FicWad: fresh-picked original and fan fiction

Aven Tate stared out the snow dusted window moodily. This wasn't the first time she'd be spending Christmas alone and it wouldn't be her last. Her parents were once again off on an excursion to Fiji and once again they had left her home alone. It wouldn't be so bad if Gerard was there, but he was currently deployed in Afghanistan for the holidays and wouldn't be home until New Year. Gerard was Aven's boyfriend until she found out he had been cheating on her with a stripper. He was the one who had broken up with her and she knew it had pained him. He secretly regretted cheating on her but his ego wouldn't let her know that. They had been fighting when she found out. It was two days before he would leave for Afghanistan and Aven planned on spending the last few days with just the two of them staying at her house. They were going to watch old videos of past Christmas's they spent together.

Flashback
Gerard pulled open the polished oak door and let himself in, stamping the snow off of his faded Converse. “Ava? I'm home.” he called. Aven smiled and wiped her sugar-coated hands on a towel and walked over to Gerard. She grinned and threw her hands around his shoulders.

“Gee! You're home early. I thought it took awhile to register for the military.” she commented. Gerard's face went blank for a moment but then he smiled warmly.

“Uhh yeah. There weren't that many people.” Aven rested her head in the crook of his neck and noticed he had a slight scent of cherry perfume on him.

“What's the perfume from?” Aven asked quietly. Gerard turned a bright red.

“Oh. That. I was at the department store looking for a perfume to get you. Surprise!” he grinned.

She suspected something was up and inwardly groaned. Aven reached into Gerard's pocket and pulled out a business card. Wild Girls Unlimited Men's Club. “And what's this?”

“That.” Gerard turned bright red. “Uh. Frank gave that to me and h-”

“Stop with the lies! What were you doing at a men's club? Am I not enough?” she raised her voice.

“I don't know what to say. It's not that you're not enough. I'm sorry Ava I was being stupid!” Gerard cried.

“Don't call me that! I can't believe you cheated on me. I just. . . Get out.” she tried to say it forcefully but it came out as a pained whisper.

“I''m so sorry, baby. I wasn't thinking.” he pleaded. Aven pushed her black and white streaked hair out of her face so her tears could run freely.

“Why?” she whimpered. “I can't even look at you!”

Gerard stepped back and grabbed his jacket. “I have to go.”

“So that's it?! You think it’ll fix anything?” she yelled. He stared at her before opening the door.

“What else can I do? I said I was sorry.”

“I hate you.”

“Then don't expect me to come back.” The door slammed shut.

Aven fell to her knees and sobbed. Just a week ago he told her he would never do anything to hurt her.

She heard Gerard was sent to Afghanistan a day later. He didn't call her, she only found out from a friend.
End Flashback

She pushed her blue fringe out of her now dulled gray eyes and sighed. The house was quiet with only soft classical music playing in the background and the sound of the television on in her living room to keep her company. It was so lonely without Gerard and she missed him terribly. If there was one thing she could have for Christmas it would be for him to come home. They would make up, and then maybe, make out.

She checked her golden watch. 8:30 P.M. Time to pull the ham out of the oven. Aven would have to enjoy her Christmas dinner all by herself, without Gerard's joking remarks or his high-pitched giggles. She bustled into the kitchen and dragged out the smoky ham. Putting it on a silver platter Aven carried it into the candle-lit dining room. Outside, thick sheets on snow fluttered down and nestled over the frozen ground into little drifts. Usually Aven and Gerard would be outside building snowmen or having a snowball fight. Not tonight. The sky matched her mood, darkened and stoic.

Aven shut the outside lights off and padded to her bathroom. She stripped her pyjamas off and turned on the hot tub. It rumbled to life and bubbles shot out of the jets. She got in and the hot water seared her skin but she ignored the pain. Aven tipped her head back on the edge of the tub and relaxed. A few more weeks and she'd be able to forget about Gerard. It would be hard but she'd manage.

As she was beginning to drift off her dog Coco started barking wildly. Aven shot up in the tub and cocked her head. Coco got louder and started clawing at the front door.

Aven stumbled out and grabbed a fluffy purple robe off of a hanger and put on some Uggs. It was probably just the mailman. She padded to the front door just as a taxi outside sped away and a man with bright red hair stepped out. Was that Gerard?

She slowly opened the door and stepped outside as the wind and icy snow stung her face. It was dark outside despite the small porch light that was turned on. She couldn't see the man's face but had a feeling that he was smiling. She slowly shuffled down her porch steps while shielding her face from the flurries of snow.

“I decided not to go. I didn't have my leading lady by my side.” the man said sheepishly.

“Gerard!” Aven screamed happily and ran down her driveway to throw herself into his arms. “That was your dream you just threw away. All because of me?” she murmered into his ear.

“Yup. Because I knew I made a huge mistake and I had to apologize.” he hugged her even tighter. Ave took his shaking hand and pulled him up the driveway and into her house. A draft of warm air blew at them as they stepped inside.

“I'm sorry I told you to leave.” Aven looked away. Gerard frowned and pulled her face towards his. She was looking him straight in the eyes.

“You don't need to be sorry about anything. All I want is for you to forgive me for cheating on you.” he whispered.

“It's Christmas Eve. Why not?” They were now standing right next to her Christmas tree. The coulorful lights sparkled and glimmered and the ornaments swayed back and forth. Aven looked around the room, taking in everything: the spicy smell of gingerbread cookies, the aroma of the cooling ham, the fire blazing. Was this really happening?

Gerard reached into his pocket and took out a small holly leaf with a cranberry hanging on it. “Mistletoe.” He shook it. Aven grinned and looked into his sparkling hazel eyes. Gerard raised his arm so that the holly was above them. He took a step closer and cupped her chin in his hand. Aven leaned forward and their lips touched in a soft, sweet kiss.

“Merry Christmas.”




Merry (belated) Christmas partypoisen. c':

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