Jingle Bear: A Fake It Short.

 

 

 

After the more traditional frosty festivities of the German Christmas markets, hearing a mariachi band playing the holiday's greatest hits was a significant culture shock for Holly Winters. It was especially jarring when more than half of the people in attendance at the Granite Bay Christmas Carnival were wearing shorts. With only a single weekend remaining before the big day itself, people were taking the opportunity to soak up some festive spirit. In the warmer climate of California, that was certainly a far less frigid affair.

The semester was officially out, and with it, the final lines in the poem of Alex Winters' life at Ellsworth Academy were consigned to the history books. From now on, there would be no more dual existence, no more hiding who she really was, and most importantly, there would be no more pretending to be a boy ever again. From now on, Holly Winters was here to stay, forever and always.

Holly had never dared to imagine that she would end the fall semester of her junior year with friends, love, acceptance, and an honest-to-god boyfriend. It was uncharted territory, and land she was having far too much fun exploring. The life that lay before her was one to be enjoyed, not endured; now she was able to finally be like everyone else.

When the particular Boyfriend in question had invited her out to the Christmas Carnival, Holly had readily accepted. Fresh from the manic adventures of their school’s German field trip, the idea of slowing down and enjoying the familiar festivities safely far away from boats, bratwurst, and brass bands was quite an attractive prospect. It was certainly also significantly less likely to result in frostbite.

Unlike Germany, the weather in Sacramento was hovering in the mid to upper fifties this winter. That was a long way removed from the weather across in Europe. There, it had been cold enough for big coats, hats, and gloves to block out the ice and snow. Here in Sunny California, it meant adding a pair of tights to your outfit or maybe a light jacket.

With the transgender cat now very much out of the bag, it meant that there was no more hiding the real Holly behind a grungy androgynous mask. As such, attending a community event like the carnival was now something she could enjoy as her whole self. Today, that meant a pair of warm patterned tights, a plaid denim mini skirt, and a cute Christmas sweater. Perfectly warm, as long as she stayed away from rivers.

“Here we are,” Rick announced, handing Holly a steaming cup of hot chocolate. “I tried to get them to toss in some booze, but they’re IDing everyone.”

“Probably a good idea, your Mom would kill you,” Holly snickered, accepting the cup.

“You might have a point there,” Rick conceded. “Have you seen Meg and your brother around?”

Holly made a face, “The last I saw them, Megan was making a really good impression of a Xenomorph inhaling a vacuum cleaner. I’m going to need real good therapy.”

“It’s got to be weird, one of your girlfriends dating your big brother, right?”

Holly considered the idea as they walked past stalls selling candles, jewelry, and seasonal confectionery treats. “It’s mostly ok; I want them both to be happy, I just don’t want to have to witness the X-rated parts.”

“I can imagine,” Rick grinned. “Thankfully, Anna wasn’t dating much when she was still living here. Plus, she would never have dreamed of dating any of my dumb friends.”

Holly nodded, dodging a pair of screaming children that blasted past like a missile, “I can’t deny that they are a cute couple, though, and I like seeing Rob happy. After everything he’s done for me, he deserves it.”

“Man, I remember when Carson wanted to get you to find out if Meg was into Rob. Those idiots were totally convinced that girls would just confide that stuff in you, like you were their personal spy in girlworld. Those dudes had no idea how much they saw you as a chick, even back then.”

Holly’s eyebrows went up, “Yeah… that got weird more than a few times. You were no exception, buster.”

Rick winked, “Yeah, but I was right.”

“I still remember the night I told you,” Holly mused quietly. “That was special.”

“Yeah, that's my Mom and Dad were already convinced you were my girlfriend before I knew you were a girl,” Rick smirked.

The two walked on through the crowds, absorbing the festive atmosphere of the carnival. Stalls and rides were decorated with fake snow and festive lights that brought forth the spirit of the holidays. All around them, the scent of seasonal foods and woodsmoke drifted heavily in the air.

“It’s really pretty here,” Holly sighed, glancing around the carnival as the lights twinkled under the night sky. “Thank you for bringing me. This is really magical.”

“If I can’t take my girl to the carnival, what kind of boyfriend am I?”

“I don’t know, you’re my first,” Holly shrugged. “You might be quite bad at it in all reality.”

“I picked you up, I said hey to your Dad, drove you out here, bought you snacks, and hot chocolate. I think I’m doing a pretty good job,” Rick asserted, puffing out his chest.

Holly shrugged impassively, “Passing grade so far, I’m still finalizing my review.”

Rick snorted, “Fine, would the lady care to try a ride?”

Holly pursed her lips and considered the idea for a moment. “Well, we can see how the night goes. I really wanted to stay a virgin until marriage.”

Unprepared for the remark, Rick sprayed hot chocolate everywhere, “god damn it, not when I’m drinking, girl.” Wiping his mouth, he gestured at the Ferris Wheel, “I meant that kind of ride.”

Holly grinned innocently, “I knew that.”

“You’re terrible,” Rick sighed, unable to stop himself smiling.

As the two walked towards the line for the wheel, Rick wrapped his arm around Holly’s waist as he tucked her into his side, “You seem a lot happier… less stressed out; It’s a good look on you.”

“I am,” Holly agreed as she considered what he was saying. “With school behind me and everything that happened in Germany, I feel kinda liberated. Not much is holding me back anymore, and that feels pretty great. It feels a lot like freedom, actually.”

“I’m glad,” Rick offered, squeezing her gently. “You were getting pretty stressed holding it all together before the trip.”

“No kidding,” Holly sighed as Rick paid for their tickets. “I was close to developing a split personality. Things were getting really far out of hand, and I wouldn’t have made it much further.”

“It was funny at times,” Rick pointed out.

Holly frowned, “Not when it’s you trying to play hot potato with your existence.”

“Excited for the new semester?”

“Nervous, scared, excited, and a little gassy,” Holly frowned. “That might have been the toasted marshmallows, though.”

Rick chuckled, “Yeah, you did kinda inhale them. I understand what you mean, though; I cannot imagine what it’s going to be like for you. I’ll be here, though, you know that, right?”

“I know,” Holly murmured, leaning against Rick’s shoulder. “Thanks.”

The wheel began to cycle off its passengers and the staff began to board the new riders. After a few minutes' wait, it was finally Holly and Rick’s turn to board. The cars on the ferris wheel were small and octagonal capsules with seating positioned around a central post that allowed the carriage to rotate freely around its axis. As soon as they were seated, the wheel began its slow rotation.

“This is my first time on a Ferris wheel,” Holly admitted, a slight tremble creeping into her voice as she gripped firmly onto the seat edge.

“You’ll be fine, it’s not fast,” Rick offered soothingly from his position across from her. “Just relax and enjoy the ride.”

“It’s not that, I’m not too fond of heights.”

“Heights, boats, what else?”

Holly scowled at Rick and slapped his knee, “I’m serious.”

“You were ok on the plane, right?”

Holly grimaced, “It’s not height in general, but rather any height from which I might survive the fall, whilst badly maimed, and in terrible pain. That is what scares me; not the falling, the stopping. Anything that will switch me off like a light instantly is totally fine.”

Rick nodded approvingly, “Macarbre, but I can’t fault the logic.”

The car swung slightly as it reached its apex, causing Holly to grab for the central post. “I don’t like this.”

“Keep your eyes on the horizon,” Rick explained calmly, gently lifting up her chin. “Watch the lights over the rides and the city in the distance, don’t look directly down.”

“That is easier said than done,” Holly grumbled, doing her best not to do that very thing.

As the car began its slow descent from the top, Holly began to relax. Keeping her eyeline level with the car, she eased off on her grip on the post. Looking out across the carnival, a slow smile began to spread across her lips, “You know, it is kind of pretty up here, when I’m not afraid of gruesome and drawn out death and suffering.”

“Don’t ever take you on a rock climbing date, got it,” Rick grinned.

“Yeah, let's not…” Holly affirmed. “Physical activities and I tend to result in terrible accidents."

Rick smirked and stretched out on his side of the carriage, his arms resting casually atop the seat. “You really are beautiful, you know that?”

Holly blushed, “I uh, I…um, thank you?”

Rick shook his head, “I always forget how new you are to getting complimented on your appearance. Here you are, this gorgeous girl, yet you don’t even see it yourself. I can’t believe I’m lucky enough to be your boyfriend. Sometimes I’m just… You drive me wild.”

“You’re not too bad yourself,” Holly smiled sheepishly. “I’m not used to it, at all. Hell, I can’t really see it in the mirror. I’ll look at myself, and sometimes, I’ll only ever see my own worst flaws magnified. Somehow, every time you say it, it makes me believe it a little bit more.”

“You deserve far more than I could ever manage to give you,” Rick murmured, reaching over and squeezing Holly’s hand. “I love you, Holly.”

Holly’s heart swelled with emotion, and she returned the squeeze, “I looooooo….”

At the exact moment that Holly was professing her undying love to the boy sitting across from her, the carriage reached the bottom of its first loop. It was at that very same moment that the staff member operating the ride grabbed the railing of the carriage and gave it a yank, exactly as he had done to each and every car before it. Before she could comprehend what was going on, Holly found herself starting to rise up once again as the car began to spin around its axis at an unsettling speed.

“WAAAAAAAAAAAA OH MY GOD!!!”

The cool and sympathetic thing for Rick to do would have been to reach out and comfort Holly in her moment of abject terror as the carriage spun around. The practical and sensible choice would have been to remain quiet and not instigate a further response. Instead, Rick chose to react to Holly’s unhinged shriek of terror by laughing his ass off.

“Asshole,” Holly scowled as the car began to slow its spin, her knuckles turning white as she gripped the railing for dear life. “That wasn’t remotely funny.”

“You should have seen your face,” Rick wiped the tears from his eyes. “You were so serious and romantic and then and then all of a sudden it was like someone let off a firecracker up your butt.”

“I can go off a guy real fast,” Holly frowned, crossing her arms haughtily.

Rick shook his head, “Nah, I’m far too awesome. Why would you ever go off me?”

Holly glanced over the edge of the carriage and grimaced as she realized just how high up they still were. Shooting Rick a dirty look, she pouted, “You are lucky that I’m too scared to come over there and kick your ass, funny guy.”

 

 

“Ooh, Archery! Come on, we have to have a go!” Holly exclaimed excitedly, bouncing up and down as she spotted the stand. Like most carnival games, the stand featured a number of targets along the back wall with a row of stations for contestants to try their luck shooting with bows and arrows. All around the stand, there were stuffed toy prizes waiting to be won by the lucky contestants.

“You know these things are totally rigged, right?” Rick frowned. “I could just buy you a teddy bear if you really wanted one?”

“It’s not the same,” Holly waved a hand. “It means something more if I win them… buying it is far too easy. Anyway, that doesn’t matter; I’m a strong independent woman, and I can waste my own money if I want to, that’s like, the rules of feminism.”

Rick raised an eyebrow, “Go right ahead, Annie Oakley.”

Walking over to the stand, Holly handed over five dollars to the attendant and took up the first arrow and the bow.

“Here you go, sweetheart, hold it like this,” the attendant offered, positioning the arrow correctly and notching it into the string for her. “There you go, give it a whirl. Two in the target, small prize, one in the bullseye for the big prize!”

Holly pursed her lips, closed an eye, and took aim at the target directly ahead of her. “This seems so much easier in Ancient Scrolls.”

“Hol, that’s a video game.”

“Not the point… I’m just realizing my skill points don’t translate.”

Rick rolled his eyes, “God, you’re such a nerd.”

“You picked me,” Holly shrugged as she drew back the string. Getting a feel for the bow, she held her breath, aimed, and released. Flying clear of the bow, the arrow shot hopelessly off to one side, slamming into the straw bale backstop a foot left of the target.

“Crap.”

“That’s ok,” The attendant offered, handing her a second arrow, “Try to aim along the arrow, use your thumb as a guide.”

“You got this, Hol,” Rick offered from one side. “Breathe in, hold it, exhale, shoot.”

“I’d be screwed if we were under attack by the orks,” she muttered, releasing her second arrow.

The arrow impacted the target this time, but right on the edge of the border and far away from the prize-winning bullseye.

“Last one; get it on the target to win a small prize!” The attendant announced, stepping to the side of the target lane.

Holly took a deep breath and closed her eyes. Centering herself, she raised the bow and notched her final arrow. In her mind’s eye, she replayed every video game and cinematic archery reference she could think of. She channeled the great heroes of the noble elves and the heroic rogues of fantasy into her hands. Opening her eyes, she exhaled and released the bowstring.

The arrow shot from the bow with strength and certainty. From its tip to its fletching, it flew through the air in a graceful arc before impaling a cardboard advertisement a mere two feet from the attendant’s head.

“Jesus, fuck!” the man exclaimed, collecting himself. “I uh…um, here, give that to me,” he indicated, urgently taking the bow from Holly’s hands.

“I uh, sorry,” Holly grinned sheepishly. “I’m a lot better at it in video games.”

“Yeah, don’t worry about it,” the man waved his hand dismissively as he began to slowly regain his composure. “Occupational hazard.”

“I’ll take a go,” Rick offers, stepping up and handing over his money. “I’m a considerably better shot than her.”

“I’ll hold you to that,” the man replied, handing over three arrows and a bow to Rick. “Two on target for a small prize, one in the bullseye for the big ones, good luck, bro.”

Rick flexed his arms and notched an arrow. Taking aim at the target, he released his first shot. Similar to Holly’s, the arrow curved wide and slammed into the backing. Rick seemed to consider this and played with the second arrow in his hand for a moment. When he seemed satisfied, he aimed away from the target and fired.

The second arrow slammed into the target in the third ring with a satisfying thud. A smile crossed Rick’s lips. Glancing over his shoulder at Holly, he winked, “Can I get a kiss for good luck?”

Holly rolled her eyes and leaned up to plant a kiss on Rick’s lips, “Good luck, superstar.”

Rick grinned, drew back the bow, and aimed off target by two feet to the right and released the arrow. Almost as if guided by a wire, the arrow curved through the air and slammed into the bullseye with a sickening thwack.

The attendant seemed slightly peeved but smiled regardless, “Good shot, man, which toy do you want?”

Rick looked over at Holly, “Ladies choice?”

Holly looked over the collection of animals and pointed at a large stuffed Koala bear, “I want him.”

Rick gestured to the attendant, and the man reached up to extract the toy. Walking it over, he presented it directly to Holly, “Here you go miss, now don’t go shooting anymore, ok?”

Holly blushed, “Ah, uh, sorry about that.”

The man winked and turned to look at Rick, “Nice shooting, bro, enjoy the carnival.”

Holly hugged the bear tightly as they walked away from the stand, “Thank you,” she beamed, looking up at Rick beside her. “How did you know to aim off like that?”

Rick shrugged, “The arrows were weighted oddly… like, no matter how you shot it, it was going to curve off target; I compensated.”

“This is why they don’t let me near firearms and or sharp objects,” Holly admitted with a smirk. “I have the athletic prowess of a drunk raccoon.”

“Nah, the raccoons are probably a little more talented,” Rick chuckled, dodging a playful swipe.

“Thank you, though, I mean it,” Holly added earnestly, squeezing the bear. She sighed happily, “I remember when Chrissie was still in high school; a boy won her this stuffed duck at the State Fair. It wasn’t as big as Arrow here, but it was the gesture, you know? She was so pleased with Lord Quackers that she kept him on her windowsill long after she dumped the guy. I think in many ways it’s one of those formative moments in a girl’s life. I guess that I never thought it would ever happen for me.”

Rick wrapped his arm around Holly’s shoulders and squeezed, “You deserve it and more. I’m glad I could be the one to win him for you. Can I tell you a secret?”

Holly nodded, and he leaned close to her ear, “I kinda felt like a total badass winning that bear. Probably more than when I won us the game against Andrews with that solo touchdown. Kinda gives me mad guy points, you know? Win your girl a prize at the fair? Check. I suppose it works for both sides.”

“Maybe it does,” Holly agreed.

“Arrow, huh?”

“I mean, it is topical,” Holly shrugged, eying the bear critically. “He looks like an Arrow.”

“Fair enough, I’d have called him Rick so he’s named after a charming and sexy hero.”

“I’m not sure; I couldn’t cope with wanting to cuddle two Ricks,” Holly leered. “I’d have to pick the cuter one.”

Rick’s brow furrowed, “You mean me… right?”

Holly wiggled her eyebrows and squeezed the bear.

“Holly! Rick!”

The pair turned around just in time for Megan Byrne to launch herself at Holly from several feet away. The fiery redhead was wielding a stick of roasted marshmallows that narrowly missed impaling a passing carnival goer in the process. “We found you! We’ve been looking everywhere!”

“Dude,” Rob Winters offered as he greeted Rick.

“Dude,” Rick returned.

Holly looked between the pair and rolled her eyes, “You guys have a good time?”

“Awesome,” Megan grinned, “I got to go on the twirly thingy over there,” she gestured at a wildly flailing ride that made Holly queasy to even consider riding it. “We’re meeting Kara and Tina for food, you guys coming?”

Holly looked up at Rick and squeezed her bear, “Sure, that sounds pretty awesome.”