Quote:
The line for Santa is miles long and doesn’t seem to be moving. At the front, it appears there isn’t enough help to keep everything running smoothly. Suddenly you are tapped on the shoulder and turn around to find a woman dressed as an elf looking at you with panic in her eyes. “There you are! Where have you been? Why aren’t you dressed? Hurry up! We need more hands up there!” It appears she has mistaken you for one of the missing elves. Do you go along with it? Set her straight?
Word count: 558 words
No... No, no, no!
Caelum had returned to the mall the next day, unsatisfied with the present he initially picked up for his father. As great as a gaudy tie might be, he felt it had no heart, and decided to brave the holiday throng of customers and awful music again to pick up a proper gift. Well, the pink-haired boy thought he did, before he was unceremoniously dragged away from his shopping to be... an elf?
What the eff was going on?
There was a number of items it could be: yes, he was quite short for a boy his age, but did that warrant dragging him away? Maybe she had him fooled for someone else, but couldn't she have asked his name? Or, she was in need of help, and decided to go along with the first person who crossed her path. It seemed to be the last bit, considering the panic that glossed her eyes, but that did not stop the teen from grimacing.
Out of all people, why did it have to be him?
There was little time to dress the boy; the woman shoved a pointy festive hat on his head (with additional annoying jingly bell at the end) and pushed him out to the line of frustrated parents and kids. He wasn't expected to do much, just guide everyone and keep them calm until it was their turn next. Yet, this was easier said than done when he had three kids stretching out his parka and crying out to him to see Santa.
A chagrin crossed Caelum's face as he tried to figure out the best way to calm the masses and—most importantly—get the hell out of there. Bending to the level of the kids, he forced a smile, and said, "Santa's still gonna be a while, okay? So if you guys misbehave here, you might make it on his naughty list and not get any presents!" He immediate responses were: a loud, hiccuping wail, a frown from another child, and there a rubber boot to the face when the last kicked him in frustration. This was enough to drive the teen over the edge.
He ripped the awful hat from his head and threw it down at his feet, scowling at the kids. Caelum could keep his cool under the right circumstance, but not when he was being stepped on. Especially little kids. "That's it!" he bellowed. "Enough of this!"
He stomped away, but as he did so, the woman that had dragged him over jumped in fright and gave chase. She ducked under the tinsel-wrapped barriers and caught his arm, pleading for him not to go. "Please, we need the extra help!" she cried. "You can't leave now!"
Caelum shook her grip on him and shot a blood-curdling glare at her. Unfortunately, it had very little effect given that Caelum was a few good four to five inches shorter than the woman. "I don't care," he huffed. "I only came here to do one thing, and that's it! Now let me"—he gave his arm one final tug—"go!"
Caelum stumbled as the woman's fingers slipped from his arm. Harrumphing, he shoved his hands in his pockets and kept going. He was there for a gift, and nothing else. Why did the holidays turn people into such... weirdos?!
