After attending school for a few days, the weather finally turned colder.
The temperature dropped almost overnight. Morning air cut through coats and scarves, and by the time Eli arrived at school, his fingertips were already numb. In the blink of an eye, it was Christmas Eve; Friday.
The classroom was filled with an unusual sense of liveliness. Little cards were tucked into desk corners, red apples wrapped in clear plastic sat neatly on tabletops, and someone had even taped a paper snowflake to the blackboard.
When Eli reached his seat, he paused.
There was an apple placed squarely in the middle of his desk, wrapped carefully, with a small card attached. Before he could pick it up, Meribale leaned over from behind him.
"I gave you that!"
Her voice carried a proud, almost smug tone.
Eli blinked, then smiled. Recently, the two of them had been getting along well, it was nothing romantic, just comfortable. He picked up the apple and nodded.
"Thanks."
