Must've Been The Mistletoe

Clarice exited the alcohol-infested house, taking a smoke break on the porch. She exhaled deeply, seeing her own frosty breath in the biting air. 

“You know you’ll kill yourself if you keep on smoking that.” Annie pointed out, rocking back and forth on the porch swing. Annie was huddled up in a hefty red snow jacket. Her face was a brighter red than usual.

“You know you’ll turn into a frozen tomato if you’re out here any longer.” Clarice fought back. She slouched up against the brick wall close to Annie. Annie choked out a little cough. “You could go back inside if you're cold. They don’t bite.” Clarice released a laugh that time.

“I’m good. Your family has been discussing football for the past hour. I couldn’t decipher anything they’re saying if I tried.” Annie giggled. 

It was Annie’s first time meeting Clarice’s family. The couple had been dating for two years but this year, this year they decided to spend a snowy Christmas with Clarice's family in Washington. They’d agreed to spend New Years in Kansas with Annie’s family after. 

“Hey,” Clarice turned to face Annie, her breath warm. “Wanna go to the store and get some chocolate and candy? We’ll be up all night. Plus, I’m pretty sure Dylan wants to watch Elf again tonight. We’ll need the fuel.” Annie’s face turned pale again, painted with annoyance.

“I watched Elf with your brother yesterday! The kid can let someone else pick for once.” she argued back. Annie was more of a homebody type. She didn’t get out much unless she had to for work. She barely spoke to people her age, let alone kids. Luckily, Clarice liked to put herself out there. They both were artists and met at a local convention in the state they both lived in. I’m sure you could guess who made the first move.

“Come on!” Clarice had extinguished her cigarette and turned to assist Annie to her feet again.

The girls decided to walk, get their bodies warm. The nearest grocery store was conveniently nearby so it didn’t take too long. On the way there, Clarice tried to slide across the ice on the road as Annie tried to restrain her.

“You’re going to get us in trouble, Clare!” Annie yanked on her girlfriends’ coat’s sleeve. 

“Ow! That was my hair!” Clarice giggled, pulling Annie in to kiss her just as the sky suddenly lit up and a loud gun-shot-like sound could be heard. They both jumped into place, Annie hiding her face in the protection of Clarice’s arm as Clarice gazed up at the electrifying sky. “Annie, it’s just a firework! Ooh! It’s in the shape of a mistletoe! How cool.” she slightly teased her, knowing her fear of fireworks.

“I’m keeping my head down. Now, let’s move.” she replied, angrily. “Who in their right mind sets fireworks off during Christmas?” Annie asked rhetorically. It’s not like she expected an answer whenever Clarice was distracted by fireworks.

Once they entered the store, all the employees’ heads turned towards the girls- or at least they thought. 

“W-welcome!” A tall, slim boy stuttered, shaking Clarice’s hand. Clarice pulled away once she saw the death glare Annie targeted the boy with. The girls locked eyes with the boy for a minute, confused. Then, out of nowhere, a larger black woman pushed through. She also seemed to be an employee.

“Excuse him,” she dismissed the boy. “I’m Hannah.” A big smile spread across her face, showing off her glistening teeth. 

“Oh really, it’s okay. It’s a strange Christmas, anyway.” Annie interfered. 

Suddenly a deafening high-pitched squeak was released from the store speaker, “Um, hello? I’m a customer but I’d just like to know where the ring pops are?” A customer’s voice echoed over the speaker timidly.

“What is this?” Hannah said, turning around angrily. “Woman, get off of my speaker! Isle three, by the way,” she turned towards the girls, “Some people don’t know how to wait their turn.” 

Annie and Clarice looked at each other, confused. Maybe they’d been hexed. It’d been an odd Christmas. The girls disregarded it anyways, rummaging around the store to find chocolates and sweet candy. Minutes later, a blonde girl with the same voice as the customer on the speaker approached Clarice, ring pop in hand. 

“You...are so beautiful.” she bent down on one knee. “You should marry me.” Clarice and Annie stood stationary in shock. The woman looked absolutely serious.

“She’s dating me. Sorry.” Annie said to the woman on one knee. She looked like a fool in the moment. Annie, annoyed and Clarice shocked, they walked past the woman and checked out.

Hannah scanned their items carefully and even asked which bag Clarice preferred. The girls had never seen anyone handle groceries so steadily. 

“How about a discount? 50% off for you, Peaches.” Annie almost gagged at the sound of the pet name. “Not you, dear.” Hannah said, staring at Annie. Annie looked confused.

“What is going on?” she yelped. Clarice simply laughed at Annie while Hannah printed the receipt. Once everything was ready to go, Hannah sent them off. 

Annie and Clarice were halfway home when a man in a navy blue tee approached them. He looked like he’d just finished a sports practice of sorts. They tried to make their way around him, assuming this was, once again, a misunderstanding. 

“Hey, I’m trying to talk to you, Blondie.” he directed his statement towards Clarice. Annie crossed her arms and pouted harshly. “I got a truck if you need a ride back. And a friend for you, Pouty.” 

“Enough with the flirting and pet names! Leave us alone!” Annie yelled, grabbing her girlfriends’ wrist and dragging her home. As Annie yanked Clarice away, the man gave Clarice a sticky note with writing on it. They’d ran a quarter of a mile when they stopped to read the note.

“Marry me?” Clarice looked down, concerned. She hadn’t remembered being nearly this pretty. 

“You’re kidding.” Annie pouted. “Give me the bag!” she ordered, snatching the bag of goods to rip open the gummy bears. She chewed on one of them when she noticed writing on the receipt. “Clarice, you might want to look at this.” 

Annie handed over the receipt. “Thank you for shopping here tonight! Hope to see you again, Peaches. You’re real nice and anyone would be lucky to marry you, even me.” Clarice read aloud. She chucked the receipt far into the distance. “This is crazy. Ignore it. We’re going home tomorrow and everything will be normal again.” 

Once Annie and Clarice finally got home, they were greeted by Clarice’s ex, Julia, on the front porch. Annie shook her head, recognizing Julia from past photos that Clarice had stashed away when they first started dating.

“Julia,” Clarice gasped. Annie had enough. “I- I don’t know what to say.”  Julie smiled crookedly.

“I do.” said both Annie and Julia. They glanced at each other as Annie shoved Julia aside. Annie dropped to one knee, pulling out an actual ring. It glimmered underneath the moon and reflected off of the porchlight.

“This is stupid. Everyone got their chance but me. I don’t know what game you’re playing, but I love you. For real. Marry me, Clarice Margarita Skai. I want to get ugly and wrinkly with you for eternity. We’ll adopt two stray cats and fall asleep listening to the waves crash at the beach every night.” Annie proposed, her breath fogging the stinging air. Clarice’s eyes watered up. 

“I love you too, Ann.” she whimpered out of joy. 

“Oh, gag me.” Julia shouted. “I loved you before! I’ve loved you longer! I said the same thing years ago and you said no! You’re ready now? Then love me. Choose me. Choose the person who loved you from the beginning of your childhood to now.” Julia also proposed, except making her way towards Clarice. Clarice slowly backed away from Julia. Julia suddenly clutched onto her shoulders, “Pick me.”. 

“Get off of me!” And suddenly, in that instant, she did. She released off of Clarice’s shoulders, confused.

“What’s happening? How’d I get here? Clarice?” She asked, spinning around herself. Annie had given up, resting in the snow on her knees now.

“You just proposed to me!” Clarice yelled, shoving Julia. “Come on Annie. We’re going to a chapel and we’re getting married right now before anyone else can try to marry me too.” They clutched each others' arms and walked off into the snow, trudging through layers.