A Highlander For Christmas

Sitting in the coffee shop, I waited for my friend Jeremy to arrive with all the information I needed for my trip. I slid lower in my seat as some of the older women sneered in my direction, whispering behind their hands as if I didn't know what they were talking about.

My fiance was the one who cheated on me, and yet they were treating me as if I were the harlot that was the one who broke Scott's heart. He was the town's Golden Boy, he couldn't do anything wrong. In their eyes my best friend wasn't the other woman, I was.

The bell over the door jingled merrily and I heard more whispers. Living in a small town was a curse, everyone said it was a blessing, it was until you became the town's social pariah.

"Bugger off you old biddies, I know you're just jealous you have not seen anyone as fabulous as me." He slammed his bag down on the table making me jump and I sighed. Always the drama queen.

"Do you really need to give them any more fuel?" I sipped my coffee and looked at my other bestie, he was wearing a gaudy Christmas sweater and a sparkly scarf with a matching hat. He had small jingle bell earrings in his ears and glittery eye shadow on.

"Honey, since when have you known me to care what the people in this town think of me?" He waved to the barista who flashed him a big smile.

This was true, he didn't care about what people thought and that was what I loved about him. He handed over the paperwork for my Great Aunt Melinda's estate and the plane tickets. Sighing, I stuffed them in my bag and just wanted to get this over with. I already was lectured by my family and they didn't seem to understand that I was not as strong as they think. I know running away from my problems wasn't the answer, but I needed a fresh start, and across a whole ocean away from here seemed like the best option.

"You could always come with me?" I knew it was pointless asking him, but I had to put the offer out there. He snorted and waved his hand dismissing me.