"Friendship multiplies joys and divides sorrow." ~Chinese Proverb


Thursday, 19 December – Moving In Day

John dropped the over full gym bag on the floor with a lazy thud and scanned the tiny room. Smaller than his actual residence hall room, it would have to do.

When he started university he had tried to convince Harry to move back into the flat they'd grown up in, so she'd have a steady place to stay, and there would be a place for John to "go home" to. That arrangement lasted for two months, until the landlord raised a fuss about rent not being paid, and had posted an eviction notice. With all of his resources being needed for school, there was nothing John could do to retain their home.

So, he stayed at school.

For the third Christmas in a row, John had opted to stay on campus over winter break. Harry was… unreliable… in having a safe place to stay. There wasn't any other family to turn to, and John didn't want to impose on his friends.

Not many students opted to stay on campus over break. The majority of those who did were international students who had no way to travel home. Since there were so few, for safety purposes, they were all transplanted to a temporary residence hall.

For the third year in a row, John had completed his exams, crammed the bare necessities into his gym bag and backpack, pulled all the bedding from his bed, and trudged across campus. He plastered on a smile and chose the most likely path to afford being able to avoid the pitying glances of his friends and classmates.

The previous two years John had been fortunate enough to have a room to himself, and he hadn't been notified of having a roommate this year either. John preferred the solitude; he was completely exhausted from the stress and sleep deprivation of finals. He relished the idea of two whole uninterrupted weeks of sleep.

John made his bed quickly, and dumped his belongings in a drawer. He really didn't have the energy to hang anything up. "Shower," he mumbled as he gathered up his wash kit and a clean set of clothes. "Oi. First year residence is the worst," John griped as he realized the shared bathroom for the floor was down the hall.

The shower stall seemed clean enough and the water pressure was… adequate. "Doesn't matter. Just need sleep." John powered through the shower and dressed quickly. Thankful that it seemed most of the rooms on the floor were unoccupied, he made his way to his room. Turning the doorknob, John groaned.

Locked.

His keys were in his jacket pocket.

"Oh my God. Why." John groaned. He tried the doorknob once more, a little more forcefully. When that didn't work, he let his head fall forward and banged his forehead on the door loudly. With a sigh, he considered his options; hopefully the maintenance guys hadn't left.

Just as John moved to stand upright, his door was flung open from the inside, sending him sprawling forward and crashing into… someone…

"Oh! Sorry mate!" the mystery person stopped John from hitting the ground, and helped him stand upright.

"No… no, sorry. I must've got to… the wrong… room…" John looked around the small room. Nope. That was definitely his blanket and pillow. His jacket (with the missing keys) thrown over the desk. "Ah. Sorry, wasn't expecting to have a roommate." John rubbed the back of his neck and looked the man standing in front of him up and down.

Man? Definitely a kid. Probably first year. Light brown hair, messy, styled that way on purpose. Glasses. Superhero t-shirt. Nondescript denims. Taller than John by about five inches, slight athletic build, but definitely not an athlete.

"So… Sorry." John cleared his throat and put his hand out. "I'm…"

"John Watson!" The kid shook John's hand enthusiastically.

"I'm sorry… Have we met?" John blinked in surprise.

"Well, yes. But not really. Oh my God, I can't believe you're my roommate. You're a legend, did you know? You passed Professor Kirk's impossible to pass first year med studies assessment. Only one of three to ever pass it on the first day of class. And with a near perfect score too. He had you come to our class and talk about study skills. I shook your hand that day too. Oh my God. The guys are not going to believe this." The other man was nearly vibrating.

John chuckled nervously. "Yeah… That's me." He took a step back and sat his armful of stuff on the desk. Checking his jacket, John retrieved his keys and turned around. "Forgot my keys." He shrugged.

"Heh." John's new roommate grinned stupidly at him.

"Right. We've established I'm John Watson, and that I'm bloody brilliant. That makes you…" John grabbed his worn copy of "The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe" and an apple he had swiped at lunch earlier, and flopped down onto his bed. He crossed his legs in front of him and leaned back against the wall.

"Ah… Sorry, right. I'm Matt. Matt MacGregor. First year med. I…" Matt stumbled to his bed, and sat down, imitating John's posture. "I… Am decidedly not bloody brilliant." Matt averted his eyes. John laughed outright.

"Nice to meet you, Matt MacGregor. So, why are you trapped in holiday purgatory?" John wiped the apple on his shirt and toyed with the stem.

"Family's travelling for the holidays. Girlfriend's at school in the States. You?" Matt leaned forward eagerly. "Research? Independent study?"

John choked on a bite of apple. "No. Nothing so noble. Nowhere else to go." He shrugged, but left it at that. He'd known this kid all of ten minutes and would be living in close quarters for two weeks. No need to scare him off. "I stay every year."

"Wow. So… What's there to do?" Matt drew his knees up toward his chest.

Great. Nervous energy. John groaned internally. "Ah, not much, really. I mostly sleep. I may look like I'm functioning right now, but my brain officially shut down around 2:30 this morning."

Matt laughed entirely too hard at that. "I get it." He seemed to notice for the first time that John was wearing pyjamas. "Oh, God. Sorry. I didn't mean to keep you up."

"No need to apologize," John laughed. "But I think I am going to sleep for a few hours… Or days. Not sure yet. Don't worry about the lights, or anything. I can sleep through it all." He dropped the apple core in the bin and stretched out on the bed, covering his eyes with the crook of his elbow.

"Well… see ya on the other side," Matt chuckled.

John hummed in agreement. He heard Mat rummaging around the room. Making his bed. Mumbling to himself. John was very certain he heard his own name being mumbled. He shook his head and willed himself to sleep.

The door slamming jarred John awake with a gasp - the rude awakening eliciting memories of long ago. John blinked a few times, and scrubbed his hand over his face. "Sorry… Sorry," Matt half whispered.

"What time is it?" John groaned as he sat up and stretched.

"7:15 PM. On Tuesday. Happy Christmas Eve!" Matt smiled cheerfully.

"What?" John, suddenly wide awake looked around once more.

"Oh, God." Matt, who had dropped into one of the desk chairs, nearly doubled over in laughter.

"Ah, he's got jokes." John rubbed his eyes again and laughed. "So it's still Thursday, yeah?"

"Yeah." Matt nodded. "I, uh… I went down to eat, and thought you might want something. I didn't know what though, so…" He slipped his backpack off and began unloading a random variety of items.

"So you brought everything? Oh my God. Is that a whole loaf of bread?" John laughed and stood up from his bed. He inspected an individual packet of peanut butter and shrugged. "Thanks, Matt. That was incredibly decent of you, mate." John made a peanut butter sandwich, grabbed a banana and sat on the floor.

John would have been satisfied to eat in silence and then sleep through the night. He could tell, however, that Matt wanted to talk. Wanted to get to know him.

Wanted to be his friend.

John shuddered when he considered the ramifications, and then smiled to himself. When did he become a cranky old man? "Well, Matt…"

At the same moment, with his head ducked, Matt blurted out, "How'd you do it?"

"Sorry?" John cocked an eyebrow.

"The impossible test. How'd you pass it?" Matt sat cross legged on the floor across from John.

"Ah. Well, that's simple." John smiled warmly. "Everyone around here seems to think I'm this popular, outgoing guy, but really, I'm very private, hate being the center of attention, and very boring…"

"You're the captain of the rugby team!" Matt interjected.

"Well, there's that. But I have bad days, and that just helps me get the aggression out." John winked. "I'm really very boring. And the proof of that is this." John reached into his bag, which he'd left in the middle of the room, and pulled out a worn and ragged copy of "Gray's Anatomy."

"Uhm, we all have one of those, mate. I mean, mine's a little nicer than that… God, is that what it's going to look like in three years?" Matt gulped, eyes wide.

John huffed a laugh. "Close, but no. I have another copy that I bought when I came here. No, this one," John ran his fingers over the cover gingerly. "My sister gave this to me for Christmas when I was ten. It was an old edition even then, but she knew I wanted to be a doctor. Made me promise to study it every day. So… I did." John shrugged.

"You really are an overachiever!" Matt laughed. "Wow, exciting Christmas that must have been, giving a ten year old a text book."

"Eh, yeah. We uhm…" John cleared his throat. "Christmas wasn't a huge deal at my house."

"What?" Matt was incredulous. "No big yearly traditions?"

"No, nothing." John shifted uncomfortably. "No caroling, no parties, most years not even a tree."

"Oh my God, mate. I know what we're going to do over break." Matt leapt to his feet and pulled a notepad and pen from his backpack. John eyed him warily. "We're going to do Christmas."

"Do. Christmas. What… What does that even mean?" John pulled himself up onto his bed.

"I'm going to make a list of all the things my family does around this time of year, and we're going to do them all. It'll be different, but it's okay. We'll get as many people to participate as possible. This is going to be the best ever." Matt was scribbling furiously now.

"I suppose it's too late to convince you I don't celebrate Christmas?" John smirked. Matt didn't respond, he was entirely absorbed in his list making. "Okay, well, I guess I better get some more sleep if we're going to 'do Christmas' instead of lying around like bums for the next two weeks."

Matt waved him off and mumbled, "G'night. We'll talk tomorrow."

"Can't wait." John rolled his eyes, and pulled his blanket over his head.


Friday, 20 December – Christmas Caroling

John woke slowly and stretched. It took him a minute to recall where he was and he froze, hoping he could pretend to be asleep for a little while longer without being noticed.

"Oh good, you're awake! You weren't kidding about being exhausted, huh? It's after noon now. I grabbed a few more things when I went to breakfast this morning, if you're hungry. Oh, and the maintenance guy let me into my other room, so I could get my electric kettle and things, so if you want tea…" Matt gushed.

"Tea. Tea would be fantastic," John interrupted.

"On it!" Sprinting from the room, Matt filled the kettle in the shared kitchenette just across the hall, and came right back. He plugged the kettle in, and prepared a mug with a tea bag. "No milk, but I have the powdered stuff. And sugar."

"No thanks. Plain is fine." John stood and stretched. He inspected the heap of food on Matt's desk and laughed. "No one said anything to you about this?"

"Nah. I'm incredibly charming; I get away with a lot." Matt grinned.

John laughed. "Well, all right." He picked a blueberry bagel and accepted the mug from Matt. "So." John sat back down on his bed and took a long drink of his tea. "How does one 'do Christmas,' according to Matt MacGregor?"

"We've got twelve days between now and New Year's Eve. We're going to do one tradition each day." Matt practically bounced as he spoke.

"Twelve… Like the song, right?" John took another drink of his tea to cover his grimace.

"Exactly! Speaking of which…"

"No. Nononono. I can't sing." John shook his head.

"We have to go caroling! It's basically a requirement to celebrate properly! And you don't have to be good, you just have fun!" With a grin, Matt folded his hands and pretended to beg. "Please John? It'll be fun, I promise."

"You do realize most of the people who are still here don't celebrate Christmas, right? We're definitely the minority here." Tearing a chunk off his bagel, John scrambled for any excuse possible to get out of Matt's plan.

Matt thought about that for a moment. "No problem. I'll figure this out. You get ready." He pulled out his notebook and began scribbling away again.

With a sigh, John stood from his bed, gathered his things and headed off to the bathroom. "John?" Matt called after him without looking up.

"Yeah?" John turned back hopefully.

"Don't forget your keys. You're not getting out of this." Matt grinned.

John sighed again. "Right. Thanks."

Twenty minutes later, Matt dragged John down to the first floor of the residence hall. "Here, wear these." He thrust a scarf and a pair of mittens into John's hands.

"Have you lost your mind? We're staying inside!" John laughed.

Pulling a knit cap with a fluffy ball on top over his styled hair, Matt tsk'd. "We're caroling John. It's part of the whole thing." He wrapped a striped scarf around his own neck. "Go on, then." John shook his head in disbelief, but tied the red scarf around his neck and stuffed his hands into the mittens.

Holding his hands up in surrender, John shrugged. "Now what?"

"Now, we sing! You like the Beatles?"

"What?" John laughed. "Well, yeah, I do, but…"

Before John had a chance to make a run for it, Matt grabbed him by the arm, and pulled him to the end of the hall. He started belting out "Hey Jude," and knocked loudly on the first door.

"Wait… Wait… What are you doing, you idiot?" John laughed nervously.

"Caroling!" Matt hissed. "C'mon!"

John scrubbed one mittened hand over his face and shook his head. "Sure. Why not." John started out softly, but Matt elbowed him in the side, and he laughed and started singing at the top of his lungs.

The person on the other side of the door banged back and shouted at them to go away. The two shrugged and moved to the next room. By the third door, John was giggling uncontrollably and struggling to sing along. They did "Yellow Submarine," "Help," and had just started a rather moving rendition of "Eleanor Rigby" when someone finally opened a door.

"What are you idiots doing?" The sixth door banged open, and the girl standing in the room glared at them. John stuttered, but Matt just kept singing. Stunned, the girl stood there staring until John and Matt finished the song.

"We're caroling!" Matt took a bow.

"Caroling?" The girl snorted. "I've never heard that Christmas song before." She looked them up and down, and turned to John. "Nice mittens."

He raised his hand and waved.

"So really, what do you two freaks want?"

"Nothing!" Matt laughed. "John here's never been caroling, so we're caroling."

"But, that's not a carol!" The girl finally laughed

"John was worried that not everyone would celebrate Christmas, so we're compromising. Everybody loves the Beatles." Matt reached up and adjusted his hat.

"Smart." The girl looked at John, "I'm Hadassah, everyone calls me Essie. I'm Jewish, so Hanukkah for me."

"I'm Matt, and I already introduced John," he took another quick bow.

"Yeah, I'm brilliant, and he's charming." John deadpanned. Matt laughed convulsively and fell on the floor.

"Essie! Make 'em go 'way!" Someone from inside the room shouted.

"That," Essie pointed behind her, "is Isabelle. Izzy for short. She's agnostic, and chooses not to celebrate Christmas."

"Interesting pairing." John nodded.

"We make it work," Izzy approached the door and wrapped her arms around Essie.

Pulling himself up from the floor, Matt waved his hand. "Guess we know why you guys didn't go home for the break."

"Oh my God, Matt." John buried his face in his mittens. "You can't just…"

"No, he's right." Essie frowned and leaned back into Izzy.

"It's a good thing you're charming, otherwise, I might have to smack you," Izzy looked at Matt, and winked. "So, how 'bout it, Essie. You wanna go caroling with these idiots?"

"Really?" Matt clapped his hands excitedly.

"What?" John nearly choked in surprise.

Essie squealed. "Yes! Let me get my scarf. And I'll wear mittens too, like John. Izzy, wear that penguin hat!" The two girls giggled as they got ready.

"What the hell just happened?" John tried to scratch the back of his neck with his mittened hand.

"Peace on Earth, good will toward man, John. That's what happened." Matt had assumed a very serious expression, but his eyes glistened with joy.

"Idiot." John laughed. "What song's next?"

"You guys know 'Here Comes The Sun'?" Izzy asked as Essie locked their door behind them.


Saturday, 21 December – Christmas Baking

"This isn't right. Nothing about this is right!" John inspected the gingerbread men shaped items on the baking sheet. He looked up at Matt and couldn't help laughing. "You look ridiculous! You've got flour…" He waved his hand in a sweeping gesture. "Everywhere!"

"You're one to talk." Matt snapped, clearly frustrated. "I don't understand. Mum and I make these same ones every year. I followed the recipe exactly!"

"Here, let me see it," John stuck his hand out.

Tapping his head, Matt grinned. "It's all up here."

Rolling his eyes, John dropped the tray on the countertop in front of Matt. "Well, now we have eight dozen gingerbread men that will kill anyone who tries to eat them. I say we bin them, and call it a day."

"No! No, you have to have the whole experience. The baking and decorating. The sharing with friends. The eating ." Matt picked up a biscuit and tried unsuccessfully to bite into it. "Maybe if we just put frosting on it…"

"No! Absolutely not!" John smacked the gingerbread man from Matt's hand, sending it careening across the room just as one of the guys from down the hall walked through the door. He ducked just as the deadly treat shattered on the doorjamb. "Oh God, sorry Sanjay! You okay?" John brushed biscuit dust off Sanjay's shoulder.

"What are you two up to today?" Sanjay from India, and his roommate, Nathan from the States, had thought the caroling was brilliant, and after every room had been serenaded (welcomed or not), Nate had made them all hot cocoa.

"Gingerbread men," Matt slumped against the wall and slid to the floor. "But they're all hard as rocks."

"Deadly projectiles." John added. "Projectiles that we are not handing out to people."

Sanjay grinned deviously. "I have an idea. Meet Nate and me on the roof in 15 minutes. Bring all of the cookies." He dashed from the kitchenette, leaving Matt and John to clean up their mess.

Twenty minutes later four grown men stood on the roof of their residence hall, giggling like school girls.

"Brilliant. Absolutely bloody brilliant, Sanj." John laughed as he lined up another shot.

Sanjay, studying engineering, had been working on a design for a couple of giant slingshot looking devices. No real application, but just for fun. The problem was, he hadn't found any good ammunition.

Until now.

Matt lined up his shot and Nate yelled, "Pull!" John launched his gingerbread man first, and Matt released his immediately after. The two collided, and exploded in a puff of dust. The four men screamed and cheered.

"Okay, you were right, baking is worth it," John laughed.


Sunday, 22 December – Stringing Popcorn Garlands

John didn't even try to conceal his frustration as he cursed. "Why? Why would anyone do this?"

"And here all the rumors say you're such a perfect gentleman, John Watson. I'm feeling very disillusioned right now." Izzy laughed. John threw a handful of popcorn at her.

"Don't waste it!" Matt shouted, and threw another handful in John's direction.

"Seriously, though. Matt, you really do this nonsense?" Nate groaned.

"Don't listen to them, Matt. I think it's lovely." Essie smiled sweetly.

"I am a fourth year engineering student, and I can't seem to master the mechanics of threading a needle." Sanjay wailed. John snorted, and did it for him.

They had spent the entire afternoon making popcorn garlands. And eating more popcorn than they actually strung. Twice they'd had to pop more, because Matt insisted that two garland strands was simply not enough.

Not a single one of them escaped the needle pricks unscathed, and John was glad for the first aid kit he found in the kitchen.

"Okay, that's all the popcorn." Matt stood and gathered up several garlands. "Grab your coats and meet out front."

"This was something my mum did when she was little," Matt had explained. "Her mum always strung popcorn to hang on their Christmas tree. Once Christmas was over, they would hang the garlands on the trees outside for the birds and animals to eat."

Once they had decorated the two small pine trees out front of their residence hall, the friends stood back and admired their work.

"Beautiful!" Essie whispered.

"I feel like we should sing a carol or something," Nate laughed.

John sniffed, looked around at these new friends, and smiled. So softly they almost didn't hear him, he began singing "Yesterday." Matt elbowed him in the side and joined in. One by one the others sang along.


Monday, 23 December – Giving to the Community

"You have money for the bus?" Matt tossed John his coat.

"Yeah. Why?" Eyeing his roommate warily, John slipped his arm into the jacket.

"Just trust me." Matt shoved John from their room and locked the door.

"Famous last words," mumbled John.

The bus trip took only twenty minutes, but John had no idea where they were. He turned to ask Matt, but his friend was already trotting off down the sidewalk, as if he were on a mission. John jogged to catch up with him.

"What is this place?" John asked when Matt stopped short in front a small store front building. He pointed at a sign above the door that readCOMMUNITY OUTREACH.

"It's a soup kitchen. I called them and asked if they needed any help. They said lunch time is their busiest time." Matt shrugged, looking uncertain.

"This is brilliant, mate." With a grin, John grabbed Matt by the arm, and pulled him through the front door.


Tuesday, 24 December – Family Meal

Essie and Izzy had strung a few strands of white fairy lights in the little common area at the end of their hall, and spread a quilt out on the floor. "It's beautiful, ladies." Matt sighed with contentment as he set about emptying his back pack.

"I hope everyone likes peanut butter sandwiches and fruit," John laughed.

"Where did all of this come from?" Eyeing the odd selection, Sanjay sat on his knees.

"This one" Pointing with his thumb over his shoulder, Matt indicated John, "Hasn't been to the dining hall once since break started. Couldn't let the illustrious John Watson die of starvation, now could I?"

Everyone laughed, and John put his hands up in defeat. "In my defense, I did warn you that last year and the year before, all I did when I stayed was sleep. And, when you brought food back to the room the very first day, well, you showed your hand early, didn't you?"

There was laughter all around once more, except for Essie, who had taken a seat on the floor next to Sanjay. She worried her bottom lip with her teeth. "John… is this your third Christmas away from your family?" The question was asked softly, but it brought the laughter to an abrupt halt.

All eyes turned to John, who happened to be the only one still standing.

Rubbing the back of his neck, John cleared his throat. "Uhm, yeah. Oh God, how much do I want to scare you all away" John chuckled nervously. "Well, mum died when I was nine. Abusive father died when I was seventeen. Alcoholic sister is God knows where. So… yeah. Nowhere else to go."

Matt and Nate both cursed softly. Matt looked up at John, brow creased, sympathetic anger burning in his eyes. Sanjay stared in surprise, working his jaw, but not sure what to say. Izzy and Essie exchanged a look, and were up in an instant, surrounding him with a hug.

"So when you said you didn't really have any Christmas traditions…" Matt stood slowly.

"With the exception of the fairly typical drunken rages provided by my father, no, we didn't have any traditions. Nothing to celebrate, really. No Birthdays, no awards ceremonies, nothing like that." John shrugged, and chuckled. "But I could get use to this kind of celebration," he put one arm around Izzy and the other around Essie, and grinned rakishly.

"Oi! Cheeky." Izzy playfully smacked his face as Essie pulled him over to sit next to her on the floor.

"John… I don't…" Matt still stood, hands hanging to his sides. "I'm sorry, mate. I didn't know…"

"You didn't know because I didn't tell you, Matt. C'mon, sit down. And don't look at me like that, I've been here three years, and you guys," gesturing around the circle, John smiled, "are the only ones I've ever told." John leaned forward and reached into the pile of food to retrieve a plain bagel and packets of peanut butter and strawberry jam. "So, we gonna eat, or what?"

"Wait…" Essie pulled him back to sitting. "Why, John?"

"Because I'm starving?" John shoved a too large bite of dry bagel in his mouth in the hopes of avoiding more questioning.

"Uhm," Sanjay cleared his throat. "John, I think she's asking, why us? Why would you tell us?" Essie nodded in agreement.

"Yeah, I mean, we've only known each other a few days, and after this, who knows if we'll even see each other again. I'm going back to the States after this year is up." Shifting his position on the floor, Nate ducked his head to avoid eye contact. Izzy pulled him into an awkward side hug.

"Well," rubbing the back of his neck, John looked around the circle. "This is supposed to be a Christmas Eve family dinner, yeah? Looks to me like I'm sitting here with the only family I have at the moment, and if you can't tell your deepest, darkest secrets to family, who can you tell them to?" A crimson blush spread over John's face.

"Dear God," Matt gasped dramatically, having recovered his sense of humor. "And here I thought I was going to teach you how to do Christmas. Deep, dark secrets being revealed at dinner is the most time honored of all the time honored traditions."

"It's true," Izzy laughed. "It transcends generations, religious and political beliefs, everything." The others all nodded in agreement.

"So, what comes next then?" John laughed.

"Well, if memory serves," Matt drummed his fingers on his chin, as if in deep thought, "there's either supposed to be a screaming match, or a lot of hugging." Matt shrugged, "seems to me you've probably had enough of the fighting, so that only leaves one thing…"

"Oh God." John slowly began scooting back from the group. "No. Please…"

"Dog pile!" Nate shouted as Matt launched himself across the quilt at John, resulting in a massive heap of entirely too many knees and elbows, a lot of cursing and name calling, and uncontrollable giggling.

"Are you trying to kill me?" gasping for air from the bottom of the jumble (which rivaled any scrum he'd ever lined up for), John tried unsuccessfully to squirm his way free. "Happy Christmas, or whatever the hell this is, guys."


Wednesday, 25 December – Giving Gifts

The family dinner quickly devolved into an impromptu food fight. Tired out from laughing and rough housing, the little makeshift family spent the subsequent hours sprawled out on the floor sharing stories and secrets.

For all the times John had poured his heart out to Harry as a child, he never knew family held the potential to be so heart achingly open and forgiving. It was simultaneously the most beautiful and the most overwhelming evening of John's life.

It was just after three in the morning when the friends cleaned up the destruction left from their dinner and had all headed to their own rooms. John stood in the middle of his room, staring at nothing in particular, considering the events of the evening when his thoughts were interrupted.

"Ready?" With a grin Matt pulled two large shopping bag from the closet.

"Yes!" John grinned enthusiastically, his contemplative mood quickly gave way to childlike excitement. "I've never been able to do something like this before."

"C'mon then. But be quiet!" Matt whispered. He handed John one of the bags and led the way into the hall.

After they had gone to work at the community outreach center, Matt suggested they stop at the second-hand shop across the street. As they perused the shelves, an idea solidified, and the two quickly counted out their available funds.

They'd found out which rooms were occupied, and by how many people. Using their limited allowance, the friends picked a large variety of items, one for each of their hall-mates. They'd found super hero and soldier action figures, model cars and trains, stuffed animals of all kinds, jump ropes, a few rubik's cubes, and an assortment of other games and toys. Not to mention a few specific items for their new friends.

And John had no idea why, but Matt purchased a dozen neck ties, all in varying degrees of hideousness. "You'll see," Matt had laughed and let it go.

When the shop proprietor questioned them about what they were up to, she smiled warmly and went a bit misty in the eyes. When she told them their balance due, which was less by half than what they'd figured, they had tried to argue with her. "I'll have none of that!" She'd declared. "You two boys are absolutely precious, and this is my gift to you. What you're doing is lovely, and I want to help."

They quickly set about their task, propping toys, adorned by bows supplied by the owner of the shop, against each door. For Sanjay and Nate they left a set of toy dart guns, with an abundance of foam ammunition (John and Matt had bought a set for themselves as well). For Essie they left a small teddy bear, but around its neck was a small silver necklace with a pendant that read courageous. For Izzy, to his utter amazement, John had quite accidentally found "Abbey Road" on CD - the case was cracked, but the CD was scratch free.

They collapsed onto their beds and shared a few moments of companionable silence.

"Here." John sat up and handed Matt a simply wrapped gift. "It's not much… But, it's my favorite. It's…" John stammered and rolled his eyes. "Just open it."

Matt unceremoniously ripped off the paper, and found a slightly worn, but otherwise lovely hardback edition of "The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe." Matt grinned. "My mum read this to me when I was little, but I never had my own copy. I love it. Thanks, mate." Matt rolled off his bed and retrieved a messy bundle from his desk drawer. "Sorry about the wrapping…"

John took the bundle and laughed as the paper practically fell off on its own accord. It was a mug. He turned it over to reveal the RAMC logo printed there. He gasped and looked up at Matt.

"I think going into the army is… incredibly stupid." Matt blushed, and John huffed a laugh. "But I get it. Especially now that I know… things. And… well, I think you're probably the bravest, strongest person I've ever met. God, John. Everything…" Matt shook his head. "Sorry, just, you really arebloody brilliant, and you've not just tolerated my crazy the past few days, but embraced and encouraged it. I just, really respect you… and…"

"And you're my biggest fan, and can't we please, oh please, be best friends for ever?" John laughed with a wink.

Matt laughed and dropped down onto his own bed. "Yeah, something like that."

"You're stuck with me now, Matt." John grinned and raised his new mug. "Cheers, mate."

"Happy Christmas, John."


Thursday, 26 December – The Nutcracker

None of them had ever seen "The Nutcracker." Matt had come the closest, as his mum watched it on the telly every year, but he had lost interest after the first few minutes the first time he tried to watch it, and had never tried again.

"It's a ballet," offered Essie with a shrug.

"I'm out!" Nate turned to leave. Matt and Sanjay pulled him back.

"What's the story?" John asked.

"Well, I remember there's a girl, and she gets a toy soldier as a gift. And then there's something about the toy soldier fighting a battle against a giant rat and his army. There might be a princess or fairy or something too." Matt scrunched up his face.

"John should be the soldier," Essie nodded resolutely. He shrugged in response.

"And Essie's the princess," Izzy smiled sweetly and kissed her cheek. The boys simultaneously made gagging noises.

"I still don't get it." Nate shook his head.

"It's a thing that people do. It's tradition, so we have to! We'll just… Make it up as we go along. Izzy, you be the girl. Nate, you wanna be the rat king? Sanjay and I will be your army." Matt pulled out his toy dart gun.

"Wait. Wait just a minute." Izzy put up her hands and laughed. "So, this is basically your excuse to launch a Nerf war?" Matt blinked innocently. "Of course it is. Whatever." She shook her head.

"There's dancing too… You girls like that, right?" Matt winked. "You both get to dance with golden boy, how's that?"

"Not gonna happen," John turned and dashed from the common area. He made it to the stairwell before the rat king and his minions caught up and dragged him back, kicking and cursing.

"You will dance with my girlfriend, and you will like it," Essie had assumed her princess-fairy-whatever persona, and stood before John with her hands on her hips. She stomped once to punctuate her point.

"Yes, your majesty," John mumbled in abject obedience.

They didn't know what music was appropriate, so Izzy started singing "Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds," and everyone thought that was brilliant, so they let her sing it sweet and clear as she and Toy Soldier John spun, stumbled, and giggled around the room.

As soon as the dance ended, before either could regain their equilibrium, the rat king's army descended and captured Izzy away from John, pulling her behind two sofas they'd pushed together. John ducked behind an armchair as a volley of foam darts rained down on him. He fired back, but was quickly running out of ammunition.

Essie crawled up beside him. "You have to save her!" She commanded.

"I'm a little outnumbered here, if you can't tell…" John grunted as he fired a few rounds and then dropped back behind the chair.

"You're the soldier, come up with a plan!"

"I'm thinking!" John hissed as a dart just barely missed him. "Listen to those idiots carrying on over there. All we need is a good… Oh! I know what to do!"

"What?" Essie clapped her hands with excitement.

"A distraction." John checked his gun. All he needed was three rounds. "This is a ballet, and you are an enchanted… whatever… after all. Just, follow my lead, okay?" With that John started singing "All You Need is Love."

Essie covered her mouth with her hands and giggled. John motioned to her, and she started singing along. After a few moments, the enemy ceased their attack.

"What is this sorcery?" Cried the rat king.

John looked over the armchair and saw the rat army looking back at him. He held out his hand to Essie, and they stood slowly, and began to dance along to their singing, twirling out to the middle of the battle field. Sanjay broke character and laughed outright, but Nate and Matt maintained their fierce glares. John and Essie sang at the top of their lungs, and twirled nearer enemy lines. At the last moment, John pulled his gun out, and mid-twirl fired three darts directly at the foreheads of the three rats.

There was stunned silence for a moment, and then the three slaughtered rats and the captive Izzy stood to their feet and cheered. Grinning broadly, John and Essie took their bow.


Friday, 27 December – Christmas Film Night

"They don't have to be holiday themed films," Matt assured the group. "I know not everyone likes them. But we always had a night where we would marathon watch Christmas films. It's fun. And I swiped a bunch of biscuits from the dining hall, since ours didn't turn out."

"A film night sounds fun. I vote for The Princess Bride! I've got it in the room!" Essie grinned.

"Anybody have any Monty Python?" Matt asked.

"Life of Brian or Holy Grail? I've got both," Nate offered.

"Both!" John and Izzy cried in unison.

"I haven't seen any of those," Sanjay shrugged. The group gasped in amazement. "I guess I'm getting an education this evening." He laughed. "I do have a copy of Psycho though."

"Oh my God, yes! I haven't seen that in forever!" Matt clapped Sanjay on the back.

"Those are all great, but I actually do have a Christmas film I think we ought to start the evening off with. It's actually one of my favorites ever." John spoke softly, commanding control of the room.

"Yeah... Of course. Sure thing, John." Matt stammered at the sudden change in John's tone. John stood to walk to their room, and the others watched him in silence. He was back in a moment, and was careful to keep the title hidden.

"Thanks guys. This means a lot. If you haven't seen it, I'm sure you'll like it." He smiled sheepishly as he queued the video up and pushed play.

Matt figured it out first and burst out laughing. "You git! You really had us going there! Die Hard? Die Hard is your go-to, sentimental Christmas film?" He threw a cushion at John's head.

John ducked with a laugh. "Yippee ki yay…"


Saturday, 28 December - The Christmas Story

John lay on the floor, reading aloud from his copy of "The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe." His new found friends lounged about the common area, lazy and content, sipping away at tea and cocoa. He turned down the corner of the page, put the book down beside him, and leaned up on his elbows. "That's chapter two. I need a break. Anyone else wanna read? Or have something else to read?"

"I've read that a dozen times, but there's just something about hearing it read by one of you Brits that really brings it to life for me," Nate laughed from his spot curled up in the armchair. "Sorry, John, I vote you keep at it."

"Your family really does this every year, Matt?" Sanjay stretched out on a sofa.

"Well, not necessarily this book every time, but other stories, yeah." Matt nodded. He lay on his back with his feet propped up high on the wall.

"Hanukkah is all about telling stories," Essie added from her spot curled next to Izzy on the other sofa.

"Well, John if you're tired of reading that, I can read some out of this," Izzy waved a smutty historical novella at him.

"Pass!" He laughed. "Thanks, though. I just need a little break."

A small voice from just outside the common area spoke in Mandarin. Everyone turned to look in the direction of the voice. The petite girl, held something in her hands, and with a tremulous voice, repeated herself in English. "A good book is a good friend." She ducked her head, but then looked back at them sheepishly.

"You… You want to join us?" John sat up. "We're just laying around and I'm reading." He held up his book. The girl took a few steps closer.

"Are… are you John?" The girl blushed, and John nodded with a smile. "And is Matt here too?"

"That's me!" Matt jumped up awkwardly, stumbled, and stuck his hand out to shake hers.

She looked up at him warily, then to John, and then down to the item she held in both hands. It was pink Care Bear with a rainbow on the front. She gripped it tightly, but held it out for them to see. "You did this. Why?"

John stood slowly to his feet and looked at Matt. "Uhm… We thought it would be fun?" Matt shrugged. The girl stared at him blankly.

"We, uhm… We know not everyone celebrates Christmas. But, everyone is away from their family right now, and we thought it might be nice if people knew someone cared about them." John added.

"Yeah, that." Matt nodded at John.

"We didn't mean to offend you." John smiled. "You… you don't have to keep if you don't…"

"No! No, I love it…" The girl pulled the bear to her chest. "I just… I've been here two years, and no one has ever given me a gift before." She looked from John to Matt with a small smile. "Thank you." With no warning, she threw her arms around John's neck in a tight hug, and then hugged Matt.

"Heh." Matt blushed. "You… You're welcome. You wanna… join us?"

"I always hear you all having so much fun. Have you known each other long?" She sat carefully on the floor, still hugging her bear. John sat cross legged in his old spot, and Matt resumed his position near the wall.

"We've known each other for about a year now," Izzy answered, as she and Essie both slid off the couch to sit on the floor. "I'm Izzy, and this is Essie. But we only met the rest of these idiots when break started. It's nice to have another female joining us."

"I'm Nate, and that's Sanjay. We just met everyone when break started too." Nate offered as he rolled out of the armchair a sprawled out on the floor.

"Hi!" Sanjay added as he attempted to stand, but tripped over his own feet crashed to the floor. Without checking to see if he was okay, the others laughed raucously. The new girl covered her mouth and giggled.

"Sorry. I shouldn't laugh. I don't really know any of you. Sorry, Sanjay. Are you okay?" The girl ducked her head again.

"Pfft. He's fine, aren't ya Sanj?" Matt waved his hand dismissively at Sanjay.

"I'm fine, no thanks to you, Matt." Sanjay snapped, though he was grinning.

"Well, I'm Jiayi… but no one ever gets that right, so everyone calls me Joey." Jiayi waved her hand slightly.

"Would you rather people call you Ja… Jiy… Jiayi… Oh bloody hell. Sorry." John blushed and buried his face in his hands.

With a giggle, Jiayi shook her head emphatically. "Call me Joey. Please." John groaned, eliciting uncontrollable laughter from his friends.

"Well, Joey, you've made John uncomfortable." Izzy grinned. "Welcome to the family. You're one of us now."


Sunday, 29 December – Game Night

"You have to do it. It's a dare." John mimicked as he stomped along the footpath. He came to a sudden stop and turned on Matt. "This is your fault."

"Wha… Why is it my fault? You're the one who took the dare, I'm just here for moral support!" Matt huffed indignantly.

"When you said game night, I thought you meant Cluedo, or Monopoly, or poker. Something like that!" John crossed his arms over his chest in a pout.

"Nobody had any board games!"

"Charades, then!"

"The girls wanted to play Truth or Dare. I couldn't say no… I'm a little bit scared of Izzy." Matt pulled a face of mock terror.

John snickered. "Really? Because I'm pretty sure Essie's the crazy one." With that, he frowned, turned, and continued to stomp off toward the medical sciences building.

"John? John, what are you going to do? There's no way you're getting in there." Matt jogged up next to him.

"They dared me to find something gross. Do you know how easy that is? Wonderfully nonspecific. You're the one who mentioned it should be something from one of the labs. So here we are." John motioned broadly to the building looming ahead of them.

"But how are you getting in there? It's break, and late. Security's probably not even in there!" Matt shrugged as he followed John around the side of the building.

"That's what I'm counting on." John huffed as he continued his march around to the back of the building. Scanning the darkened area, he approached the skip next to the locked maintenance shed. There was a low ledge just above the roof of the shed, and it ran just underneath a row of windows.

Checking once more to make sure no one was around, John pulled himself up onto the skip, and climbed up to the roof of the shed.

"John!" Hissed Matt. "What are you doing? Get down! Have you lost your mind?"

"Third window is Professor Kirk's office. It's always too hot in there, and he opens it all the time. Forgets to latch the lock." John grunted as his foot slipped a few inches. He caught himself and balanced just in front of the ledge.

"What? Have you done this before?"

"Left part of a presentation I was working on in the lab last year. Had to get it, security wouldn't let me in. " John shrugged. "You coming?"

Matt cursed under his breath. "Everyone thinks I'm crazy. It's always the quiet ones. Always." Matt pulled himself up on the skip, balancing precariously. "That thing safe?" He pointed to the roof of the shed.

"Enough, I guess." John shrugged and carefully climbed up onto the ledge.

"That really looks more decorative than weight bearing." Matt laughed nervously.

"What, you're friends with Sanjay, and suddenly you're an engineer now? Nate teach you a few things about architecture?" John snipped as he stood up slowly.

"No, no. Just… looks a little precarious." Matt shuddered as he crawled along the roof of the shed.

"Oh my God, you're afraid of heights." John barked a laugh. "Just get down. I can manage without you."

"You… You sure?" Matt had already started backing down toward the skip.

"Yeah, I'm sure. This won't take long." John scooted glacially along the ledge.

"John? John, someone's coming!" Matt hissed. "John, I think the guard is coming. I saw a light."

"Shut up, and get down then. Don't draw any attention!" John whispered, and kept inching forward. Matt reached over and grabbed John's ankle. "Don't you dare. Are you trying to kill me?" John hissed and tried to shake Matt's hand off.

"This is stupid. C'mon John. Just stop it." Matt tugged a little harder at John's leg.

"I swear to God, I will kill you if you make me fall, Matt. Do not test me." John kicked back swiftly and promptly lost his balance. Matt watched helplessly as John grabbed to hold on, and then fell back onto the skip. He sighed in relief when the impact didn't cause the lid of the skip to give way.

And then John groaned.

"John… Oh God. John, are you hurt? I'm sorry. SO Sorry. You can hate me forever... Just, let me get you help, yeah?" Forgetting his fear, Matt scrambled off the shed and ran to the side of the skip to be near John's head. "Can you move? Maybe you shouldn't move. I'll get an ambulance." Matt turned to run for help, but John grabbed him by the collar of his coat and yanked him back.

"I can move, just winded. Dislocated left shoulder. Thank you so much." John sat up slowly, and with a cry of pain slid down off the skip. "And don't worry, I won't hate you forever." Matt grinned at him. "Because when I can use my arm again, I'm going to murder you."

"Oh." Matt flinched when John turned suddenly, despite being a bit wobbly. "Hey, where are you going? We need to take care of that shoulder!"

"They dared me to bring back something gross. Watching you pop this back in should suffice, yeah?" John winced in pain as he stumbled along.

Matt laughed. "Sorry, mate. But yeah, I think that'll do it. I have to admire your dedication to the game." He stepped up to John's right side and put his arm around John's back for support. "Can you hold that arm against you until we get there? Keep it still?"

"Yes, doctor." John rolled his eyes and groaned again. "And just so we're clear, I win."

"I don't think Truth or Dare actually has a winner."

"Don't care. I win."

"Whatever you say. Idiot."


Monday, 30 December – Sledding

"Sledding." Matt grinned as he held up two plastic trays he'd managed to liberate from the dining hall. He'd gathered everyone together at the hill behind the residence hall.

Joey laughed. "Matt, there's no snow. Doesn't it have to snow to go sledding? I've never been, but I'm pretty sure…"

Matt waved her off. "Nah! It's been raining for days! The ground is nice and soft…"

"You mean muddy." Sanjay peered dubiously down the hill.

"Same thing." Matt shrugged. "Look, these trays are plastic, they'll slide perfectly on the wet… and mud… It's practically the same thing."

"I'm in!" John took one of the trays.

"Oh no you don't!" Essie snatched the tray and spun out of John's reach. "I still haven't forgiven you for your little adventure in idiocy last night. No bloody way are you doing this. You're in a sling!"

"See, I told you," John looked at Matt and pointed at Essie. "Crazy one."

Izzy coughed to try to cover her laughter. "You're not wrong!"

"C'mon you guys! It'll be fun!" Matt tossed a tray on the ground and sat on it, pulling his knees toward his chest. "Nate? Sanj? C'mon!"

"Ah, I think this one's a failure, bud. Sorry, Matt." Nate shrugged and turned toward the footpath. Joey and Sanjay followed after him.

"Guys, c'mon. Don't be like that!"Matt started scooting, a little at time, toward the slope.

"John may have forgiven you, but I haven't. I'm not going to let you hurt anyone else." Essie commanded.

"Yes, your majesty," Matt mock bowed from his seated position.

"Oh, just shove off" Essie laughed and pushed his shoulder playfully. The shove was just enough to send Matt's tray over the edge. He quickly lost his grasp on the tray and was sliding down the hill in the mud on his backside. He shouted something almost unintelligible back at them, which sent John into hysterics.

"What? Oh God, it was an accident!" Essie turned to John, her eyes wide.

John watched his roommate roll to a stop at the bottom of the hill. He jumped up, pumped both fists in the air and shouted again. This time both Izzy and John nearly collapsed against each other in laughter. "He'll be fine!" John gasped. "I can't… I…" He fought to catch his breath, and winced when he jarred his shoulder.

"It's not funny!" Essie shoved John's good shoulder and grabbed Izzy's hand to pull her up the path.

"Yes. It really is. It's quite hysterical, actually." John giggle-snorted, and lost control again.

Struggling up the hill, covered head to toe in mud and clumps of grass, Matt paused to catch his breath, cupped his hands around his mouth, and shouted up at Essie, "As you wish!"


Tuesday, 31 December – Black Tie Event

"So, you left the planning of this one up the girls? Probably a good call. I know I'd be crap at something like this." John shrugged and winced.

"Shoulder still hurting?" Matt glanced back at him from his place in front of the mirror in their room.

"Not too bad. But I know me, and it's for the best if I leave it in the sling another day or two." John smirked. "How's your face?"

"Eh, I've had worse." Matt leaned in and inspected the turf burn he'd gotten on the right side of his face. "It's a good story though. I can't wait to tell it. The guys definitely aren't going to believe any of this." He turned to John. "I actually got to scream 'as you wish' when a crazy-princess-fairy-whatever pushed me down a hill. Oh my God, they are never going to believe this!" Matt was completely giddy.

"You know, I'm not sure I believe you actually have guys." John laughed when Matt whipped a towel at him and missed.

"Like you're so popular."

"Weeelll… I do happen to have a fan club it seems. I had this roommate once, just drooling all over himself the second I walked in the room…" John winked and ducked as a shoe was aimed at his head.

"That guy sounds like a real idiot." Matt pulled a face in the mirror.

"Yeah, that's what I thought too." John grinned broadly. "That's a nice tie, by the way."

Someone had probably thought it was nice at one time. It had definitely seen better days. Matt turned and showed off his ensemble. He was wearing the stained, lime green and orange plaid bow tie, a black t-shirt printed to look like the front of a tuxedo, black jeans, and black Converse. He strutted to the middle of the room like a model, and did a little twirl. John whistled and catcalled.

"You need help with your tie?" Matt pointed at the long tie hanging loose around his neck.

"If you don't mind, that be great. Thanks."

A moment later John was checking his reflection in the mirror. The tie wouldn't have been too awful, it was light blue with a large silver, olive green and navy paisley print… Okay, it was fairly awful. The whole thing made worse by the plaid pattern running behind the paisley print. John wore the tie with grey t-shirt that, if he were a vain man, he would have admitted fit just right, a black zip up hoodie, navy jeans, and his tatty old trainers, since he hadn't planned to need anything nicer when he'd thrown his stuff in a duffle on moving-in day.

There was a knock on their door and Matt reached to open it. He looked John up and down, and shook his head. "It's not fair. Even in a sling and smelly old trainers, you could make anything look good."

"You're not helping your case, weirdo." John laughed.

"You guys ready?" Nate stepped into the room. He was wearing a bright pink bow tie with a grey jumper, khakis, and cowboy boots, along with his coat. Sanjay stepped in wearing a long red tie with green and white polka-dots over his deep burgundy colored kurta, black trousers, black dress shoes, and his jacket.

"Looking rather dapper there, gentlemen." John grinned. "Shall we?" He turned to Matt who was buttoning up a dark grey cardigan. Matt nodded and motioned for the others to lead the way, he grabbed the little bag sitting on John's desk, and they trooped up the rooftop.

"Oh… Wow…" John gasped as they stepped out into the cold night. Izzy, Essie and Joey had picked a corner of the rooftop and had strung strands of white fairy lights and silver garland everywhere. They'd cut snowflakes and stars out of white and silver paper and had them dangling from some of the lights and garland.

Matt whistled low. "The place looks amazing, ladies. As do you!" He looked at John, who nodded, and held up the little bag he'd brought. "John and I made these for you. Well, mostly I made them, because the big baby can't do anything one handed."

John punched Matt in the arm, and reached into the bag. They'd taken some of the extra ties and twisted them into little rosettes and made wrist corsages. He pulled out the red and white one. "For Joey, I think." She was wearing a red jumper with black leggings and black boots. John held it still for her and they giggled together as the two of them tried to each tie it one handed.

"We'll be here all night if we let John do this." Matt shook his head. He pulled out a blue one and smiled at Izzy. "I guess this one is yours!" She was dressed all in black, with the exception of her bright blue scarf.

"Oh my God, you guys. These are amazing. You are incredible." Izzy admired the corsage and smiled.

"And for her majesty," Matt winked and Essie punched him as he pulled out a pink and yellow corsage. "The tie was hideous, but it made some nice flowers, I think." It matched her pink jumper just fine. Matt noticed she was wearing the necklace he and John had bought her.

"I really am sorry," Essie whispered, and Matt just laughed as he tied the corsage on her wrist. "Forgive me?"

"As you wish." He winked at her, and she punched him again.

"All right, that's enough, you two." Joey laughed. "Look, we've got food that Matt stole from the dining hall." They all laughed at bagels, biscuits, and fruit. "There are some sodas from the vending machine… try to save the ginger ale for midnight, because we were too poor to buy champaign. But at least we found some glasses to drink it out of."

Sanjay nudged Nate forward. "Actually, Sanj and I scraped together our cash and…" He pulled a bottle from his coat. A collective cheer rose from the group.

The night was cold and crisp, the clouds had cleared away and the stars shone brightly.

Mostly the friends just huddled together and laughed and talked about nothing in particular. They ate the food they were all sick and tired of, and laughed at Matt's expense and the fact that the older ladies who worked in the dining hall all clearly fancied him. Of course that was the only reason he got away with any of it.

Just before midnight, they poured their champaign and huddled around John's watch to see the seconds tick by. At the stroke of midnight, they raised a toast. Izzy kissed Essie and there were a lot of enthusiastic claps on the back and awkward hugs, and quick pecks on the cheek.

Essie asked Izzy if she wanted to dance, and if she would please sing "Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds" again. The request was so sweet, Izzy nearly melted, and agreed immediately.

As the girls twirled around the rooftop, John stepped next to Joey. "I uhm, I'm a terrible dancer… And I only have one good arm… But do you wanna…" She grinned up at him and nodded.

They laughed because she was just as terrible as he was, and she even had two good arms. The spectacle was so ridiculous, the sweetness of Izzy and Essie's dance was lost when Izzy couldn't be bothered to stop laughing long enough to keep singing, and Essie somehow managed to trip over both John and Joey.

By the end of their evening, they were all frozen through, and exhausted. They divided the work of cleaning up, and made a short job of it.

"Look!" Sanjay pointed to the horizon. There was a thin line glowing golden. "Sunrise!"

John took the lead, and walked to the edge of the roof. Sitting carefully on the low ledge that ran all the way around, he swung his legs out over the side of the building to watch. Matt soon joined him on his right, and Essie on his left. Joey sat next to Matt, Nate on her right, and Sanjay to Izzy's left. They sat in silence as they watched the bright new day, the first day of the new year, burn away the remnants of the old.

"God, this is perfect." John whispered. "Really," he bumped his shoulder against Matt's. "Everything about this break has been perfect. Thanks, mate. Best Christmas I ever had."

Matt only nodded and smiled. "Happy New Year, John."