Chapter 11 : The Season To Be Jolly

Rhine was stunned. No words could ever describe how stunned she was and what she was thinking. Evan stared at her beautiful blue-ish eyes, and walked towards her.

Oh no...

Evan stood in front of her, staring at Rhine. Rhine felt as though she was paralyzed. Evan then looked down at her necklace.

"I see...you're wearing it."

Rhine's fingers touched the surface of the seashells. Although it was rough, but Rhine felt it was smooth. Now, she finally found out who gave her the necklace which she adored..

Cold winds blew. Then... white stuff seemed to drop from the sky. It was snow. Rhine and Evan looked up, and gazed at the falling snowflakes. Inside Rhine she felt excited. She had been waiting for snow and finally it's snowing.

A snowflake that Rhine was gazing at dropped on Evan's shoulder. She looked at his face and she turned away, blushing. She can't deny the fact that his eyes are hypnotic.. that you can't escape it.

Evan lifted his arm and touched her hair. It's still soft and silky, even in cold weather like this. Rhine could bear it no more. She hugged Evan tightly. Evan's fingers were still on her hair, but he gently hugged her. Tears were already streaming down her cheeks, and Evan's shoulder was already wet from her tears. Evan gave a smile. He never smiled ever since he left the house. Even his teammates wondered why he hardly smiled.

Rhine and Evan seemed to have been hugging each other for quite some time.

"It's time now. You should go home. I'll be here, watching over you." Evan said

Rhine was rather blank. She told him, "Why don't you join us instead?"

Evan's eyes widened. He was just worried if they will be angry with him for leaving..

"Don't worry. They understood why. They won't be angry...In fact; they have been waiting for you to come back." Rhine ensured Evan.

Rhine grabbed Evan's hand and dragged him back to the house. Evan was surprised over how strong she is now compared to the last time. Looks like she did change, after all..

Rhine dragged Evan until they reached their doorstep. When she opened the door, she could see that El and Kazu were trying hard to put the tree in place, the fact that it's rather heavy. El and Kazu noticed that someone opened the door and they looked. They were surprised that Evan was next to her.

"Evan ?! Is that you?" El uttered.

"Well, of course he is !" Rhine exclaimed.

So, it seems that it is the season to be jolly.. with Evan back home, everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. When Selena and Xan got back, they were happy that Evan was finally back home.

Together, they decorated the house and the Christmas tree. Kazu and El decorated the tree while Selena and Rhine decorated the hall. Evan and Xan were scraping off snow outside though.

While Xan and Evan were scraping off the snow, Xan started a conversation.

"How is your guild anyway..?"

"Well, they treated me well but I had always longed to come back, but I couldn't. But my leader let me roam around.. Including watching over her.."

"I see... So you're the one that gave Rhine the necklace for her birthday.."

Silence..

"She likes it. She was always wearing it wherever she goes and it's like a little piece of treasure to her."

After one week, it was finally the week of Christmas. Everyone in the house is busy preparing the last minute preparations. Rhine went out to check their mailbox. It seems there is an event on the eve of Christmas. Rhine informed the rest about it.. The event is actually a countdown party.

Everyone couldn't wait for the event. On the eve of Christmas..

Everyone was getting ready for the event. As everyone headed for the door, Rhine sneaked and placed a gift under the tree.

"Rhine, come on.. Let's go!"

Rhine hurried back into the group and walked to the party, which was held in the city. A giant clock was next to the giant tree in the centre of Prontera, and the countdown is based on that time. When they reached the venue, Rhine's party and guild members were there, too. After some performances, it was about time for the countdown. Everyone was gathered round the giant clock, and started counting.

"9...8..7........6.......5....4.....3.....2.......1!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! MERRY CHRISTMAS!!"

Everyone was greeting each other and happy. Evan and Rhine hugged as they watched the starlit sky. They watched and they saw something gliding in the air.. It had sleds, and an overweight person with a big load of stuff.

"SANTA!!!" Rhine shouted.

It seems that was Santa, who's gonna leave prezzies for each home. Santa jingled his bell, and waved at everyone.

"HO! HO! HO! Merry Christmas!"

Rhine was telling something to Santa in her heart.." Thank you, Santa. You gave me my best Christmas gift...Evan..."

By the end of the month, it was time for another countdown, The New Year countdown.

"9...8...7....6....5.....4.....3....2.....1! Happy New Year!!!!"

After a lot of things that occurred, it's all kept as memories now... and may we cherish it....

What has happened? Elaine and Kaede got the job they wanted, Ultima and Nicot were still having fun, Almighty was still searching for a girlfriend, dUPPA and Evrea still remained as the cool assassins, Vicki was still the same sweet girl, Forger still acted cool even when he's broke, Stewie wanted to be a superhero, Zanza and Sum continued arguing on who's stronger, CutePriest and X-Stream were still the funny people no matter what they did, Szeto finally made a 2nd division, Hosanna remained the respected fella, Shinja (used to party with Rhine and the others) was still the fun guy..

A year has just passed by

May we say goodbye

And keep its sweet and bitter memories

In a box of time

And welcome a new journey; an obstacle

And live through it

Time after time
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JaN : R n R plz!! I'll be creating another fanfic soon though, so stay in touch ya! Ok, thx for "waking" me up white tiger rage! I actually had no more ideas though...so, I'll continue the fic...wahahahahaha....Arigato!! Chappie 12 comin up!