~J A C K S O N~

I REALLY THOUGHT TODAY WOULD BE A GREAT DAY, but it definitely turned out to be amazeballs. Note the sarcasm. Firstly, my morning started without coffee because the machine was broken.

Austin was not in the house and I didn't know if I should be worried or relieved that my morning was a little peaceful. But of course, it didn't last long since bad things always came my way.

I mean, sometimes. . .

Austin arrived just when I was about to leave for the bookstore and he was intoxicated and he was crying. Again, I didn't know if I was supposed to be concerned or relieved that he never turned out to be another found body on the streets.

I was relieved that he was not though, but I was troubled because he was drunk and crying. Austin is never drunk, especially when he is nearing Christmas. Austin was almost just like my dad, he liked picking out the impoverished children and he would take them out for some time.

Austin was drunk and not just drunk where his words would slur and he would fall around lazily. Nope. He was drunk where he would stop at a stop sign and wait for it to turn green.

I was even more uptight to see that he was crying. I MEAN Austin, crying? That's new and something I should really be concerned about.

"What the hell happened to you?" I yelled at him, struggling as I guided him to his room.

He started laughing but stopped. I looked at him and saw he was crying. He was sobbing. I couldn't understand why he would be crying because Austin was optimistic and such a fun person.

So what could have turned the happy and funny Austin into a crying, drunk stinky mess?

He didn't say anything when I asked him what was wrong, rather, he fell asleep with tears still streaming down his face.

Should I stay? Or should I go?

I decided to write him a note, leave him a glass of water and ibuprofen on his side table.

Call me when you aren't drunk and sobbing. Whatever turned you into what you were this morning, I want to hear about it.

Jackson.

P.S. I left you a glass of water and ibuprofen, take it then call me! I'm not kidding. I'm actually worried.

So right now, I am in my car with Lily speaking my ear off. Don't get me wrong, I love it when Lily speaks so much to me. She has a lovely voice and I would listen to it all day long but I am just worried about Austin.

I am glad we don't have any alcohol except wine in the house. Or I would have gone home with Austin drunk, again. I just hope he calls me.

He can be a stubborn a$$.

"I'm sorry if I'm boring you! I'm just really eager to go out with you. I haven't been out lately." Lily says sheepishly. I shake my head no, raising my brow as I grin her way.

"Of course you are not boring me! You could never, no matter how much you tried." The words leave my mouth so rapidly that I am not able to stop myself. "You haven't been out lately? Well, let's make the best of today's adventure."

Lily grins and I try my hardest not to reach over, grab her chin and kiss the living lights out of her. I really do try and I think I need therapy for this. My phone vibrates in the cup holder and I grab it, checking the caller ID. Linda. Linda is calling because she probably sees that I'm missing.

Oh sh-

"Hello?" I answer the phone, trying not to show Lily how rapidly my heart is thumping. I know it is not liable of me to be dragging Lily with me, ditching work, and taking her out.

"Well well, look who decided to answer the call and not my texts!" Linda exclaimed through the phone and I snickered, glancing at Lily.

She can probably hear what Linda is saying because her eyes are large. Do not be frightened sweet Lily, Linda loves me too much to fire me from my bookstore.

"I never got your messages!" I smile sheepishly, settling my phone on speaker and lowering it in the cup holder, making it sound loudly through my car.

"Where are you? I hope you are not out with Lily because I'm waiting for her to arrive. She is the best employer we have, Jack."

I look at Lily again, my smile broadening when I see her terrified expression. She starts making signs, advising me to tell Linda that she is not with me. I laugh softly, shaking my head at her attractive tactics.

"Oh yeah no, she is definitely here with me!" I laugh aloud when Lily's mouth stands agape, her eyes as wide as the pans in my kitchen cabinet.

"Lily! Lily, are you there?" Linda's voice sounds rushed like she wants Lily to be here so that she could tell her to get back to her. I don't want to say it, but she sounds desperate, I guess we both adore Lily.

Lily clears her throat, narrowing her eyes at me before smiling sheepishly. "Hey, Aunt Linda!" I cannot stop laughing right now and when Lily shoots daggers at me, I shut my mouth, concentrating on the road as well as still eavesdropping on their conversation.

"Lily, sweetheart!" Linda seems delighted to be hearing Lily's voice and I am almost jealous. Almost. "Did Jackson abduct you again?"

"Again?" Lily suspicions, perplexed.

"Yes, like the time you guys left and came back with snow all over your clothing!" Linda says and I can imagine her hoisting her brow tauntingly.

The grin that appears across my face is already enough to confirm that I, surely remember that day. It was the day when Lily and I had a snowball fight. The day we built many snowmen.

"O-oh! Yeah." Lily's cheeks turn a bright pink and I can't stop myself from biting down on my lip. She is so stunning. "I remember."

"Where are you naughty kids headed?" Linda asks and I hear the cut in her voice.

"It's a surprise Linda if I tell you, Lily finds out and I don't want that."

✎✎✎

"Miracle?" Lily topics as we step out of the car. I nod. "I haven't been to a pop-up bar in ages!" Lily laughs, absentmindedly gripping my hand in hers. "Let's go!"

I don't get a chance to grab her bag from the car as she pulls me towards the entrance. Peep peep. I lock my car, smiling at Lily's back.

As we make our way to the door we are greeted by the kind of window paintings that you generally see at banks and car dealerships in the weeks leading up to the holidays, as well as chunks of tinsel and snow.

Inside, the normally neat bar stools are covered with Santa hat seat covers and the hipster bartenders donned unironic Christmas sweaters. An eclectic mix of Christmas songs was ringing out from the in-house speakers and patrons were laughing as they enthusiastically clink vintage-looking bar glasses.

The scene is-as I would say-kitschy, more than a little bit scruffy, and earnestly festive. In other words, exactly what Christmastime should be.

"This is amazing!" Lily cheers, her eyes wide as she explores and her mouth agape when she takes in all the different kinds of drinks. "But isn't it expensive?"

Lily kisses her teeth and I laugh. "You do not need to worry about that!"

I am going to show you just how much you mean to me.

✎✎✎

such a short chapter and I am sorry for that! in Canada, there is a pop-up bar called Miracle. a lot is going to happen in the next few chapters, so hold onto your hearts, because Jackson is a guy who can go all out! please vote, comment and if this is so far enjoyable, share! <3