{ 7:00 PM }
Joyful laughter could be heard from every corner of the streets as snowflakes slowly fell from the sky, covering every inch of the city. Christmas music played as I watched the happy kids play in the snow, couples happily sharing desserts, and people going in and out of stores with a bunch of paper bags in their hands, it was Christmas. And since it was Christmas break I decided to stay at my condo.
I let out a deep sigh as I continued walking into the streets letting my mind wander around as a frown made its way up my face. My mom had to go on a business trip last minute so I couldn't spend Christmas with her this year.
With narrowed eyes, I glanced over my phone screen, a sad look in my eye as I read the messages.
"Merry Christmas Crystal! Sorry, I can't hang out today, I'm celebrating Christmas with my family this year. But I promise we'll hang out again soon. Got to go now bye and Merry Christmas again!"
"Hey Crystal! Merry Christmas, sorry I couldn't meet up with you, something just came up and I had to head home. I'll make it up to you next time I promise."
Merry Xmas Crystal! Hope you have an awesome day, let's talk again soon after Christmas break!
I scrolled down my messages to see more text from my friends, but all said they couldn't hang out with me today. I pursed my lips, slipping my phone back into my pocket as I continued walking.
And I guess all my friends had plans today too so I guess I'll just have to spend this year's Christmas by myself. I clenched the paper bag handle in my hand as I glanced down at it, a heavy sigh escaping my lips.
And I guess I'll just have to give them these gifts when Christmas break is over too then.
Averting my attention back on the road ahead I couldn't help but feel sad and perhaps jealous of my friends as I thought of them. I didn't know why but I did, they were all amazing friends and they deserve to enjoy their Christmas. I shouldn't ruin that by getting mad or jealous of them. I shook my negative thoughts away as my condo entrance came into view.
Making my way up to my condo unit my eyes scrunched up in confusion as my eyes landed on a red sticky note placed on my door, causing me to mutter a soft "huh?". Slowly peeling the paper off of the door, I held it up to my face as I began reading its contents
"Merry Christmas! Our friend so dear. Let us say what we want you to hear. To you, Crystal we send Christmas cheer. Follow our trail, that'll lead you here."
Turning the piece of paper around, my mind filled with curiosity. Who would take time out of their day to do all of this? I shook my head in confusion before returning my attention to the paper.
"A place filled with all kinds of treats, it's the place we three used to go and meet. Hurry you must, there's no time to waste. A moment less and you'll be far too late..."
My eyes squinted in utter confusion as I looked around my surroundings suspiciously. Sera and John are on vacation and they're the only ones who know my condo unit number, so who the heck put this note on my door?! Letting out a frustrated sigh I shrugged the thoughts of the paper away as I unlocked my door and went inside.
What if it's just one of my schoolmates messing with me? I'm not stupid enough to fall for that! But what if it's not a joke? Argh! For all I know, someone might be trying to kidnap me!
I thought as I placed my paper bag filled gifts on my dining table, sliding my padded purple jacket off of my shoulders.
But then again ... I glanced up at my dark and empty condo with conflicted eyes.
Maybe I should go and follow the note. There's no point in staying here alone and binge watch Christmas movies all night when all I'm gonna think about while watching is the note. Glancing back and forth at the note in my hand and my condo multiple times, I finally decided to give into my curious side and go outside and see where this note leads to. And if nothing interesting happens or if it is just a joke then I could just go and drop these gifts at my dorm before heading home. So that when Christmas breaks over I'll get to give it to them as soon as I see them.
With one last look at the room, I quickly slipped on my jacket back on me as I picked up my paper bag and quickly left the building, the red sticky note still in between my fingers as I locked my unit.
Letting my legs lead me towards the entrance of the condo I turned towards the note, readings the words on it over and over again.
A place filled with all kinds of treats? It's the place we three used to go and meet? Where is this exactly?
Without glancing up I exited the lobby and began walking through the streets, staying on the side to make sure I don't accidentally bump into someone.
I don't usually hang out with anyone else except for my friends outside of school so how am I supposed to figure this out?
Wait...
Halting in my steps I brought my fingers up to my lips in deep thought.
The only people I've even hung out with out of school at all are Sera, John, Remi, Isen, and Blyke. But...It's the place we three used to go and meet? What if it's at Woaba Boba? That's the place Sera, John, and I first hung out. Could that be it? Well, there's only one way to find out.
Quickly turning on my heel I began speeding towards the cafe as my mind started wandering off again in thought.
But there's no way Sera or John could've done this, they're on vacation afterall so how could they?
But before I could even think about my decisions again I finally arrived at the entrance of Woaba Boba.
My eyes looked over at the cafe filled with people before pushing myself against the door letting me inside. And as soon as I did, the scent of sweet treats and drinks filled my nose I took a deep breath. Looking around at my surroundings, my eyes landed on the people sitting in the booths of the cafe, happily enjoying their food as they talked amongst themselves, the place was packed. How am I gonna find the next clue now? With furrowed eyebrows, I began doubting the note and myself, what if this wasn't where the note was leading me to?
And just as I was about to turn around and check a different location a voice called out to me through the multiple voices and noise circulating throughout the place.
"Hey! Purple-haired girl! Over here!" Quickly snapping my head around, my eyes darted all over the place until it finally landed on a waitress leaning against the counter with a wide smile on her face.
I hesitated for a second before walking over to the lady, her eyes glued on me as I just flashed her an awkward smile.
"Here, someone wanted me to give it to the first purple-haired girl I see." The waitress said, pulling a pink folded piece of paper out of the pocket of her apron, handing it over to me. Gladly taking it from her and slipping it into my pocket, I glanced up to meet her gaze as I raised an eyebrow.
"And I'm the first purple-haired girl you've seen today?" I said raising an eyebrow at her as she just smirked.
"No, but judging by your reaction I think I've got the right girl" she proudly said as I just sighed.
"What did the person who gave this to you look like?" I muttered curiously as the lady just let out a soft chuckle.
"Sorry, they didn't wanna say. They said was a secret" I nodded my head in understanding since I knew I wouldn't be able to get any more information out of her. I then quickly thanked the lady before making my way over to the entrance of the cafe.
"Merry Christmas and take care!" The waitress shouted out to me as I gave the lady a thankful nod before heading out the door and back into the cold snowy streets. Pulling my jacket closer to my body, my hands were white as I rubbed them together. I should buy myself some mittens later too.
As soon as I found a small corner of the busy streets I quickly made my way over to it, and pulled the note out of my pocket, and began unfolding it. And just as I suspected it was another riddle. GREAT...
"At last you found it! The second clue tis' I. Listen well now friend, because I shall not tell lies. Good for you, this is the last clue. I'm tired of rhyming that bit is quite true."
I let out a chuckle at the last part of the rhyme as I eagerly turned the paper around.
"Go to the place where the conflict began. But fear not our friend, it's all according to plan. The talks that happened, the revelations we had. It's time we celebrate, together it will be great!"
Tapping my foot against the snow-filled floor I looked up at my surroundings, trying to find a place that fits the criteria.
"Go to the place where the conflict began? What conflict exactly? Lots of things happened these past few days already so where could it be?"
As I lowered my eyebrows in deep thought, I could see more snowflakes falling from above, swirling around in the wind as I finally came to a realization.
"John's house! Most of the drama started there so maybe that's it! If not then I don't have any idea where else" And without a second thought I dashed towards his house as I breathed in the fresh cold air of Christmas eve.
After a few more minutes of running, passing through the streets, my hands freezing cold as the picture of people passed my vision in a flash, the familiar house came into view as I began walking the rest of the way towards it not wanting to waste any more energy. And as I did so doubt started to resurface as I finally thought about my decisions.
But why at John's place? He's on vacation with his dad this year, he texted me about it earlier so why here?
As I reached the front door of his house I scanned the outside of the house and the front door, noticing the different Christmas decorations covering the house. But the strange thing about it was that none of the Christmas lights were on, even the lights inside the house were off. Is he even home? What if this is just some prank that I completely fell for? Maybe I should just go home, it doesn't look like I'll find anything here anyways.
But just as I was about to turn around and leave, I was caught off guard by a hand reaching out from inside the poor lit house as it yanked me by my wrist inside, making me let out a surprised shout.
Stumbling inside, I noticed how the entire house was completely dark, blinking my eyes for a bit before it finally adjusted, I couldn't make out anything in the room but I did see a few shadow figures shuffling across the room.
"Hello?" Was all I managed to mutter as I took a step forward, tightly gripping my jacket and paper bag as I tried to be brave, I didn't like the dark.
But not a second later the lights flashed on as Christmas music began blasting through the speakers. Immediately closing my eyes from the sudden light I could hear multiple voices giggling and chuckling at me.
Just as I opened my eyes again, my eyes widened in shock and amazement as my mouth hung wide open.
"Merry Christmas Crystal!!!!" With one big loud shout, the familiar faces of my friends flashed me a wide smile as they all had ugly Christmas sweaters on with different headpieces on their heads to top it all off. My surprised expression immediately turned into a happy one as I blinked multiple times trying to process what just happened.
"You guys! I...I thought you all went to go spend Christmas with your families??" I said shocked as my eyes glanced over to my grinning friend's.
"You're our family too silly! Did you think we would ditch you on Christmas?"
"Yeah! We care about you Crystal, you deserve to enjoy your Christmas too."
"Here we got you this especially ugly Christmas sweater just for you too!"
"And don't forget your Santa hat"
Before I could protest Remi and Sera started taking my jacket off of me and began slipping on a bright red ugly Christmas sweater and a Santa hat. A small yelp leaving my lips as I couldn't help but let out a soft laugh. Letting Remi take my paper bag and place it on the couch.
And in a matter of seconds, I was already dressed just like them. Glancing my eyes around the room my eyes widened in shock once again as my eyes laid on the different decorations covering John's house. There stood beside the front door a tall and colorfully lit Christmas tree covered in different ornaments, Christmas lights, and ribbons. Turning around in astonishment my eyes soon landed in a long foldable rectangular table covered with a bright red table cloth, and on top of it was filled with all kinds of Christmas food and treats.
And as I kept looking around the house with a wide smile plastered on my face, the others just stared at me with smirks on their faces as they felt proud and happy for coming up with such an idea.
"How- When did you guys do all of this? It's...amazing." I said bewildered as I turned my head to face them. John stood forward flashing me a wide grin as his reindeer headband gave off a little jiggle from the bells decorated on it.
"Well it was originally Sera and I's idea but Remi, Blyke, and Isen eventually found out and tagged along. And as for those two..." John said pointing his finger at a corner of the room, making me turn my head.
My eyes met with a familiar blonde as he just stared back with his usual poker face on with his arms crossed on his chest. Was he just staring at me this whole time? I tried to hold in my laugh as my eyes then landed on the Santa hat and dark blue ugly Christmas sweater he had on. Noticing how I was on the verge of bursting into laughter he glared my way, squinting his eyes annoyed as he slightly pouted his lips immediately snapping his head away avoiding my gaze, a faint pink tint on his face as I just smirked. Cute.
And right beside him was another familiar face, nervously looking at me waving a "hi" before turning away with an embarrassed expression. I just smiled back at the girl as I heard John taking a step closer to me.
"They both just showed up at my door earlier, so I took pity on them and let them inside," John said shaking his head, shrugging his shoulders at them as Arlo's eyes widened in shock, dropping his arms to the side taking a step forward.
"Took pity on them? That's not what you said earlier when you told us to leave!" The blue-eyed boy said glaring at John as John just narrowed his eyes at him.
But before the two can say anything more to each other Sera and Remi stepped in between the two as Sera started dragging John away. Remi looked at me embarrassed as she locked her arms with mine, leading me away from the two and towards the food table filled with all sorts of sweets and food anyone would want and see on Christmas.
"Hahaha....sorry about that Crystal. They've been at each other since this afternoon, but I hope it didn't ruin your first impression of the party." Remi said worried as I just let out a chuckle, shaking my head.
"Are you kidding? No, of course not! Everything is just amazing, I still can't believe you guys did all of this."
"Oh, it was nothing! Honestly! Decorating and getting all of this ready was all worth it!" I glanced over at the whole room, taking in all of the decorations hanging all of the room as I turned back to Remi.
"You guys just should've told me about your plans earlier so I that could've helped you all decorate and get things ready!" I said feeling guilty as Remi's eyes widened. But before she could speak a voice behind me interrupted her
"It was supposed to be a surprise silly, and if we did, things wouldn't have been this interesting and fun" Turning around, my eyes met a redhead as they wore this yellow ugly Christmas sweater with an elf hat on. A smirk made its way up to my face as I crossed my arms over my chest, leaning slightly forward mockingly.
"Santa's little helper huh?" I jokingly said as I watched Blyke's cheeks go red and turn his head to the side, glaring at me from the corner of his eyes. "Oh be quiet! It's not like I chose to wear this hat!" Letting out a chuckle I turned my head back towards Remi.
"By the way Remi, who wrote those riddles?"
"I did!" Snapping my head around once again Isen stepped forward with a wide grin on his face as I raised an eyebrow in amusement. The boy wore a green ugly Christmas sweater paired with a green reindeer headband. "What a surprise" I sarcastically said as the orange-haired boy stood beside me.
"Well, who else would've come up with them? Blyke?" He said chuckling as the red-haired boy just glared his way. "Wait a sec- then how did you know my condo unit number? I never told you." I raised an eyebrow at the boy as he just turned to me with a smile on his face.
"About that, Seraphina and John helped me there. They were the ones who told me where to plant the notes." I raised both my eyebrows at this new information as I just nodded my head at him.
"I see, no wonder you knew to place the second note at Woaba Boba." He grinned at me, nodding his head before slipping an arm over my shoulder. But before I could say anything to him he quickly retracted his hand back to him, turning away sweat dropping.
Curiously, I looked over his shoulder to see John and Arlo beside each other glaring daggers at the boy as I begin to sweatdrop too. Why they glared at Isen was beyond me so I just shrugged it off and turned back around to see Remi who quickly latched her arm around mine, something that became a habit of hers as she began leading me around the house to see the different decorations they set up earlier. It was honestly impressive to see how much they got done and decorated in a matter of a few hours while keeping this a secret from me.
"We're gonna have so much fun Crystal! We're gonna eat, no sleep, celebrate and repeat! It's gonna be great, trust me" The pink-haired girl beside me said cheerfully as she grinned at me excitedly. Letting out a laugh I just nodded my head at the joyful girl. "Can't wait! So, what do we do first?"
Remi smirked at me glancing back and forth at a sweat dropping Isen and Blyke before resting her eyes on me.
"I'm glad you asked my dear roommate"
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Happy holidays my dear readers!
First off I would just like to apologize for not publishing this yesterday but I would still like to greet all of you a MERRY CHRISTMAS! This is my first time writing a chapter like this so I really hope you enjoyed it.
Second, because the chapter turned out longer than I expected it to be I decided to cut them into parts! So please expect a few more chapters coming soon right after I publish this.
And if you did enjoy this chapter and would love for me to make more on different holidays don't hesitate to tell me down below in the comments. I would also love to hear all your thoughts and opinions on the Christmas special chapter so far.
But anyway, Merry Christmas again and have an amazing day!
LittleCuteCloud out!~<3