The final bell of the semester rang out like a victory cry, echoing down the corridors before being drowned in the cheers of freedom. Desks scraped, chairs clattered, and students bolted from the classroom as if someone had set them loose from a cage. Bags were slung carelessly over shoulders, voices overlapping in a chorus of excitement—plans for movies, trips, and lazy mornings already spilling into the hallways.
Eli packed up slowly, letting the noise wash over him. The weight that finals had left on everyone's shoulders seemed to lift all at once, and the air buzzed with relief.
When they stepped outside, the cold December air bit at their cheeks, each breath turning into a puff of white. Mina, Jace,and Caleb clustered around him, laughing about nothing and everything as they made their way down the familiar street. Kai and Leo wasn't with them; he'd been pulled aside by the basketball coach after class, something about practice schedules and an upcoming game that couldn't be ignored even during the holiday rush.
The town itself had already dressed for the season. Fairy lights framed shop windows, flickering softly against the twilight. Wreaths hung proudly on doors, while the faint sound of carols drifted out from a café, mixing with the smell of roasted chestnuts from a nearby vendor. The world felt gentler somehow, wrapped in a blanket of winter's calm.
By the time Eli reached home, warmth greeted him at the door. His family had unearthed boxes of decorations from the attic, their contents spilling across the living room in a merry mess. His younger sister sat cross-legged on the carpet, hopelessly tangled in a string of lights, while their mother's voice called from the kitchen over the clinking of mugs. The rich scent of hot chocolate, cinnamon, and pine filled the air, softening the edges of Eli's tired mind.
"Here, hold this end," his sister demanded, thrusting the twisted cord at him. Eli chuckled, dropping his bag and kneeling beside her. Together they worked to free the knots, laughter bubbling whenever the string stubbornly tied itself in new ways.
For a while, it was easy to forget. Easy to just exist in that bubble of warmth, where the only deadlines were ornaments waiting to be hung and cookies cooling on trays. Yet even in the midst of it, Kai lingered in his thoughts. No matter how he tried to busy himself—wrapping gifts, hanging baubles, or losing badly at board games with his siblings—those words from earlier returned like a whisper that refused to fade. *I like you. I've liked you for a long time.*
A few days later, Mina dropped a message in the group chat: Christmas party at my place. Don't even try to say no.
Replies poured in within minutes—Leo's dramatic complaints, Jace's strings of exclamation marks, Caleb asking about food. Eli smiled at the flood of messages, warmth settling in his chest at how quickly they all agreed.
When the evening arrived, he stepped into Mina's house and was immediately greeted by a glow of fairy lights and the soft shimmer of a decorated tree. Holiday music drifted through the room, carrying with it the hum of laughter and chatter. His friends were scattered across the living room, bundled in sweaters, exchanging small gifts with grins that made the space feel alive.
"Eli! Over here!" Jace waved him over, tugging him into their circle without hesitation.
The night unfolded in a haze of noisy games, teasing, and the kind of joy that made the hours slip by unnoticed. For once, Eli allowed himself to sink into the moment, the weight of school and uncertainty fading into the background.
Then, across the room, his gaze snagged on a familiar figure. Kai sat by the tree, quieter than the rest, a faint smile playing at his lips as he watched their friends joke around. Their eyes met—just for a heartbeat—and in that instant Eli felt something warmer than the glow of the lights. His chest tightened, and before he could stop himself, a small smile curved onto his lips.
Winter break had only just begun, yet Eli couldn't shake the feeling that it was going to change more than just the year ahead.