Demund woke up from his sleep. Christmas had finally arrived!

He had been the one who had planned the courses of events for today. He had to be in the best shape possible. After changing into his clothes and repeating his morning routine, he went downstairs to grab some food. His parents were sleeping—they had gotten a free day today, which was nice.

There was nothing under the Christmas tree. That was expected; Demund’s family never really celebrated gift-giving except for that one time in elementary school. He had always been jealous of Jothan for receiving brand new toys every year, but now he had grown over it.

At least they had feasted on some very nice velvet cake on Christmas Eve. That was the Christmas present his family celebrated with every year—some great meals and dessert.

Though it was lonely to see nothing under the tree every year.

Demund ate some of the cake that had been left over from last night and checked his phone. They were going to meet at 10 in front of the school. He was planning to go pick Enariss up on his way, and Rhyne had gotten permission from his parents to use the big automated car that could fit 4 people. All there was left to do was go through today’s events smoothly. He just hoped they would like it.

He checked the map again. All the routes were set. All the good sceneries were set. All the shops and event-places were set. He took in a nervous breath.

He went over to the side of the living room. The presents he had bought for his friends was there in small, pretty boxes. It had cost him all of his allowance, plus his Christmas money, and he didn’t even know if they would like it. They were all rich kids. Would they be satisfied with what he had gotten them?

He had bought scarfs for them. A crimson, velvet one for Enariss; a brown one decorated with black for Riley; and a yellow one with gold thread for Rhyne. They hadn’t been cheap—they were all decorated beautifully and felt amazing to touch.

Demund thought it would fit the cold weather. He packed them into his backpack and set it aside. After doing the dishes, he read a book while he waited.

Finally, the clock struck nine. Since they were biking, he had to start now. The day was freezing, so it would hurt to cycle quickly.

Demund put on his winter jacket and slung his bag on. He opened the front door and felt the cold air wash over him. Had it really been a good idea to go out today?

There was no turning back now. He closed the door behind him and got on his bike.

He would try to make today a very merry Christmas.

〄 〄 〄

Demund’s breath got taken away as Enariss came out of the house. She was dressed in a pure white parka with fur on the hoodie. It held the emblem of a famous brand. To put it simply, expensive clothes. But they suited her extremely well. Her winter boots and slender, black pants were a treat to look at. Demund tried his best not to stare.

Demund could see her breath in the chill of the air. Enariss got on her bicycle as the gates slid open automatically.

“Good morning,” Demund said.

“Yep! Good morning,” replied Enariss.

They started cycling together to the school. The roads were filled with snow, and the trees and streetlights were clothed from last night’s snowfall. The sun wasn’t fully up yet, so the shadow of the clouds was hovering over the two students. It was a great morning; peaceful and quiet.

“What things have you got planned for today?” asked Enariss.

“Well, first we’ll land at the inner city square and walk around the streets a bit. It’ll be nice because there aren’t that many people there in the morning. Then we’ll head into a shop for dinner. I have a few in mind. After that—”

“Alright, alright, I got it. You really planned this through, didn’t you?”

Demund grinned. “I took all night!”

They continued to engage in small talk or bike in silence. Eventually, they arrived at the school. Demund noticed a van parked on the road, which was weird. It was the only car there. But he paid it no mind.

They waited for Rhyne and Riley at the entrance of the school after they parked their bikes inside. The gates were always open for students with their ID cards, which was convenient.

“Hey Demund,” said Enariss as they stood at the gates. “Would you have preferred it if it was just us two?”

Demund hid his shocked expression under a calm demeanor and smiled.

“The more the merrier, right?”

“Mmm…I guess.”

Enariss was disappointed at Demund’s witty reply. She had wanted to see his true reaction more. If she pushed him further, he was sure to have misunderstandings. She wanted that. She wanted herself to be in Demund’s mind all the time. She wondered what his face would look like when he lost her. It was still a long way into the future, but if she planted the seeds now, she would see an abundant harvest.

“What’s in your bag?” she asked cutely while pointing at Demund’s bag. “Maybe…it’s a present?”

“Oh, this?” Demund kept his face relaxed as his heart beat faster. “I just got some presents for you and the other guys. Just something simple for Christmas.”

He looked at Enariss’s cute, smiling face. How did she do that? How did she make him so nervous?

“Do you want it now? I was planning to give it when everyone arrived…”

“Okay!” said Enariss as she pushed her arms out. “Isn’t now a perfect time? When it’s just the two of us.” She masterfully positioned her head so her hair and expression would look as cute as possible. To put it simply, it was an expression that caused diabetes.

Demund clenched his fist and toes to stop himself from smiling too much. Calm down Demund, he told himself. You know she doesn’t mean anything special. She’s just a normal high school girl who wants to see her present quickly. Just be natural and slowly hand it over.

Demund looked through his bag and took out the small red box meant for Enariss. With a casual smile, he stretched it out to Enariss, who had her hands behind her back, legs bent slightly inwardly as if she was nervous. Ah, thought Demund.

Enariss reached out with two hands and placed the box beside her cheek.

“Can I open it now?” she asked sweetly.

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“Yep! It’ll be perfect for the weather.”

Enariss gently tore the tape away and opened the box. Inside was a beautiful piece of cloth that was decorated with red roses. Oh? Demund was more sensible than she had thought.

“Thank you, Demund. I’ll treasure it,” she said as she brushed the smooth cloth against her cheek. It felt surprisingly nice. She didn’t recognize the brand, but it was nice.

“You’re making me blush,” stated Demund as he scratched his head. He didn’t even know what was going on anymore. Was this romance? Or just a conversation between friends? He decided to stay neutral and casual just to be safe. ‘No overreactions’ was repeating in his mind at that moment. Just smile and wave was his strategy.

For Enariss, it was slightly frustrating. Demund wasn’t showing any weaknesses at all. She didn’t know if that was a good sign or a bad sign. Well, she had lots of time to work with. She liked the scarf, so she guessed it was fine.

Finally, Rhyne’s car arrived at the school gates. Demund relaxed as he entered the back seat of the car with Enariss. Riley and Rhyne were on the front.

“Sorry if you guys waited long,” said Riley.

“Hey Demund, I’ll set the car to the location you sent on the chat, okay?” asked Rhyne.

“Sounds good,” said Demund. He melted on the seats as something like stress was released from his body. He really had to relax more. He was overthinking things too much.

〄 〄 〄

They arrived at one of the inner-city squares. Rhyne tapped a few things on his phone, making his vehicle shoot off somewhere to park itself.

“Alright, guys. Follow me.”

Demund led the party through the streets that were filled with snow. Just like he had expected, there weren’t that many people at this time of the day. He had also chosen the area where he predicted would contain the least people in the morning.

The area they were in was popular for its lights at night. Since it wasn’t nighttime, people were at other places enjoying day-time activities. But the lights still hung on arches.

“Aren’t they pretty?” said Demund. “I know it’s in the morning, but the lack of people makes it feel special, doesn’t it?”

“I guess?” said Riley.

“It feels a little lifeless though,” commented Rhyne.

A cold wind blew past the group as they continued to walk through the empty streets. The lunch area Demund had prepared for was still a few hundred meters away. He had planned to walk there while enjoying the scenery. His friends didn’t look too happy about it.

They walked in relative silence, shivering in their jackets as the wind blew. Demund hadn’t expected so much wind.

What a bad start, he thought to himself.

Then from the corner of his eye, Demund spotted salvation. There was a hot chocolate stand to the side of the road, just beginning to open. They were probably setting up the stand early because, by nighttime, this place would become crowded and bustling with snack sellers.

“Do you want some hot chocolate? You’re shivering,” said Demund to his friends.

“Sounds great. It really is cold.”

They huddled together to the hot chocolate stand. Within it, a woman was setting the mixer and boiler up. Even in the cold weather, she lacked a thick jacket.

“Excuse me, can we buy hot chocolate?” asked Demund.

“Yes! We’ll be ready in ten minutes,” said the woman without looking up.

“We can wait,” said Riley. “Come on, let’s sit down below the tree over there.”

The group went to the concrete block that had a tree on it and sat down on its edges. The stone was cold, but it was better than standing. They silently waited as the chocolate stand prepared itself.

Demund wanted to apologize. He had failed to consider the cold and the bleakness. Rich people probably hung out in flashier places than this. Truthfully, he didn’t go out that much. This was the first time he’d planned something for four people.

“After this, we’ll go into a restaurant,” explained Demund. “I have four places in mind, and they all had great ratings when I checked yesterday. There’s Chinese, Italian, ramen, or steak.”

“I’m fine with anything,” said Enariss.

“Ramen, maybe? It sounds nice and simple,” said Riley.

“I don’t know about you guys, but I didn’t eat breakfast, so maybe steak for me,” said Rhyne.

“I think they sell pasta at the steak restaurant,” suggested Demund.

“Hmm…steak…” murmured Enariss. “Sounds a bit heavy.”

“We can always decide when we arrive. Looks like the stand is open,” said Demund. “I’ll buy the drinks. Any specific flavors you want?”

“If they have mint, then sure,” said Enariss.

“Marshmallows for me,” said Rhyne.

“Here, I’ll come with you,” stated Riley. “There’s more on the menu, and you’ll need more than two hands to carry all of them. I’ll pay half if you don’t mind.”

“Sure.”

Riley and Demund went to the stand while the other two sat on the concrete. Rhyne was half-falling asleep while Enariss was moving her legs like a child would. Both of them were cute to look at.

Demund ordered the drinks and Riley paid for half of it like he said he would. They waited while the cold wind continued to blow.

“Hey Demund, don’t stress yourself too much.”

“Huh?”

“You look like you’re under a lot of pressure.”

When Demund wrinkled his eyebrows in confusion, Riley tapped his head.

“My ability. I can observe things clearly without bias.”

“Oh.”

Demund looked at his hands. Riley had seen right through him.

“We’re all friends here, so don’t be so nervous. We’re all just a little down the mood cause it’s still the morning and it’s cold. None of it is your fault.”

Demund scratched his head. He knew that too. But hearing it from Riley made him feel much better.

“Thanks, Riley. It means a lot.”

Riley smiled and patted Demund on the back. “I did this for Rhyne a lot. He was worried about nothing all the time in middle school.”

Demund smiled. “I can see it.”

“Guys, are you done yet?” said Rhyne from across the street.

“Almost!” replied Riley. He turned back to Demund.

“Even if nothing works out, let’s just have fun.”

Demund clenched his fists in determination.

“Yeah, let’s!”

〄 〄 〄

The hot chocolate made things a lot better. Rhyne yawned as he sipped on his drink.

“Gosh, this stuff is really good,” he said. “I’m glad we got it.” He took another sip. “I think I see the restaurants now.”

Finally, the streets were livelier with people and customers going in and out of shops. Christmas day was starting to liven up as the sun rose higher.

Demund’s spirits were higher than ever now. The little encouragement Riley had given him made him relax a lot. He felt freer.

Everyone eventually decided to eat at the ramen shop. Rhyne gulped down a deluxe meat-special ramen hungrily while Riley and Demund both had the normal version. Enariss ordered some soup-less noodles that looked spicy to eat. She slurped it all without a problem though.

By the time they came out of the shop, stands were already set up in various places. Demund let out a thankful sigh. This was what he had been planning for.

They went through the streets and obtained sweets and drinks. Demund tried to spend as little as possible while his friends bought whatever they pleased. He was happy when they offered some of their snacks to him. This was what friends were for. Demund felt all warm inside.

Demund led his group through the places he had planned. Along the mini-forest down an alley; across a bridge that went over a long canal; between the small passageways that led to Easter-egg-like areas within the city.

“I know this place!” said Enariss. “It came out in The Ghosts of Winterday!”

“Which is exactly why I brought you here,” said Demund proudly. “It looks better with the snow, right?”

“I’m glad we came during the day,” said Rhyne. “It would have been packed during the night.”

They laughed and enjoyed the little views that Demund led them through.

Later, at Riley’s suggestion, they went to watch the little play that was happening nearby. The entrance fee wasn’t that much, so they all huddled inside to hide from the cold. It wasn’t anything big. Just a local play directed by a no-name. Nevertheless, the group thoroughly enjoyed it. The small, comfortable atmosphere and the gentle plot of the Christmas love story made them feel at home.

Except Demund became too conscious of Enariss after the play was done. The romance had stirred up his emotions. He half-suspected Riley for suggesting it on purpose.

〄 〄 〄

They had eaten too many snacks while traveling, so they decided to eat dinner when they got home.

They walked back to the street they had come from. Now, when the time was nearing seven, the lights were on and snow had started to fall slowly. The street was now crowded with people who had come to view the Christmas lights at night.

Rhyne yawned sleepily as Riley stretched his arms. Enariss had her hoodie on. She too looked a little tired. Demund was content with the day. They had laughed and enjoyed the cold, the food, the scenery, and mostly, each other’s company. That was all that mattered.

“It’s pretty…” said Enariss.

Everyone agreed silently. The lights and the falling snow felt warm. They stood at the side of the street while enjoying their surroundings. People’s happy faces, the smells of Christmas, the faint sound of singing and bells in the distance, children happily running around through the crowds while their parents called out to them…

The car arrived. Rhyne fell asleep with his head resting against the window. The driverless car silently drove through the falling snow and arrived at the school.

“See you later,” said Riley.

Demund and Enariss watched as the car drove away into the dark. They went inside the school and fetched their bicycles.

“Let’s go home,” said Demund. Enariss nodded sleepily.

They walked onto the street as the sidewalk was slippery.

Then Demund’s vision went black.