Virgin for Santa

Alice

My name is Alice Grey, and I've never had a friend. I'm unsure why. It's not like I'm mean—quite the contrary, I'm friendly. Yet I've been bullied and alone my entire life.

It started back in middle school.

No one ever wanted to pick me when people called out names to form their teams for those dumb sports in school.

I hung out in the back, introverted and afraid. Then when the person choosing for their team would finally reluctantly say my name, I always felt relieved to be remembered.

I'm the type of person most people forget even exists.

But maybe this will be my year.

Today is my first day as a college freshman, and my hands and neck are covered in a cold sweat as I walk up the stairs. My heart is pumping a mile per minute.

This year I will no longer be weak little Alice Grey!

I will walk through these doors and become a new woman! Here is to a new future! I got nothing to fear!

Or so I thought...

Because sadly, life isn't as simple as it seems. The second I walk inside the building, my eyes stop on him.

Nathan Douglas—the devil in hot guy's clothing. Set on this earth to torment me. Tall and imposing. Nathan sits on the stairs inside, surrounded by friends and girls.

A shudder sweeps down my spine.

In some people's eyes, Nathan might be a walking daydream: beautiful and an athlete prodigy. But in mine, he is a nightmare.

I haven't seen him in two years. He is bigger now, definitely built for the sport he plays, hockey. Broad shouldered and muscular, I bet he can deliver a nasty hit on the ice.

But I'm not admiring him like the other girls are.

I fear him.

Nathan bullied me in middle school and half of high school before graduating. I still remember how he used to steal the drawings I carried and flip through them without my permission.

He once smiled down at one drawing, saying, "Wow, perhaps you're the new Picasso, Alice?"

Mean, mean, so damn mean!

I still suffer nightmares from the humiliation that followed after that. Everyone called me Picasso for a year, and it was terrible.

I still fear Nathan. That's why I stand rooted to my spot, but when those ice blue eyes meet mine, the usual comments don't leave his mouth.

I'm met with silence.

Huh?

There is recognition in Nathan's gaze. He definitely remembers me, but there aren't any emotions crossing his features— no hatred or disgust.

He rakes me up and down and then quickly looks away. And that's how my first reunion with the guy who bullied me for six years goes.

No words are exchanged, yet my heart is still clapping against my ribcage.

A girl sitting next to Nathan spots me. She is pretty and leans close to his ear, whispering loud enough for me to hear. "Hey, isn't that Alice?"

"It is, isn't it?" Andrew, Nathan's friend, says. "I haven't seen her in a year."

Everyone except Nathan falls into gossiping about me. They aren't very secretive, though. I can hear what they are saying.

"Is she shorter?"

"No, I'm telling you, it's the Asian genes."

"That's racist!"

"Who cares?"

"Shouldn't she be a doctor by now?"

Everyone laughs except for Nathan, and the girl sitting next to him swats her hand as if to dismiss the racist jokes. "Stop it! Look at her! She looks terrified!"

No, I'm not. I'm just baffled that people can still be so mean in college. My heart is aching, and I fear nothing has changed from high school.

"Hey, Nathan. You used to call her Picasso, right?"

"I wonder if she still draws?"

I keep my gaze on Nathan. Oddly enough, he doesn't even respond to his friends asking him questions about me.

Maybe he has moved on from his bullying antics?

It doesn't matter. I can't stand here like an idiot all day.

I quickly make it past Nathan and his friends, hoping they won't notice my flaming cheeks as I climb the stairs.

I'm in a hurry to find the room where my introduction day will take place. It

isn't hard to find. There are other freshmen there, and I make it in time. The rest is kind of a blur.

A teacher gives a speech. I receive my schedule, information about important deadlines, and the professors' office hours.

The day passes with hours feeling like minutes. I'm now free to head home. I don't live in the dorms but with my family.

As I wander across the parking lot, the hair on my back rises to stand on edge. Next to my tiny red Fiat borrowed from my mom stands Nathan, leaning against a black pickup truck.

He is alone and smoking a cigarette.

Ouch, what do I do now?

I think about turning around to avoid him, but then I get angry with myself for being a coward. My mom always preaches, "You have to face your fears to overcome them!" Which will be my motto this year.

Nathan doesn't scare me!

Well...

That is a straight up lie, yet I still walk over to my car, but I'm not ignored.

The second Nathan notices me, he steps forward. Out from the shadows, like the wolf ready to slaughter the lamb. His shadow falls over me, and I stand rooted to my spot as he towers above me.

"Hello, Alice." Nathan's deep voice alone got the blood in my veins freezing over.

Somehow, I manage to answer. "Hi..."