"Well, this is a first for Christmas eve." Brandon jokes as he sits down with hot chocolate for each of the four teens. Following the events of the previous day the four teens had all slept at Riven's house. The last of the police officers had filed out of the house after taking statements from the four teens and Flora had finally come around to the idea of pressing charges against her but the whole ordeal still has her on edge.

"I think we should find a different tradition." Flora jokes weakly earning a few chuckles from the others.

"Are you going to tell the others about what happened? About what has been happening?" Helia asks her softly, knowing there is only so long that they can keep this a secret, the others are bound to find out at some point.

"I'll call them later." The brunette responds with a soft nod of confirmation.

"How long has it been going on?" The atmosphere darkens at Riven's question, knowing the topic is far from cheerful.

"Since Miele died, a bit before that quite honestly. We'd never been as close as they were with Miele, it was all too obvious that she was their favourite. Then she got sick and it became clear that she wouldn't make it, I guess it just sent them over the edge. After all, the wrong child died."

Helia pulls his girlfriend close into him, his arms wrapping gently around her in a loving embrace as he whispers softly - yet firmly - about how what she had said wasn't true. Brandon hits Riven on the back of the head playfully.

"Ruin are fun why don't you." Brandon taunts jokingly.

"Well what else do you suggest?" Riven follows, understanding the obvious attempt at a subject change.

"Well it's Christmas eve so we need to bake cookies!" Brandon's eyes light up at his own realisation whereas Riven just looks confused, mildly concerned even.

"We what?"

"How exactly do you expect Santa to have the energy to deliver all of the presents if he doesn't have cookies to energise him?" Brandon places his hands on his hips and exaggerates his tone as if the situation was obvious. Riven stares back with a dumbfounded expression but the brown haired male has his mind made up. Helia and Flora both chuckle in amusement watching the pair bicker causing Brandon's smile to widen slightly - he had succeeded in his attempt to cheer up their friend, and they get cookies out of it!

(Divider)

The four teens gather in Riven's modernised kitchen though it was clear the space was rarely used. Riven and his mum had been on their own for quite a while and his mum was always at work, then his dad came waltzing back into their lives and thought he could buy his way back into the family. It's almost been two years and whilst his mum was forgiving he hadn't fully come around himself yet - needless to say, they weren't the type for home cooked family meals. Cooking skills do not run in the family.

Laughter grows louder as the cookie baking process commences. An array of ingredients end up across every surface but not one of the teens seem to care, too focused on the chaos of their friendship to take notice to anything else. The jade-eyed female finally thinking of something other than her parents and allowing herself to embrace the holiday and the blue haired male beside her taking note of her movements, her relaxation, determined to let her spirit continue throughout the season.

The remaining teens are too caught up in their mess of a baking attempt to notice Helia slip away from a minute and send an urgent text. Tomorrow, it's going to be THE Christmas to remember, he thinks to himself as he casually inserts himself back amongst his friends, a small smile plastered on his face

A/N Hey guys! Today's chapter is finally posted and actually on time! It's so close to be Christmas! (Half an hour until Christmas for me!) And merry Christmas to those of you in different time zones or those who are celebrating today.

I know with it being Christmas eve there may not be as many of you online and reading but I hope that those of you who are enjoyed this chapter. Thank you so much for all of you're reviews, fantastic as always and never fail to lift my spirits :) Please make sure to leave some reviews on this chapter too if you get the chance :)

Well I love you all! Until tomorrow!

- Mae xxx