Good morning friends! It's Christmas Eve! Do you open your presents on the 24th or the 25th? We are getting them tonight, so I'm excited! But, growing older, I'm starting to enjoy Christmas for the time spent with the family more than the excitement of presents - 2020 sure helped with that as well.

Please enjoy the last piece of this calendar!

Kairi had been enjoying some time with her family when Sora asked her out, out of the blue.

"Hey, Kairi, do you want to go to the ball with me?"

"The ball?" It was the first time she heard about that event. But of course, if she had to go with someone to a ball, Sora would always be her first choice.

"Yeah, the ball!" he repeated with an excited grin. "It's planned tonight on our island, to celebrate us all being here! I know it's a very short notice, but…"

"It's fine," Kairi said, smiling back. "I'd love to go with you."

"Perfect! I'll pick you up at 8, so that we can go together? Be sure you have an adequate outfit," he added with a wink, and she chuckled, her mind racing, trying to think of what to wear. "I'll see you then!" he waved at her and ran off to whatever business he had.

Kairi felt like dancing already. A ball. She had attended some in other worlds, but very few, and she had loved every second of them. Having Sora formally invite her to one was like a dream come true.

"Mum, do you think you could help me with my hair?" she asked as soon as she was home, explaining the whole situation to her parents. Who, between her and her mother, was the most excited, it was hard to tell. She chose a lovely pink dress she bought not too long ago, and she took her phone out. Of course she would have to call them.

"Good afternoon, Kairi!" Naminé's voice was a melody of its own, and she beamed at Kairi, truly happy to chat with her best friend.

"Why, hello ladies! What are you up to on this beautiful day?" While it was Xion's phone, the voice was clearly Axel's. Xion's shy voice could be heard in the background. "Axel, leave my phone alone! And leave this room! This is a girls' talk, no boys allowed!"

"Fine, fine, I'll be taking my LEA-ve then! Got it? My lea-"

"Axel, leave them alone!" Roxas chuckled and his face appeared on screen. "Hello girls! Sorry about him, I'll take him far away, I promise! See you later!" Xion's face finally appeared as Roxas could be seen in the background pushing Axel out of the room. Xion laughed, her eyes gleaming.

"Sorry about that, we were playing cards - and Axel was cheating. It's been a while, how are you?"

"Well, apparently, there's a ball in Destiny Island tonight, and Sora asked me to be his partner!" She showed them the dress she had planned to wear, and they discussed which makeup would go well with it, and they spent the whole afternoon on the phone as Kairi was getting ready, her mother braiding her hair, until she looked absolutely beautiful and the time was up. Someone rang at the door, and she had to say goodbye to her friends who wished her all the best.

Kairi had never been quite exigent. She loved people as they were and never set any high expectations on them. But when she saw Sora at the door, wearing his usual puffy trousers and his usual black jacket and - really, his usual everything, she couldn't help but feel a hint of disappointment in her heart. She supposed she had given more importance to the event than he had. She still smiled at him warmly, and he smiled back, looking a bit puzzled.

"Kairi, you look absolutely beautiful! Is that the best outfit to… No, never mind. You know what works for you. Anyway, you do look like a princess, even more than usual! Shall we go?"

She felt her cheeks burning. He thought she was overdressed. The ball was nothing more than a casual party with his friends for him, and she had put too much meaning in his words, she understood now. But she would remain dignified, and if she was the only one wearing a pretty dress and pretty makeup and a pretty hairstyle, then so be it. She would still have fun. She took his arm and followed him to the boat, letting him row alone as part of her sweet and petty revenge for not at least wearing decent shoes.

They were welcomed on the familiar beach by their childhood friends: Tidus, Wakka and Selphie. They waved at them, and Tidus let out his signature laugh, followed by Sora.

"So are you ready for the game of your life?"

"The game?" Kairi tilted her head, confused. There was no one on the beach but the five of them. Where was the party?

"Sora didn't tell you? We're playing blitzball tonight!"

"Blitz….ball." Ball. She cursed under her breath. She should have asked Sora more details about the rumoured ball. No, actually, he should have given her more information! She was rather certain she wasn't at fault in the misunderstanding. "Well, I think he omitted a few things when asking me to come with him," she chuckled, wondering what was the best way to get rid of Sora's body. She probably could get him trapped in the Timeless River for a few days. See how well he fared with the Hot Rods. "I'm sorry, I feel like indeed," she shot a glare at Sora, "my outfit is not the best one for a game. Would you mind giving me a bit of time to get changed?"

"I brought an extra set of sports clothes if you'd like them," Selphie offered with a kind smile. "Come with me." She took Kairi by the hand, leading her to the door that gave access to the other side of the island. Before pushing the door, she turned to her friend.

"I'm really sorry. This was Tidus's stupid idea at first, and Sora loved it and they decided it would be fun."

"Come on, they love blitzball, I wouldn't call it a stupid idea," Kairi tried to convince herself more than Selphie, but the other girl shook her head.

"It's best if you see it for yourself." She opened the door.

Everyone was there. Their friends, from different worlds, all gathered and laughing and chatting. As if a magic spell had blocked the sound (and Kairi suspected that really happened), music reached her ears as soon as the door was opened. No one had paid them real attention yet, and Selphie sighed.

"Sora thought we should all do something fun together. He said that you'd been through stressful times and needed to relax. Then Tidus said he'd been watching a lot of prank videos that turned to be wholesome and said Sora should prank you to a fake ball, and… Well, you know how that ends now."

"So the ball is… real?"

Selphie grinned. "I'm not sure I'd call it a ball, but there's music and fancy food and pretty dresses so I guess that counts! I'll let you join them real soon, we're just waiting for…"

"Sorry I'm late!"

"...for your prince. Have fun, I need to get changed before I join you!" She winked and left, shaking her head as if she couldn't believe she played a part in such a prank.

Sora was right there, by Kairi's side. He had switched his clothes for a shirt and even a bowtie. He grinned.

"Hope you're not too angry?"

"I'll be sure to step on your toes at every dance." She had noticed Xion and Naminé were there too. The traitors. They had not said a word about it.

"Does that mean you still want to dance with me?"

"Only if asked properly."

"Kairi," Sora started, facing her and smiling warmly. "You are the most beautiful person I have met in my life, and it would mean a lot to me if you did me the honour of dancing with me." He offered his hand. "Will you?"

"A bit too much," she said, chuckling, "but fine. I shall do you the honour." She took his hand, and he guided her to the party, where people finally noticed them and grinned. Xion and Naminé bowed apologetically in the distance, but for now it didn't matter.

They danced until the moon was very high in the sky and indeed, Kairi stepped on Sora's toes countless times ; but as midnight struck, she allowed her lips to linger on his, so he assumed she wasn't that angry after all.

The end.

I wish to thank you all, who took time to read, to comment, to favourite, to follow. My heart leaps in joy at every notification I get from FFNet, and all of you were a very precious Christmas comment. More importantly, thanks to Saphir who gave me these themes, who endured my messed up ones, and who is the most patient being of them all. I hope we will be able to write yet another calendar next year as well. Until then, I might disappear for yet another long time.

Merry Christmas to all of you who celebrate, and a lovely day to all who don't!