St. Joseph's already has a Christmas tree up in the courtyard when I return from the Thanksgiving break. The weekend decided to drop a few feet of snow, so the tree looks pretty with some snowflakes decorating its branches. Besides the glistening snow, Christmas decorations, and little bits of the holiday season that has invaded the school, everyone else is in full panic mode with finals rapidly approaching.

The first day back appears normal. My friends and I exchange stories from our short break; they wish me a happy birthday once again, and we take on our classes. But even then, routine feels out of place when finals season rolls around. Aurora and I have begun studying in the library for hours on end after school until it gets dark and only the street lamps light our way back home. These days, however, our brains are much too tired to hold up a good conversation. And some days, either I or Aurora blow each other off for some tutoring, extra studying, and so on.

I sometimes miss being Olivia and Oliver's age in December. While they help my mother decorate the Christmas tree downstairs one evening, I stay in my room, going over flashcards and listening to them laugh and giggle as faint, twinkling Christmas music plays below. My father says I work myself too hard. My mother says it's good I strive for good grades. But sometimes, in these moments, I wish I knew how to be less harsh on myself.

For two weeks I struggle through my schoolwork and the end of classes. Most of my lunches are spent in the library, and I only see Aurora a few days out of the week. I figured the end of the semester would cause us to lose contact with each other. After all, she's a senior trying to perfect her grades before college, while I've got a little wiggle room. I assume she's spending every waking moment studying as well.

The weekend before finals suddenly arrives. It's mid-December, and though the rest of the world is in the Christmas mood, I am once again seated on my bed with my legs criss-crossed, going over some AP Chemistry flashcards. I assume my friends wouldn't be studying on a Saturday night, but they also don't hold themselves to the same standards as me.

Deep in thought while studying, I break out of my scholarly trance at the sound of my phone going off. That was strange. I thought I had silenced it before even beginning my study session, as is usually my protocol. I grab it, my finger hovering over the "Decline Call," button, when I notice the caller ID. It's Aurora. She's never once called me before, only texted. My heart races at the sight of her name, though I'm unsure why. I calm down, realizing she's most likely studying too and calling to ask a Calculus question.

"Hello?" I answer.

"Hey, what are you doing?" Aurora asks.

"Studying. Aren't you doing the same?"

"Well, I was, but I've been at it all day, and my brain is fried. What about you? What hour of studying are you on?" she wonders.

I glance at my clock. It's nearly five o'clock now. "Uh...probably seven hours, with a few breaks in between," I admit.

"How is your brain not fried then, Callie?"

"Oh, believe me. It is," I say, causing her to giggle on the end of the other line.

"Hey. The downtown tree lighting is tonight. Want to go?" she asks.

I stiffen. No, no, no, no, no. This was not in our implicit friendship agreement. A coffee shop trip, sure. Walking home together? Studying? Sure. But an actual excursion, right before finals? I can't deny that I actually want to go, but I've got more to study for, and my mom has dinner in the works, and—

"Callie? You still there?" Aurora asks.

"Yeah. Um, I really don't know. I still have more studying to do, you know."

"You're really going to lose it if you don't take a break. Trust me. I've been there before. You still have tomorrow to study too. So, why not? I'll even drive us."

"I don't know..."

"Oh, come on! There's going to be carolers and hot chocolate, and I heard the tree has over a thousand lights this year," Aurora states.

I want to ask her if she's only asking me to come because the rest of her friends are preoccupied with finals, making me a second choice, but I keep my lips shut. Still, I can't believe she's shaken me down. I lower my head and let out a sigh.

"Okay. I'll come, then."

"You can't bring your flashcards."

Dammit. Once again, she sees right through my plan.

"Okay, okay. When are you coming to get me?"

"Be there in fifteen?"

"Um, sure," I say. I set the phone down for a moment, take a deep breath, and suddenly begin to freak out. Fifteen minutes?! My hair's been in the same messy bun all day, I've been wearing these same sweatpants since eight in the morning, and come to think of it, with a quick sniff of my armpit, I don't think I even showered this morning.

I scramble through my closet, trying to find something decent to wear. I let myself think that it's the anxiety causing me to rush, though I also can't help but deny I feel a little excited at the same time. It's been so long since I've done something fun like this, especially at Christmastime, when I'm usually always too preoccupied with finals to enjoy myself.

When I've found an outfit that's decent enough and will, at the same time, keep me warm, I swing my door open and descend the steps quickly. My footsteps echo on our hardwood staircase, causing heads to turn. My parents are downstairs in the kitchen, sharing a bottle of wine. They glance up at the sight of me rushing down to the bottom level of our home.

"Um, going somewhere?" my mother asks.

"Oh, uh, got invited to the tree lighting. I can go, right?" I ask. My parents are usually lenient with my time spent away from home, considering I don't go out much anyway. Still, I know my mom will probably be preparing dinner soon and that she likes having the family all together.

"Fine, fine. There will be leftovers for you tomorrow, I guess," she says. I assume the glass of wine has helped in her decision.

"Don't stay out too late," my father warns.

I nod and step outside onto the porch, letting out a sigh of relief. It's exciting making decisions on a whim, I realize. It's something I rarely do. I rub my hands together and watch my breath mist up in front of the porch light. Then, I see the headlights of Aurora's car and walk down from the porch steps to greet her.

"I'm surprised you agreed to come," Aurora says as I climb into the passenger seat.

"Well, I needed a break," I admit.

Aurora eyes me for a moment. "No flashcards?"

"No flashcards," I confirm, though I was too busy getting my things together to even consider throwing it into my bag. I suppose I've forgotten other things as well, though my wallet is in my small backpack, and that should be enough.

It takes us about a half hour to drive and find parking, but I enjoy the car conversation I have with Aurora as Christmas music on the radio quietly plays in the background. Soon enough, we're downtown, and true to Aurora's word, it is a Christmas spectacular.

The shops are lined with multicolored lights. When the speaker isn't blaring Christmas hits, there are carolers on street corners belting out a harmonious tune. The tree, at the center of town, has not been lit yet. I'm stumped with what to do at the moment considering there are so many options at hand.

"Hot chocolate?" Aurora asks.

I nod, thinking that's a good way to start. We make our way through the crowd to a hot chocolate cart. I begin to rummage through my bag for my wallet, but Aurora stops me.

"We'll have two hot chocolates," she tells the lady serving the drinks.

"I can pay," I tell her.

"I insist," she says. "I tore you away from your studying, so I owe you one," Aurora tells me as she hands over the cash. I want to continue to fight her on it, but I already can tell from her confident tone that she won't back down. So instead, I accept the cup of hot chocolate, allowing it to warm my cold hands. Gloves. That was one thing I forgot to bring. I figure the hot cocoa can keep the blood in my fingers flowing for a bit, and then I'll just shove them in my coat pocket.

Aurora and I decide to stroll around the shops while we enjoy our hot chocolates. Though some shops are already closed for the night, we peruse through a few antique shops, enjoying a bit of indoor heating before we venture back outside.

At one point, we stop at a Christmas shop. At first, I am content just admiring the tree display in the window, but Aurora insists we enter, and we spend our time looking at the various ornaments and displays. The ornaments glisten under the shop's lights. Aurora ends up buying a shiny Santa ornament, though I figure I'll keep my purchases minimum. My mom is strict about what goes on the tree, and I don't have my own tree to decorate, so buying ornaments has never been a priority.

"Look, carolers!" Aurora exclaims as we head down the street corner. A small crowd has already begun to gather around the chorus, listening to their tunes fill the air. My hot chocolate is long gone at this point, so I shove my hands in my pockets and listen contently to the familiar Christmas tunes. As the night goes on, I start to think more and more how I could have missed out on all of this to just go over my Chemistry flashcards one more time.

"What?" Aurora asks, looking down at me.

"Huh?"

"You were smiling, more than I've seen you ever smile before," she says.

"Oh. I like the song," I offer as an excuse. I must be in a better mood tonight than I thought.

As the carolers finish up, the crowd begins to gather by the tree.

"Let's go!" Aurora says, taking off into the crowd. I do my best to follow behind her. Even if we get separated, I can spot her red curls from a mile away.

We find a spot on a nearby sidewalk. It's not directly up close, but still a good view nonetheless. I can't deny that my fingers are starting to hurt at this point. I silently curse myself for forgetting probably one of the most essential items of clothing on a cold, December night.

"It's so cold, isn't it?" Aurora asks, shivering some. "I wonder if it will snow tonight."

"Tell me about it. I can't feel my fingers," I say, showing her my puffy, red fingers that are painful from the cold.

"What? Did you not bring gloves?" Aurora asks.

"Ah, no. I totally forgot to grab them at the last minute. My brain really must be fried," I say, joking some. Aurora doesn't reply, but instead takes off one of her mittens. I open my mouth, about to tell her that she doesn't need to spare one of her mittens for me, but instead, she shoves the mitten in her pocket and grabs my hand.

I almost pull away at first, surprised at the touch. But her hand is warm, much warmer than mine. It takes a few seconds for me to settle into her touch, but I find myself grasping onto her hand tightly for some warmth.

"Wow, your hand really is cold," she admits. She takes her other mitten-covered hand and shuffles both her hands against mine in an attempt to warm it before returning back to holding my hand.

I feel myself warming, though I can't tell if that's from her effort to warm my cold fingers or another reason.

The countdown begins. I stare up excitedly. Ten, nine, eight, seven...Aurora joins in now to the countdown, and though I don't normally settle for this cheesiness, I excitedly shout, "Three! Two! One!"

The tree illuminates into a sea of colors. Applause erupts from below. I expect Aurora to let go of my hand to cheer, but she continues holding on tight. A smile creeps onto my face as I admire the lights and tinsel strung across the tree.

But something else happens at that moment too. I feel something cold touch my face, and when I look up, I notice Aurora's prediction has come true. Snowflakes are beginning to fall from the sky, landing on my hair and my jacket.

"This is so cool!" Aurora exclaims.

"Perfect timing, huh?" I say. I watch as a few snowflakes land on her. The white flakes compliment her red curls perfectly, I think. I'm suddenly very aware of how my hand is growing warmer in Aurora's, how I can't stop watching the snowflakes fall on her instead of looking at the tree. And suddenly, everything begins to make sense. The excitement I get around her, the disappointment I sometimes feel when we're apart, how Isabella Sandoval seems so far away.

"Something wrong?" Aurora asks, noticing I'm staring.

"Nothing," I say, pulling my hand away. I'm afraid she'll feel my sweat before long. "We should get going before the crowd tramples us."

"You're right. We should head home and get all the sleep we can before finals." She turns, and my hand feels empty. I flex it against the empty air a few times and shuffle my feet against the sidewalk as I head back to the car.

Goddammit. I have a crush on Aurora.