It was Christmas Eve, and the cafe was hosting a holiday party. There were a variety of lights strung across the walls, fake snowflakes, and a big Christmas tree in the corner. Everyone was dressed in festive attire, Max wearing reindeer antlers and a sweater filled with bells. Kate was wearing a little sweater with a snowman on it with a little angel headband. Warren was wearing a sweater with the Star of David and a dreidel and a Santa hat. Brooke was wearing a Star Wars sweater, and Justin was wearing a custom one with holiday marijuana on it with a red and white striped Santa hat. There was a concession stand with Christmas cookies, brownies, and all the holiday treats, with a complimentary hot chocolate maker. Max looked over at Joyce who was wiping the counter. She didn't know if she could look at her the same ever again, knowing she caused so much emotional and physical pain to Chloe. But the brunette thought, from her perspective, that Joyce was a kind-hearted woman deep down and never meant to purposely cause her daughter any harm. It did seem a little far fetched, but she wanted to give people the benefit of the doubt.

"Hey, when's the tree hugger gonna get here?" Justin asked, sitting up on a table.

"I think she's the opposite of tree hugger," Warren retorted. "More like tree murderer."

"Chloe has to do her job in order for people to get trees, so don't be calling her a killer when she provides," Max protested.

"Lumberjack, more like murderjack, amirite?" Warren held up his hand for a high five from Justin.

"Shut up, Graham," the blond boy declined, leaving him hanging.

Suddenly the door burst open to Chloe, who was wearing her Santa hat and a sweater with a guitar on it. "Merry Christmas! Santa Chloe is here and ready to give out gifts!" she said cheerfully.

"Chloe, you're wearin' your hair down!" Joyce gasped. The blue-haired girl was indeed wearing her hair down, which was a first considering she always had it in a ponytail unless forced or accidentally taken out.

"Yeah, yeah, I know. It was bothering me and it itched," Chloe brushed it off, looking over at Max who was smirking. It was only a couple of days ago that she had suggested she wore her hair down, and the lumberjack may have taken the brunette's advice.

"Well I think it looks nice, and I'm sure everybody here would agree."

Chloe shot a dirty look at the photographer, who grinned sheepishly.

"No way, you actually got us gifts?" Justin said excitedly, jumping off the table.

"Some more meaningful than others, but I actually put effort this year," Chloe smirked. Last year she had given everyone expired candy, to which she was not allowed to any further holiday parties at the cafe. But she promised she would be good, getting an "Okay" from Joyce.

"Those Reeses cups had mold on them," Justin gagged at the memory.

"Alright, who wants to open presents?" Chloe announced. She opened her sack and took out a skateboard and threw it to Justin, who caught it with delight.

"No fucking way! I needed a new one! Thanks, C," he grinned.

She handed something to Brooke, who opened it with curiosity. "A drone. I've wanted one of these. Thanks, Chloe," she said with genuine gratitude.

She gave another one to Warren, who ripped it open and two games fell out. "Holy shit! The Last of Us and Pokemon Y! I love it!" He took out his Nintendo 3DS and put the cartridge in and began playing Pokemon Y.

Chloe turned to Kate, smiling big. Kate looked a bit confused since she wasn't handed anything. "Wait here," the lumberjack instructed and went back outside of the cafe. Max walked up to Kate, seemingly as befuddled as she was. "What do you think she's planning?" the Christian girl asked.

"I honestly don't know," the brunette shrugged.

Just then, Chloe came back in, simply smiling and moving out of the way to reveal a tall man with a buzzcut and camo attire. Kate's eyes widen and her mouth practically drops. Her boyfriend, Michael was standing there with his duffel bag and suitcase. "Turns out Mike was at the airport stuck in with snow, so I came and rescued him. We also know each other from JROTC," Chloe explained.

Kate cupped her hands to her mouth, speechless that he was standing right there. Michael set his bag down, walking over to her. "I was very lucky to have Chloe get me out, otherwise it woulda been a few days before I escaped."

"Mickey!" Kate squealed, jumping into his arms and sobbing. Michael hugged her back and began crying too.

Max walked over to Chloe, smiling at the two then looking at the lumberjack. "You really are a softie, Price."

Chloe glanced at her, chuckling. "I knew she was hurting over not seeing him. I went out at about eight o'clock this morning with a shovel to rescue the dude from the airport. I didn't wanna see Kate sad during the holidays, especially if she assumed the worst."

"Aw, aren't you a sweetheart," the brunette nudged her.

The two girls chuckle, then they stay silent. Max couldn't stop looking at Kate and Michael's affection. They looked so happy together still, like in high school. Chloe suddenly got up and walked away. The photographer noticed, seemingly confused, to which the blue-haired girl looked back, then smiled warmly. "Don't think I've forgotten about you."

The brunette then raised her eyebrows in curiosity. She didn't know that Chloe had gotten her anything, she didn't expect for Chloe to get her anything. They had just talked about how their friendship was enough and now a potential relationship. Secretly Max had something for Chloe too, but feigned ignorance. Chloe came back with a small box and handed it to Max. She stared at it for a few seconds before opening it gingerly. Inside was a little necklace with a doe pendant. The brunette had mentioned deer were her favorite animal when they were in the forest, so it wasn't like Chloe was a creeper. "Oh, Chloe, it's beautiful," she said in awe. "Did it cost a lot?"

"Max, don't even worry about it. All that matters is you like it," Chloe reassured.

"Like it? I love it! Chloe, this is so amazing! You really put a lot of thought into it," Max smiled.

"I'm glad."

Max put the necklace on, feeling the gold chain around her collarbone. It really was a wonderful piece of jewelry. The brunette took a box of her own, handing it to the lumberjack. Now it was Chloe's turn to be confused, as she unwrapped it to a shirt that had the periodic table shaped as a Christmas tree with it saying "Oh, Chemis-Tree" written on it. Chloe had said her favorite subject was science, particularly chemistry. When Max saw it she practically dashed for it, knowing it was two of the blue-haired girl's favorite things.

"Max this is fucking amazeballs!" she cheered. She tore off her original classic white sweater, wearing a t-shirt underneath, and put it on. Max giggled at how excited she was. "I love it!"

They could both agree they put effort into each other's gifts, staying in tune to their conversations, not letting any piece, even little, of information go. The two girls realized how much the other meant to the both, even if they had just met a week and a half ago. Maybe true love was a little far fetched, but communication can be the difference between a friendship and something more. Two troubled souls, too young to be facing what they did come together to make something not everyone experiences in life that quick.

"This has truly been the best Christmas I've ever had," Chloe said.

"I couldn't agree more." Max wrapped her arms around the lumberjack, who returned the favor, kissed her forehead and nestled in her brown locks. They stayed like that for a while, just taking in each other and not having to use words. The girls rocked back and forth for the longest time.

"Hey, no PDA, there are children in the vicinity," Justin lightly teased.

Chloe flipped him the bird and continued to cradle Max. She giggled at the blue-haired girl's impulsive behavior. "Y'know, you really need to stop that," she said in a motherly tone.

"Like you don't get a kick out of it," Chloe smirked. The brunette just buried her face further into her chest. She tucked her fingers under her Santa hat to play with the lumberjack's messy locks. As expected, it didn't go unnoticed. Chloe chuckled as Max ran her hands through it. "Happy I took your advice?"

"Very. It's so fluffy and soft," Max grinned. Chloe chuckled, seeming it was both a blessing and a curse for her to have gone ponytail-less.


It was after midnight, and they had turned on some music to dance to. Chloe, being Chloe, killed it, saying she took dance lessons when she was younger and still continues to do it. There was mistletoe passed around, with Michael and Kate sharing a quick peck, Brooke manhandling Warren in a makeout session, much to his delight, and Justin kissing his cup of punch he had in hand. It didn't get to the two girls, to which Max was kind of relieved. She did not want to kiss Chloe in public. Not yet. The brunette was still too shy and scared that people will judge her from the past. Chloe didn't care what other people thought, which Max was a bit jealous of, but she could practice. Chloe took Max's hand and twirled her around. Then grabbing both hands she spun the both of them and dipped the brunette. The whole time the others were staring at them in the corner of their eyes, but grinning and considering maybe they were made for each other.

Now it was a calm song, with the kids slow dancing. Justin, however, was passed out from having too much sugar. Kate and Michael were happily together in their little corner, Brooke and Warren were just making out on the counter much to Joyce's displeasure. Max and Chloe were in the middle of the dance floor, swaying to the beat and not paying attention to anything other than each other. With their foreheads touching, both girls were smiling as the music played and their feet took them where they wanted to go. "I never got to tell you how much of a great dancer you are," Max said.

"It's one of my hidden talents. Not many people think a lumberjack can break out into a rhythm that easily. But y'know, I always prove them wrong," Chloe lightly bragged.

Max chuckled, wrapping her arms around the blue-haired girl's neck. They were both quiet for a few seconds, kind of having an awkward silence. Chloe put her hand on the small of Max's back, swaying her back and forth. "You look cute with your antlers on," Chloe chuckled.

"Shush! I like them," Max protested.

"I bet I can turn you into Rudolph," the lumberjack said slyly, making Max's cheeks a light shade of pink.

"Not here, Chloe. There's people around," Max scolded.

"Well let's ditch. C'mon we can go to the woods again," Chloe suggested.

Max thought for a minute, then sighed. "Alright," she gave in.

"Hella yes! Let's go!" She grabbed Max's hand and ran for the door.

It didn't get unnoticed by Kate, who looked at them with curiosity. "Hey, where're you guys going?"

"We're ho ho homos! Happy holi-gays!" Chloe cheered, kissing Max in front of them all, then dashing out the door. Kate's eyes bulged out of her head and had the most shrill cry, getting everyone to cover their ears. "WHAT DID I TELL YOU!" she yelled, waking Justin up.

"The fuck just happen?"

Michael, Warren, and Brooke burst out laughing, to which Warren fell off the counter, clenching his gut. Joyce just chuckled, happy that Chloe found someone to be with after all that time. Kate just did a victory dance in the boys' faces, repeatedly telling them she was right about Max and Chloe hooking up. Justin and Warren laughed. In the back of their minds they thought they would end up together too, but didn't have the courage to admit it. In the end, everyone was happy the two found each other.