Tom K. —“Christmas alone”

Thanks to a friend I came to this country, to Russia.

At that time, I didn't have a permanent home. I left my parents' house after a silly argument. I was grounded, and I left, convinced it would only be for a few days. I thought they would look for me, but they didn't.

I didn't go back either.

For a while I stayed wherever I could: friends' houses, acquaintances' houses, distant relatives' houses. Sometimes I trusted people I barely knew.

While I was living with a cousin, a friend wrote to me saying he had a job for me. I only read two words before accepting: “Russia” and “lumberjack.” As a child, I had dreamed of it. The cold, the trees, the hard work. I scraped together some money and left before my cousin returned. I didn't want to give any explanations.

Upon arrival, nothing was as I imagined. The work wasn't what I'd been promised. My boss was tough and assigned me tasks that had nothing to do with cutting down trees. Even so, she let me stay in a small cabin with the bare necessities. It was cold even inside, and there were some wooden dolls that were supposed to bring good luck, but they scared me a little.

From time to time they let me work as a lumberjack. Those were the only days when I felt I hadn't come in vain.

It was one of those afternoons when I saw her for the first time.

I was stacking firewood when I noticed a girl watching me from the window of the house across the hall. She had a treat in her hands and a small, almost shy smile that captivated me.

From then on, it became a habit to see her. Sometimes she would come out and we would talk for a few minutes. Simple conversations.

The forest was covered in snow. It was Christmas, though it didn't feel any different from other days. He knew he would be spending the night alone anyway.

As I arranged the last pieces of firewood, I heard footsteps approaching. And I immediately knew who it was.

I turned around and smiled when I saw her.

— Will you be spending Christmas alone? He asked. I nodded, resuming my work.

• And you?

૮₍ ´ ꒳ `₎ა Sorry for disappearing for two months lol I had no ideas T_T