The Christmas Holidays were approaching. The staff around the school had taken care to decorate the halls and each classroom to mirror the festive spirit. Trees had been placed in the stairwells and the main entrance near the reception. Bows and tinsel decorated the normally boring school halls, and Christmas lights lined each window. Baubles and bells hung from the staircases, and the odd bit of mistletoe could be found hanging in random doorways and arches around the school. Christmas songs played over the school intercom as if to brighten the last week of school up a little more.
There were no circular lessons that weak, just holiday-themed activities. The catering classrooms had been opened to students to learn to make Christmas treats, cookies, cakes, and mince pies. The art floor had plenty of activities going on, from Christmas card-making to handmade decorations. The English floor had writing events, and the music room had its own competitions going—anything from singing competitions to songwriting ones. Most of the staff oversaw the activities, while others prepared for the little Christmas market Stephanie had arranged, and the winter dance at the end of the week would double as the student's Christmas party.
Triple H had recruited the Darklings to help set up the NXT hall for the dance, whereas Vikki had taken the rest of the Mix-n-match group to help set up the market in the other school sports hall and quad. All had been willing to help, with a few jokes being shared between the group, helping Vikki and Summer set up a video call with the Darklings on the opposite side of the school. The Darklings themselves did the tasks assigned to them in pairs. Rhea going off with Dom, Aleister and Cross, Finn and JD, and, finally, Echo and Damian. Between them, they managed to decorate the hall with glittery decorations, snow-themed items, and lots of tinsel, baubles, and other decorations delivered in boxes.
"Never did get the answer to that question," voiced Aleister, picking glitter from his hair as the group of Darklings made their way to the art floor via the back staircase. The door to the outside had been opened to allow six form students to come and go without running into the chaos other students created.
"I dread to ask what the question was," called Rhea, her voice sounding loud in the abandoned stairwell to the point anyone could hear her words no matter what floor they were on. Her playful dread only grew upon witnessing Aleister's mischievous grin appear. However, a smile threatened to paint itself on her lips to hear Echo humming a random Christmas song, her ongoing war with the mistletoe seemingly forgotten for now, at least until the next unannounced battle.
"If Seth was in a threesome now," casually responded the Dutch teen, hearing the chuckles to his question as Cross merely rolled her eyes and continued up the stairs. Her reaction suggested it was a question that truly did seem to bug the teen known as the Devil. "What? Even the blind can see the tension between our dear Architect and The Lass Kicker. Add that to the whole thing with our Demon being up in the air ... Ow!"
"Oof, there was malice behind that one," commented Finn, cringing slightly at the sound of Echo's hand colliding with the back of Aleister's head. Damian also cringed to the side, as did JD and Dominik. Rhea, on the other hand, smirked slightly as Cross carried on as if nothing had taken place. "Still a touchy subject?" asked the Irish teen, suspecting although the midnight-haired girl was more open and accepting now, she still had yet to face all the pain, hurt, and feelings of betrayal she'd been suppressing. She'd still yet to talk things over with Seth rather than leaving things in limbo.
"I feel sorry for Serenity and any other idiot who brings it up," stated JD, a grin appearing on his lips as Echo rubbed the back of Aleister's head before continuing to hum Christmas songs, a silent apology between the pair, followed by Aleister all but chasing both Echo and Rhea up the rest of the stairs, with the stash of glitter he'd kept hold of. Laughter soon rang out as Cross sprinkled the four remaining boys with the multicolored glitter she had, having to jump to get Damian properly. She seemingly turned into a giggling Christmas fairy as she did so before disappearing up the stairs.
"Well, Dame, if you do happen, go through with your plan. Get her under the mistletoe," spoke Dom, following JD on the trail of glitter from Cross and Aleister, as well as the sound of playful screams and laughter. Soon enough, the boys joined the rest of the group at the top of the stairs, Cross bouncing on the spot as if she was a lioness about to pounce on her enemy, whereas Rhea had her own weapon of glitter as did Echo, Aleister had a collection, giving each of them their own.
"If anyone asks, it's Drew's fault for asking about the glitter war," commented Rhea before opening the door and letting Cross loose. The rest followed behind her, acting as normal as they could with their minds set on another glitter fight and armed with the best weapon for the petty. It wasn't long before the laughter and yells rang out again as the glitter flew everywhere. By the end of it, it looked like a nuclear glitter bomb had gone off, catching all of them in its wave of destruction.
"Weren't you lot wearing matching Santa hats earlier?" asked AJ, recalling seeing them in the sports hall. All of them had dark purple Santa hats with silver fur on; each individual had had their nickname written across the front in black, too. There was little doubt they were from Triple H, as Vikki had given each of her helpers matching hats with their own nicknames on as well. However, theirs were the normal Christmas colors of red and white.
"We were. Stopped off at the lockers on the way here," replied Damian, a grin appearing on his features upon noticing Miz trying to get the glitter from his mouth and Dean shaking his head in an attempt to rid himself of the pesky annoyance. "Echo got ambushed under the mistletoe a few more times," he added, knowing by now it was likely common knowledge that she'd been caught under it more times than anyone else so far.
"Owens, Zayn, said Prince here, and I think Orton," voiced Echo, crossing her arms as if in a huff about the constant ambushes. Punk only chuckled, along with AJ at his side and Roman across the way. Even Corey seemed to see the funny side of the whole thing, although he'd been keeping watch on the photo board, noticing Echo now had her own section.
"Anyone else would have been thrilled with the mistletoe," commented Nikki, chuckling as Echo sent a deadpan look in her direction; a grin appeared soon after it, as the gothic teen failed to keep her amusement in check even more so when Nikki sparkled more than the rest from the winter sun hitting the glitter covering her.
As if attracted by all the fun, Serenity appeared from the double doors leading to the main staircase. A sour expression painted her features, akin only to that of the Grinch. Her lips were in a tight line as her brows knitted in anger upon seeing Roman, her man, having fun without her, after avoiding her for what seemed like forever. Despite being covered in glitter, he smiled widely, his eyes shimmed with happiness, too. At Serenity's side was Daniel, looking just as grumpy as her; despite their best efforts, nothing seemed to work when it came to tearing the group of friends before them apart.
"What do you want?" rudely asked Brie, not bothering to spare the feelings of her ex and the leech at his side. She didn't bother specifying which her question was aimed at. Although she would admit if asked, the question was directed at Daniel more than Serenity. Everyone in the school, both students and staff alike, knew what Serenity wanted. Roman and to be the queen of the student body. "You know, other than destroying everything that doesn't revolve around either of you," added the younger Bella twin, not sparing anyone's feelings or hiding how she felt towards either of them.
"Just curious how everything was going between the two couples," replied Serenity, malice ringing through her sickly sweet voice. It was clear what she meant when her hazel eyes flinted between Seth and Echo, as well as the pair of Finn and Becky. That alone signaled she was unaware of the public arguments between the Irish connection duo. Or their quiet break up, although they had found a way to coexist as friends. Seth and Echo, however, remained in limbo; despite Seth's efforts to talk things through, Echo had thrust far refused to. Not because she didn't want to, but because she didn't want to break the group of friends further or face the pain she had thrust far buried.
"Speaking of weird threesomes," started Damian with a cheeky grin, receiving a collection of weird looks in response, which only served to draw a chuckle out of him. "What's going on with the one between Roman, Serenity, and Daniel?" he asked, hearing Summer laugh to the side, as did Maryse, Carmella, and AJ, even more so at the horror that appeared in Roman's eyes, as if the idea of being anywhere near Daniel and Serenity was nightmare fuel created to terrorize him.
"What is it with you two and threesomes?" asked Rhea, directing her question to the Puerto Rican descent teen and the Devil, watching as both froze as if they were deers caught in the headlights of an oncoming car.
"I don't know, Echo's comment the other day was brilliant for that," commented Finn, recalling the question she'd asked so casually: why do threesomes only apply to sex, why not to arguments? "So, was Cross asking about their obsession with sex?" laughed the teen known as the Prince and once the Demon King.
"Back to the subject!" almost yelled Serenity, annoyed at being ignored and forgotten so easily. She hated the mix-and-match group; not only were they her enemies, but also the bane of her school existence. No matter how hard she tried to change things to become the queen she desired to be. They were always there to throw a wrench into the works, undoing all her work just by existing. Thrust, she had come to the conclusion that to get what she truly wanted, she had to destroy the group once and for all, and she would do it by any means necessary.
"We are on the subject," replied Aleister with a grin. "I think I just about got my bearings back from the clobbering on the stairs," he added, looking to Echo, who innocently grinned back.
"Sorry," she worded.
"Anyway!" yelled Serenity, her patience growing thin; again, she was being ignored. "Roman, you better have a good reason for ignoring me; better than being back with this group of losers," she added, her words rambling and difficult to understand as she rushed to get them out before someone else interrupted her or changed the subject again.
"Are you sure they're dating?" asked Corey, joining in with the random interruptions and questions. "She's colder than Finn was in the sports hall during the reunification," he commented, receiving a wink from Finn on the opposite side of the hall.
"Even Echo's warmer than that to Seth," added Dean, grinning innocently when Echo sent her death glare in his direction. Seth threw his deadpan look over to his best friend at the same time.
"Will all of you shut up?" spoke Daniel, almost regretting his words, as the mix-and-match group as a whole looked at each other as if silently discussing the request and weighing up the options of obeying and disregarding it.
"NO," they responded in unison. Daniel only shook his head, accepting he likely deserved the response but at least thankful he got one. At the same time, he began to think of his own group of friends spread out across the school at the moment. Charlotte and Andrade are in the library working on a secret project. Mandy, Eva, and Cameron are all serving detention in the gym. Maria and Mike, likely with Nattie in the canteen, yelling about something or other. Austin had since cleaned up his act, helping Layla and Justin Gabriel with displays around the school. Elias was likely playing his guitar in the quad to entertain others. It was anyone's guess where Bobby had gotten to or Dolph and Roode.
Where have you been, Roman? Why haven't you answered my calls and texts? Why have you been ignoring the group chat? Why are you hanging around with these losers again? We have to get ready for the dance. I want to be crowned Snow Queen. You're going to prom with me; you better look your best and ditch this pathetic idiot. You're supposed to be loyal to me. You're supposed to be the most popular boy in school; act like it. And to think you were a sports star; look how far you've fallen without me keeping you on track.
All of it flooded from Serenity's lips in a barrage of words and insults. Accusations, and everything in between. It was as if she had forgotten she was the reason why Roman had regretfully quit the Wrestling Team and abandoned them so suddenly. As if she had forgotten, she was the problem rather than the solution. The Samoan teen, on the other hand, listened to each and every word in silence; slowly, the anger and frustration he felt grew and began to seep into his otherwise neutral features.
As he looked around those he'd called his family, all the feelings he'd buried came rushing back. He felt regret for hurting them, especially Summer, Dean, and Seth. All the anger he had for himself and the frustration he had allowed himself to be blinded, manipulated, and controlled by Serenity. He carried the guilt about what happened to him, and his little found family was still fractured, as the Darklings had yet to return to the group or reintegrate themselves fully.
"Hate to break it to you, crumpet, but there's no Snow Queen. Said winter dance is a glorified Christmas party," commented AJ, her voice breaking Roman from his trance and guiding him back to reality.
"I'm not going to prom with you either," coldly stated Roman, his voice frosty as his eyes locked on Serenity, the woman who had caused so much pain. "Have been part of group chats and calls. No, I won't ditch my found family for you or anyone else for that matter. This is where I belong, where I've always belonged. Without them, I'm lost, a shadow of who I could be. I don't care for popularity, Serenity; it means nothing beyond these four walls and will mean nothing as a grown adult out there." he added, still no warmth to his voice as he all but glared at the mousy-haired teen who had manipulated him. "I left the wrestling team for you, and I have spent each day regretting it. Even more now, when I see past your web of lies and realize all you wanted was to isolate me, use me to tear my family apart, for the imaginary popularity only you care about."
"As for being prom queen, being a bitch is gonna get anyone to vote for you. Charlotte has a better chance at winning than you, and she looks down on everyone," commented Brie, a sad smile coming to her lips, remembering when she had been so excited for prom; now she realized how stupid she was for thinking she could bully everyone into voting for her. "Be someone people actually want to see as prom queen, helpful, kind, someone who lifts others up rather than tears others down out of spite and jealousy," she added, with a sigh escaping her lips.
"Oh, that's me out then, lol," laughed Rhea, recalling the amount of freshman-year students she'd scared away. Some by accident, others like the entitled brats she'd done on purpose. "Echo, too, scared all years and staff in the recent weeks. That glare of yours can freeze hell," added the Ozzie teen, hearing Echo snigger from her side, likely seeing the funny side of the whole thing.
"Guess we've nominated Cross Prom Queen for the Darklings. Aleister king by default," added Dom, seeing the horror pass over Aleister's features at the idea of dressing up and wearing a tux for something. "Fearless, Ney Ney and The Goddess for your lot, right?" asked Dom, seeing how the three named girls looked around in confusion, as if unaware there had even been a conversation about prom.
"JD, I hate you so much right now," called Rhea after being caught under the mistletoe. She quickly moved away from it, pulling Echo with her to ensure another round didn't take place under the festive plant.
"You're the safer option," laughed JD, holding his hands up as if to surrender. Once again, Serenity was forgotten about, much to the brunette's dismay. "It would be punch under the mistletoe if I caught Echo."
"Or a low blow, depending on my mood," voiced Echo, Damian just behind her now, with Rhea to her side, almost as if the two had a silent agreement to protect her.
"Who knew Roman's icy glare would come in handy?" commented Seth, feeling a sense of normality with the found family surrounding him. Since the Darklings had begun to join them again, the laughter, joy, and mischief had returned as well. Despite their dark appearance, they brought the light to the group, the love that held everyone together. Whether the group of gothic teens realized it or not, they were the glue that held the mismatched group together.
"Scary to think about, isn't it?" added Drew, with a friendly grin on his lips. He ignored Daniel as he all but sighed loudly before whispering something to Serenity and storming off, back through the grey-painted doors he'd come through minutes beforehand.
"Terrifying more like it," called Renee, as she lay her head on Dean's shoulder, a smile appearing as he reached for her hand as if he was no longer afraid to show he was happy with her, no longer afraid to reveal they were a long-standing couple. Stronger together.
"Did I say I missed this?" spoke Carmella, her eyes sparkling with happiness as she spoke the truth. She did miss the laughter, the family-like atmosphere, the mischief and the joking, the playful fights with random things, and the unequaled support. She missed how fearless everyone was and how unapologetically unique they each were. They were different, but that's what made their group stronger.
"I'm still here, you know," voiced Serenity, muttering a few insults under her breath. Her voice was loud as if to retain the attention she couldn't find a way to keep. Dripping with entitlement, as if she believed each of them owed her something, an imaginary debt only she knew about.
"To be honest, it's hard to forget the nightmare before Christmas," replied Punk, his words quick and effortless, as if he had been waiting for some time to speak them.
"Which one?" asked Cross, glancing over to Echo and Rhea, both of whom had been nicknamed Nightmare in the past. "Echo, Rhea, or Cody?" she laughed, watching as Punk lowered his head to avoid showing his amusement, although a small chuckle rumbled from his throat.
"Mark my words when the new year comes. I will be the queen of this pitiful school, and I will have the last laugh as all of you bow to my glory, begging me for forgiveness, as I make your lives as miserable as you've made mine. I will have the last laugh. By the time we graduate, this little found family will be a forgotten memory. I will win and get what I want, no matter the cost," spoke Serentuy, launching into a tirade about what her New Year revolution was.
She seemed oblivious to the looks Summer shared with some of the girls close to her, oblivious to the glance the hounds shared, and the identical ones Drew, Corey, Miz, and Punk threw to each other. Just as she was unaware of how the darklings glared at her, as she cemented herself as their enemy, determination lit up their features, as each silently vowed Serenity wouldn't win the war she was about to start, nor hurt anyone else in her pointless quest for popularity and the silly title of queen bee.