Annie's POV

Ding!

Oh! I thought as I set my latest project down on my bed and then got up to open my window. I turned back to my bed as I heard Caleb come through the window.

"How are finals going?" I asked as I got back to my project. I crossed my legs and watched him sit across from me.

"Finished. And Aced."

I smiled and arched my head from side to side and smiled at him. "As usual."

"Who are you making the blanket for?"

"Connor." I held it up for him to see. "Is the green too bold?" I was making a blanket for him for Christmas. I picked a simple pattern with crossing and twisted loops for a border. The looped yarn was a time saver.

"It looks warm and…" He took a part of the blanket and felt it with his hand. "… and fluffy." He smiled kind of funny. "Just like the one you made for me."

"Yeah." I gleamed. "I really like this yarn for blankets. It takes like days instead of months this way." I still had months to go on a different project made from granny squares. I had been working on it for Ms. Maria… hopefully for her birthday… next year… Making a blanket for grown-ups takes way longer… especially with normal sized yarn. "Think he'll like it?"

He stared at the blanket for a second. "I think he'll be forever grateful and use it as soon as he receives it."

"Yay!" I squealed and held the blanket close to me, happy and proud at my handy work.

"How much work if left on this project?"

"Just a few more rows, so before bedtime, I think." I was working on the border where I twisted the yarn before bringing it through the crossed loops.

"How is everyone?"

"Busy. Connor is working on a ton of make-up work. Marigold and I have been researching the university Sirius's dad works at to look for anything with spooky potential. And Finn of course has been at rehearsals for the school's holiday concert."

"Have you found anything promising?"

"Eh…" I shrugged slowly. "Nothing that we're excited about… but we'll get a tour of some of their collections for Spring Break."

"Sounds exciting."

"We can't touch anything but I'm excited to learn a lot about some of the civilizations and textiles."

"That'll be quite the day."

"Uh huh. It'll be really cool. Marigold thinks she might be able to sense something."

"Either way, she will be able to practice."

"Mm-hm and tomorrow, I'm helping Marigold with her project after school."

"What project?"

"For our Secret Santa."

"So, how's rehearsal going Finn?" I asked. We were eating lunch at our usual table. Connor convinced his mom and the principal to let him come back to school even though it's almost Winter Break.

"Better. I finally got through the entire dance steps perfectly." He gestured with his fork when he said perfectly.

"That's great."

"So, you're back to excited?" Connor asked.

"Definitely." He nodded. Finn had been freaking out over rehearsals and school. His feathers started to stick out wildly and he even lost a few.

"Can't wait to see it," Marigold said.

"Thanks again for coming. It's great for more than family to come for once."

"'course."

"It sounds like fun."

"Wish it was fall slash spooky season kind of concert but it'll do." Marigold sighed.

"Sorry but the scary season has been over," Finn responded. "No more horror movie soundtracks until next year."

Marigold smiled and scrunched up her nose. "You know that's not true."

"I'm not playing those songs again until October." Finn pointed his fork at Marigold.

Marigold rolled her eyes and replied, "I know the deal."

Is Audrey still behaving?" Connor asked.

Marigold finished her sip of juice. "Yeah, no tricks, no scares, nothing. She even put away her toys."

"Oh wow."

"If only she behaved all the time," Finn sighed.

"You'd never step into a morgue period," Marigold pointed her spork at him.

"It's not my scene," Finn shrugged.

"It's more peaceful than you think." I replied. I didn't mind my first visit actually. At first, it was a little scary, but I wanted to meet Audrey Marigold and her Mom Sun walked me through. I didn't see any of Ms. Sun's clients. It was really clean and shiny in there. It reminded me of the hospital but more orderly. No one was fighting for life anymore. You were either alive or gone. I felt bad for Ms. Sun's clients but Audrey, Marigold and Ms. Sun seemed at peace there.

"Still not happening. The only ghost I'd see is in a movie theater.

"You know-w," Marigold said in a sing songy kind of way, "you'll probably have to sing in a haunted auditorium or theatre sooner or later.

Finn winced and the redish-purple feathers on his head slicked back further on his head. "Don't remind me."

We chuckled.

"I'll give you a heads up, I promise," Marigold said as she held her hand up.

"If you have the gift," Connor and Finn pointed out.

Marigold waved them off. "Details, details. Besides, the internet tells us everything we need to know."

"So, we're going to research every venue, concert hall and theatre I come across for the rest of my life?"

"I've already got clippings. Annie and I are making a scrap book."

Finn coughed and tried to swallow his bite. "What?"

"Don't worry, if there was anything paranormal going on I would've told you by now."

Finn cleared his throat. "Just checking."

"At any rate, Connor's the one who travels for competition, he'd be the one to encounter some kind of haunted theatre or hall."

Connor shook his head. His hair was getting back to its gold color with some black speckles in it. "Not happening this year, maybe next year."

We all got quiet. We know how bummed out Connor is about missing competitions and his young musicians program after school. He was still having trouble playing past medium difficulty songs. He didn't want to go back until he could play like he used to.

"I'm fine guys, really. It's not like I can't play, period. My cello isn't wasting away. And neither am I." He pointed his thumb at himself.

I reached over and set my hand on his shoulder. I tried to smile at him. He looked at me curiously before giving me his best lighthearted smile. The one where he tries to emulate my dad. It actually works and I actually smile genuinely. I still worry but he looks so happy when he plays his cello. I've seen him frustrated with his skills which kind of scared me. I'd never seen him so angry before. He looked liked he wanted to smash his cello.

"Besides, we've gotten to hang out more since we don't have to worry about my schedule.

"Ah," Marigold smiled. "Look who's thinking on the bright side."

"I'm not that cynical."

Finn and Marigold shared a look and then shared that look with me.

I smiled real big at Connor. The fake one where someone delivers bad news.

"Okay, you know what. I concede." He brought his hand to his chest. "And I'm okay with that."

"We wouldn't have it any other way," Finn said.

"Annie! It's time!" Mom called out for me.

I was in my room getting ready for Fin's performance. Christmas trees in my ears with my red sweater dress and gold leggings. I wore my headband as usual. Eh… ugh… yes, good enough. I sprinted down the stairs and met my family downstairs.

We met everyone in the auditorium for the show.

"Hey Annie!" Connor called out to me. I turned to see him and Marigold with their families. We all clustered together. The adults talked while Flash squirmed a little. It wasn't too crowded, but we were all early.

"So, this is what it's like to not be on stage." Connor mused. We were huddled close together, but we still had to almost yell at each other. "It feels warmer here than on stage."

Eventually, we were let into the auditorium. I sat in between Marigold and Connor.

"Better?" I asked jokingly.

"Much," he responded. He chuckled a little.

I saw Connor move around in his seat.

"Nothing. Just getting the lay of the land, that's all." He leaned forward. "Look," he pointed towards the stage, "you can see them scurrying back there." I squinted by I couldn't see what he was seeing.

"Yeah, a little." Marigold responded.

"I don't get it," I said.

"Stare at the curtain and watch for any sudden movement or shadows moving. Look at the side too, you might catch a glimpse of the crew too."

We stared at the stage for a bit.

"What time is it?" Connor asked.

Marigold pulled out her phone. "Ten minutes till curtain."

"Huh…" Connor mused.

"What?" I asked him.

"They're a lot more calm now."

"Maybe they noticed the kids acting all creeper on them."

Connor made a face to keep himself from laughing. "We're not creepy, we're curious."

"They don't know that," Marigold replied.

"She's got a point, Connor," I told him.

He shook his head and faked a defeated look. "Okay, I'll focus on the performance."

"Good." Marigold nodded while turning up her nose to fake a win.

The concert was fun. There was a mix of carols I knew and older songs I've never heard of. Some were in other languages. Finn had a solo in a medley of some classic songs. He crooned and reached notes so high and smoothly we were all awestruck. I hope we have a year or two before his voice changes… we all hope for a heartbreaking falsetto, for him to be the musician, performer, he's meant to be. My heart wasn't struck like when Connor sang to me, nothing could compare to that feeling. But Finn's voice could make anyone swoon, no doubt about it.

We met up with Finn afterwards. He was still a little flushed from the rush.

"Hey guys!"

"Hey!"

"Did you see us?"

"I heard you!" Finn pointed at Marigold.

"What? No way!"

"Way! Who else would say Be the star!?"

"How could you hear me over you?

"Dunno'."

"Oh wow…" Marigold smiled as she pulled out my gift for her.

"I thought you could hang it on your door," I told her. We were at Finn's home so could have a dinner and exchange gifts for secret Santa. I made a wreath for her made of felt and ribbon. Black and white striping pattern with a single red bow.

"You resisted using all the colors, thank you."

"I di-i-d."

"It killed you a little bit inside, didn't?"

"Maybe a little." I pinched my fingers and scrunched up my face. "Only for a second." For Marigold to be happy, it's so worth it.

"Okay, this one's for Finn." She handed Finn a small package.

"Huh…" Finn mused at the paper ornaments. "You… made this out of sheet music?"

"Uh-huh Annie helped me make them."

"This is so cool! They're carols!" He went through the folds for a few seconds and hummed. "Okay, this one's for Connor."

"Uh… journal?" He held it in his hand.

"Recycled paper turned into sheet music. With a notes column on each page.

"Oh, wow, thanks!" He said, as he turned a page.

"So, Annie this one's for you."

"Oh, it's kind of heavy." I held it in my hands and sort of bounced it before setting it down on my lap. I opened it up to see paper in a picture frame.

"It's the first draft and the final draft of the song I wrote you."

"Oh…" I looked over at him. My heart felt so full, I felt my entire chest swell up with joy and awe and bubbliness… I think I got a little light headed.

"Kiss. Kiss. Kiss." I turned to see Marigold and Finn silently chanting. I made a sound in the back of my throat and my face was burning up.

Connor cleared his throat. "Come on guys, that's enough."

Marigold and Finn faked backing away.

He looked at me. "You okay?"

I smiled and nodded. "Thank you." I held the frame up to my heart. If we were alone… maybe… maybe I would've kissed him.

"…A-a-a-and that's about it until I got here, I guess."

"You've had a very exciting life."

And that's all for now. Till next time. Happy reading!