The party was in full swing by the time Emma and I made it to the living room. I clung onto the stair railing, trying to steady myself. The last time I walked in heels was at my father's funeral, which was seven months ago. That wasn't supposed to be a depressing statement, just letting you know that I have not walked in a pair of heels for a long time. As I reached the bottom step, I began tugging at the red sleeves of my knit dress, trying my best to hide Luke's present. I walked over the the christmas tree by the piano and looked over my shoulder, making sure he wasn't around. The coast was clear so I pulled out the small present and hid it behind all the other presents. I hoped he liked it. In the short time that I've been here, Luke has become one of my best friends, besides Emma of course. We stilled teased each other relentlessly, but that is just how our friendship works.

"Well, look who finally decided to grace us with her presence," Danny said from behind me. I jumped slightly in surprise but played it off.

"It's called being fashionably late."

"To your own party?"

"It was Emma's idea."

Danny chuckled and offered his arm, which I took it gladly. He led me over to where the rest of the band was gathered, around to dessert table.

"Excuse me, but those are for after dinner," I said to Jack, whose face was stuffed with cookies. He mumbled in response, setting the cookie tray back on the table.

"You are such a pig," Tori laughed. Jack just shrugged his shoulders.

"You and Luke should become friends," I said, "Speaking of Luke, have you guys seen him?"

They shook their head no and I hummed.

"Huh. I wonder where he is," I said, more to myself than the others.

After a few more minutes, Bertram called everyone in for dinner. The dining table was filled with delicious food, from turkey to mashed potatoes, biscuits to green beans. I sat at the end of the table, in between Jack and Danny and Tori in front of me. I scanned the table and saw Luke sitting solemnly on the other side of the table. He was staring at me, his eyes seeming less friendly than usual and when he realized I noticed, he looked away. I sighed and turned back to my friends, still thinking about his weird behavior.


Dinner was definitely a highlight of the evening. It was filled with laughter, joy and great food. We moved from the dining room into the screening room. I took off my heels and laid out on the chairs, my legs stretched out half across the armrest and half on Danny's lap. Tori's head was on my shoulder and Jack was sitting in the second row, like the loner he was. We started watching The Polar Express, one of my favorite holiday movies, and Emma, Zuri, and Ravi joined us. Warm, fuzzy blankets were draped over all of us. Then the hot chocolate scene came on. For those of you who have never seen polar express,I'll try to sum it up as best as I can: a young boy begins having doubts about Santa Claus on Christmas Eve, and starts to believe he isn't real. Then a giant train shows up in his neighborhood called the 'Polar Express'. The train takes you to the North Pole and lets you meet Santa Clause. And there's a scene on the train where everyone gets hot chocolate. It's a whole singing and dancing number. Anyway, when that scene came on, everyone began craving hot chocolate.

"I want hot chocolate."

"Yeah, me too."

"Me three."

"Who's going to get it?" Tori asked.

"One, two, three, nose goes," Jack cried out and suddenly, everyone's hands flew to their nose. Unfortunately, my reflexes were too slow. They all looked at me and I knew there was no way of getting out of this.

"You guys suck," I grumbled as I sat up from my very comfortable position. I walked into the kitchen and took out 7 mugs, making the hot chocolate. I just finished stirring the last when I heard the door open. I looked up and saw Luke standing in the doorway.

"Hey," I said calmly.

"Hi," He replied, taking a seat at the table.

"We're watching Polar Express in the screening room, if you want to join us."

"I'm fine."

I sighed and started to load the mugs onto a tray.

"Okay, what's your problem?" I asked, stopping my actions.

"What?" He asked, turning around in his seat."

"What's your deal? You've spent all night avoiding me, and you wouldn't even look at me at dinner," I said. "Did I do something wrong? Did I say something that hurt you?"

"No, no, it's not."

"Then what is it?" I asked. Luke sighed.

"It's nothing, it's just that you and Danny and Jack and Tori are all so close and I-I guess I just feel left out."

"Luke," I said, walking over to him, "you're one of my best friends. No matter how hard I try, I could never leave you out." I grabbed his arm and pulled him out of the chair. "C'mon, you're watching the polar express whether you like it or not."

Luke stood up from his chair and looked up, his face dropping. I followed his gaze and saw a small bundle of green leaves wrapped in a red ribbon. Mistletoe. I sighed. This is so cliché. I looked back at Luke and he was beat red.

"It-it's just a stupid christmas tradition. We-we don't have to do it, if you don't want to. U-unless you want to then we could, uh, we, uh. Is it hot in here?" Luke said, airing out his face. I couldn't help but chuckle at how flustered he was. Luke looked away for a moment, and I took the opportunity to plant a kiss in his cheek.

"There," I said to Luke's shocked face, "That counts at a kiss. Now come on, we're missing the movie!" I grabbed the tray and walked into the screening room with Luke following my trail.

"Finally!" Tori said as she grabbed a mug.

"What took you so long?" Emma asked. "And why is Luke as red as a tomato?"


A hurried knock on my door woke me up. Tiredly, I got out of bed and tied my hair into a messy bun. I opened the door and saw an excited Luke standing outside of my room.

"Merry Christmas," I yawned to Luke as I walked out of my room. I pushed my glasses up and gave him a tired smile. He pulled on my arm.

"Come on! Let's open the presents!" Luke cried out. We, correction Luke, ran downstairs as I was helplessly dragged behind him. Zuri, Emma, Ravi, Jessie and Mr.& Mrs. Ross were already in the living room.

"Oh look," said Zuri, "Sleeping Beauty finally decided to wake up."

I smiled at Zuri. "Everyone needs their beauty sleep."

"Can we open presents now?" Luke asked his parents.

"Go for it," Mr. Ross said as he took another sip of his coffee. Luke dove into the present pile, grabbing the first one he could get his hands on. I chuckled and looked around, trying to find one for myself. I found one wrapped in red and white striped wrapping paper from Emma. Inside was a beautiful bracelet with a small heart charm dangling from it. Emma smiled and held up her wrist, wearing the exact same bracelet.

"It's our friendship bracelet," Emma said. I smiled and gave her a huge hug.

"Thank you so much Emma, I love it!"

I then began to open up my remaining presents. From Ravi and Mrs. Kipling, I got a copy of The Complete Adventure of Sherlock Holmes, a book which was bigger than my head. From Zuri, I got a darling jewelry holder. From Jessie, I got a necklace and a new pair of converse. From Mr. & Mrs. Ross, I got a gorgeous purse and inside, a matching wallet. And finally, from Luke, I got a signed copy of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.

"Luke, how did you get this?" I asked in shock when I opened the present.

"I have my ways." He replied, giving me a wink. I smiled and gave him a bone crushing hug.

"Thank you so much!"

Luke laughed and returned the hug. "Now, I want to open yours. Where is it?" He asked. I looked around and found it.

"There," I said, pointing to a thin red box. Luke grabbed it and opened the lid. I anxiously awaited his reaction. And I must say, I wasn't disappointed.

"CLARKE, HOW DID YOU GET THIS?!" Luke screamed as he held a copy of Unknown's new album in his hands.

"I have my ways."

"CLARKE, YOU ARE AN ANGEL SENT FROM HEAVEN ABOVE," He screamed as he tackled me. "How did you get this?" Luke asked again, "It doesn't get released till New Year's Day. And no one's leaked any tracks yet!"

"Like I said, I have my ways."

"Thank you so much!" Luke said, giving me another hug. He stared at the album like it was a newborn baby. The cover was a picture of the city skyline at night, with doodled versions of me and my bandmates flying in the sky. And in gold writing, "Somewhere in Neverland".

"Well," I said, "are you going to stare at it all day or are you going to listen to it?"

Luke looked at me and stood up. He then slouched his back.

"C'mon," He said, "since you got it for me, you deserve to listen to it too."

I stood up and jumped on his back. He carried me back to his room, where we listened to the whole album on full blast. I smiled as I watched Luke jump and dance around to the songs I worked so hard on. But then, I felt worry build up in the pit of my stomach. Would Luke be mad or upset with me when he knows who I am? Mad that I didn't tell him sooner? Would he hate me for lying to his face for so long? Luke slipping and falling on his face broke me from my thoughts. I decided to not worry about the reveal until later and just enjoy this moment right now.


It's been a minute. Please forgive me.