All I need for christmas

Amber squinted as she stepped from the car on to the pavement. Neon lights of stars and reindeer hung from every window. Small fairy lights were sprinkled;ed on the bare tree's, like a fresh snow fall. Families waddled pass in cosy knitted hats and scarfs, their coat protecting them from the piercing wind's of London in winter. 1

Amber began to walk to the entrance of the mall. 2

Waiting for her were her closest friends, Alicia and Jake. They stood idly chatting by the towering Christmas tree. 3

The moment Amber began to approach them, Jake noticed her. She carried herself like a woman, striding along, head up, back straight. She wore shiny black boots, a long creamy coat with smooth fur around the collar. A beige scarf held her tight and a matching hat covered the tip of her deep red hair. Her hair tumbled free over her shoulders. Jake blocked everything else out when he saw her. As she came closer, Jake caught her glistening hazel coloured eyes. He felt so overcome with emotion and passion, he could not here Amber's greetings. 4

"Hello? Jake? Anyone there!" Amber smiled, waving her hand in front of his face. Jake was woken from his trance and snapped back to reality, the reality where Amber had a boyfriend, where she and Jake were just friends.5

"Oh, hi Ambs. Just um thinking.." Jake mumbled, coming over all shy.6

"What your going to buy me and Alicia for Christmas? I think a new car should do nicely!" Amber giggled, sweeping a few strands of hair from her pink cheeks. Jake felt a stabbing pain inside, he knew this is how it had to be, Jake and Amber, just friends.7

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Jake staggered from his bed, rubbing his eyes and yawning madly. The phone called out again. Jake grabbed the phone and lazily hovered it by his ear.9

"Hello?"10

"Jake"11

"Amber? What's up? It's three AM"12

"I know, I just. Please can I come round?"13

"Sure, are you crying?"14

"I'll be there soon"15

There was a haunting tone as Amber hung up the phone. Jake was so confused, before he knew it, there was a knock at the door. He ran his fingers through his hair and there on a dressing gown.16

He opened the door to a teary Amber, stood in a dressing gown herself.17

Jake rushed her inside, sat her down and mixed her up a cup of tea, before she even had time to blink. For a moment, it was silent, Amber holding the tea, staring into space.18

"Jake, he lost it."19

"What? Who lost what?"20

"Carl. I came home late last night, because you, me and Alicia had been late night shopping, right? Well, he just, lost it. I came in, he sat me down and. Oh it was horrible"21

Amber burst into tears, Jake pulled her in and held her tight. 22

"What did he do to you Amber?"23

"Well, first, he shouted, told me I was a slut, that I didn't care, that I had been out spending his hard earned cash. He said I didn't appreciate him and I was lucky he was still around, then he went silent. So I said I did care about him, I went to pat his shoulder, then he swung round and and hit me."24

Amber's eyes welled up with tears, she began to tremble. Jake shook his head, blood boiling, he clenched his fists with rage.25

"That animal. He's sick, you don't deserve to be treated this way, I mean..."26

"Jake"27

"What"28

"This isn't the first time he's hit me. Before this, well, it's been an odd push and kick here and there. I just."29

Jake began to cry himself. They both wept deep into the night, until amber fell asleep. Jake lay a kiss on her fore head and trailed up to bed. He prayed she would not go back to Carl. That's what he hoped. But things never turn out the way you hope.30