy she was seeing and she was going back and forth between Daniel and this other guy. Talking about how great they both are and that she didn’t know who to choose or what to do. It was all just too much so, I excused myself and left the party. I couldn’t hear another word. I faked a panic attack and said I needed fresh air, alone. I felt one coming but I pushed it down.

It’s terrible liking someone you can’t have, someone who doesn’t notice you. Someone who you really don’t even know. It’s confusing and so stressful and Kayla telling me all about him just makes it feel even worse. I need to get home.

My train ride was a mental blur of daydreaming about Daniel and vague acknowledgement of showtime dancers (which I hate). I can’t wait to get home. I need to paint something.

I start envisioning what I will be painting as I storm up the stairs leading to the station’s exit. I was so engulfed in my thoughts that I didn’t notice the man bustling towards me. We collide with such force, my shoulder started throbbing. In a second, instead of yelling at this man, I decide to apologize. He and I both weren’t paying attention so, why not ? But before I begin to apologize I realize how stunned and confused he is. He looks utterly shocked.

“Are you okay?” I ask.

“You can SEE me?!?!” He replies.

“Of course I can see you!. I just bumped into you! Look, I’m sorry. Goodnight.” I turn and start heading home. This night feels like it’s getting even longer. I do not want to deal with some looney guy. I make it two steps before he’s grabbing my arm and turning me towards him.

“HOW can you see me?!?” He yells at me with a mix or terror and confusion on his face. In that moment, I realize that he doesn’t look looney. He’s wearing an all brown, milk chocolatey suit. His clothes are spotless with no wrinkles anywhere. He looks more put together than me. So why is he talking like a crazy person?

“Do not put your hands on me, sir!” I yell back at him. Now that I know he’s a crazy person. I’ll just yell and get everyone’s attention so that I’ll have witnesses.

“Oh! Sorry. It’s just that you’re not supposed to be able to see me. No one ever does. People just can’t see me and you seeing me threw me off guard.” Says , the crazy strange man.

 

“Well, I obviously can. I see everyone. But I do need to go home, sir. I hope you have a good night.” I respond, turn around and head home.

When I get home, I eat, maturbate and shower. Today has been weird and intense. I needed my favorite relaxers before I start painting all night.

I wake the next morning feeling groggy. I spent most of my night painting my stress away. As usual, my clothes are covered paint. At least last night was a success. I think my painting looks exactly like the strange man from last night. His wide dark green eyes, the way they jumped and moved, observing everyone else around him before focusing on one thing. His nose starts off thin between his eyes and then expand into two large nostril. This lips were full and plump and though his face seemed to be open and bright. There was still a nervousness about him. His face looked like he worried so much over his year which made his face age before it should. I tried to make this painting look like Picasso’s starry night and used waves all around but instead of giving my work a soothing effect like Picasso’s does for me, I made it more manic and panicked by using strong colors like fiery red and orange and blue. I really love this painting. I don’t think I’ll sell it.

Today I have a meeting with my manager to figure out where my new paint series will be displayed in the modern art museum. I quickly get myself ready for the day, and zoom out of my apartment. As I open the door, I find a long rectangular black box right outside my door. When I open it, I find one black rose. No card or anything. Just a black box and a black rose. I take the flower with me and head to my meeting, wondering who the hell would’ve given me a black rose.

“Who the hell would give you a black rose?” Ryan, my manager asks.

 

“I have no idea. I’ve been trying to figure it out. Is this a death threat? Isn’t a black rose a symbol of death?” I respond.

 

“Don’t be silly. It’s not a death rose. The color black is beautiful. It’s pouring and calming. It’s like rebirth and starting new.” She says.

 

“Well, what am I starting new? Besides the part series. I didn’t tell anyone about it because I wanted to make it a huge surprise. No one knows but you and you didn’t give me a black rose. In a black box. This is weird. I should’ve thrown it out. Right?”

“No. What if a secret admirer gave it to you. Like that cute girl who works downstairs. You know she likes you and she’s like a cool hipster. She’s into that stuff. OH! It could be Daniel!” She says, giving me a wink and a dazzling smile. “ Or that other guy…  Ummm.. Isn’t he like the assistant something. He always checks you out when you’re here. I don’t know what he’s into. He’s kinda weird but…”

I let Ryan go off into a rant about who could’ve given me the flower while I choose which pieces will be going into my display. My display is all about victims of police brutality. I’ve made portraits of 10 victims. It’s about who they could’ve been. Where they could’ve went. Who they could’ve met. I notice too late that Ryan was talking to me. I completely zoned out. Lost in thought. I turn around to talk to her, feeling drained and sad and disgusted about all the useless violence in this world.

 

“You okay?” She asks

 

“Yea, I was just thinking how terrible it is that I have a whole exhibit of my artwork only because all these men and women were murdered.”

 

“I know. I know” she says as she pulls me into a hug. “I know that I can never feel your pain but I’m here for you. .”

 

“Thank you.” I mumble into her shoulder.

 

After a few minutes or hugging and mourning. She and I return to all of my paintings and start deciding which ones are the most powerful and grab the most attention.

My manager took me out to dinner after we made our choices, afterwards I went to buy art supplies and headed home. The whole time, I felt like someone was watching me.
When I return home, I notice a piece of paper attached to my door. I quickly grab the paper and see that it reads “COME”. I storm into my apartment feeling frustrated and confused wondering who the hell is doing all of this.

When I walk into my apartment, I notice that my apartment looks like someone else has been here. I drop all that I’m holding and grab the bat that I keep next to the door and begin searching for the source of this chaos. When I finally make my way to my bedroom, I notice a man staring at the painting I made last night.

“Who are you and why are you here?!” I yell to the man
The man remains silent
“I called the police. You should leave before they get here!”
“Is this supposed to be me?” The man replies calmly and turns to look at me
He’s the same man who bumped into me last night.
“Yes,” I say dumbly. “How did you get-  Wh-  How did you get in here?”
“I came to speak with you”
I wake out of my daze and the anger I have sets in.

“Was that you sending that flower? Are you this strange gift giver? Why the hell are you in my home?! Get the hell out! That’s it. I’m calling the police.”

“I just needed to talk to you. You-”
“Get out! Now!”
“Look! You’re not supposed to see me!”
“Not this shit again!”
“Yes. No one here is supposed to be able to see me. Look. I’m from-”
“Please. Leave now.” I say while grabbing my phone from my pocket and dialing the police.

The strange man finally starts walking to walk towards the door and stops right in front of me and says quietly.

“My name is Harrison. I am the leader of a tribe. We are having trouble protecting ourselves. I was searching for someone from a prophecy.”

“Hello, There’s been a break-in…”

“I was searching for someone, a creator. Someone who can see the world differently than others. The one who can see our world. I think that person is you.”

The building as grey as the sky above
The building as grey as the sky above
The sun peaking out through the clouds
The sun peaking out through the clouds
Letting in a new start
Preparing for a fresh start

I let addictions get the best of me
I let addictions get the best of me
Using these vices to protect me from love
Using these vices to protect me from love
I needed protection from the hurt
Terrified that she only wanted to hurt me

All she did was love me
All she did was love me
She gave me one last chance to love her
She gave me one last chance to love her
One more chance to treat her how she should
She needed my help for our new beginning

We wanted to start a new life together
We wanted to start a new life together
I needed to learn we are stronger together
I needed to learn we are stronger together
This grey building helped me be open to love
So I can give love to our new beginning

Another creative writing assignment

I breathe in dry murky air
I breathe in dry murky air
The building as grey, as the clouds above
The building as grey, as the clouds above

He left me a year after she left
Today as dim as the day we found out

I found my first love in my years of solitude
I found my first love in my years of solitude
My second love, in the stress of adulthood
My second love, in the stress of adulthood
She left when my temptation was tested and i failed
He left when my temptation broke him

Me, the broken man in a grey world
Me, the broken man in a grey world
Is alone after 35 years
Is alone after 35 years
My loves went to fight my temptations
I stayed home, stayed weak

This building is all I have left
This building is all I have left
Here, I can fight my temptations
Here, I can fight my temptations
I can fight like he did, save myself
I will learn how to deal with being alone