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Celeste

There was nothing like Christmas in Winter Grove. Nestled deep in the Rocky Mountains, the small town was never short on snow. Thick, white flakes drifted through the air, like the town had been captured in its own shimmering snow globe.

Despite the cold and snow, the town's charming main street bustled with activity. It was the beginning of December, and as Christmas grew ever closer, people had lots to do. Locals were out doing their holiday shopping; tourists were arriving for the town's annual festival; and the students of Grove University were studying for their finals and preparing for their trips back home for the Christmas break.

Celeste Brighton wasn't one of them. This year she was staying in Winter Grove for Christmas... and she couldn't be more excited.

She watched all the hustle and bustle from the window of her small off-campus apartment. From her spot, she had a perfect view of Winter Grove's town square, of the sparkling lights strung across the lampposts, and of the giant tree in the center of town. The enormous winter green tree—from which Winter Grove got its name—was the centerpiece of the town's Christmas Tree Festival.

"Wow."

Celeste turned, her copper curls bouncing around her heart-shaped face.

Alicia, Celeste's best friend and roommate, had stepped out of her bedroom and was looking around their small living room. Her dark eyes had gone wide, sparkling as they caught the light.

"Wooow," she said again. "You've been busy, Cee."

Celeste gave her friend a sheepish grin. She had been busy. She had decorated their small living room with every bit of festivity a college student's budget could muster. Hundreds of twinkling lights were strung across the walls; hand-cut paper snowflakes hung from the ceiling by fishing line so it appeared they were floating in the air; and on their small TV in front of the bricked up fireplace was playing a video of a crackling fire accompanied by soft holiday music.

"All you're missing is the tree," Alicia said, admiring the scene.

"I was thinking it was something Jared and I could do together," Celeste said, warmth blooming across her freckled cheeks. "When we go to the festival tomorrow, I want to pick up a tree and bring it back here to decorate it."

She couldn't stop the smile spreading across her face as she thought of it.

Alicia looked fondly at her friend. "That sounds like fun."

"I just hope he likes it," Celeste said, pressing her lips together as she looked at her handiwork. "I know not everyone is as Christmas-crazy as I am."

"He's been your boyfriend for two years, I think he's probably noticed your all-consuming love of the holiday season," Alicia said with a chuckle. "Besides getting a tree, do you have plans for the break? Sorry, dumb question—I know you must have a plan."

Of course, she did. Celeste took a deep breath and started counting out all her ideas on her fingers. "Today, after he's done with his final exam, he'll come over for cookies and Christmas movies. Tomorrow, we'll go to the festival and get the tree. And then next week, we'll finish our Christmas shopping, and go look at the lights. We'll be spending plenty of time at the festival, too, and—of course—we're going to the festival's Christmas Eve Ball. I already bought the dress I'm going to wear."

Alicia just stared at her with a blank look. Celeste couldn't tell if she was impressed or a little scared.

"You really have it all figured out, don't you?" she said after a moment.

Celeste just shrugged as her cheeks went even pinker. She blushed so easily. "My grandma always said, 'Living life without a plan is like making cookies without a spoon!'"

Alicia giggled. "What does that even mean?"

"I'm not quite sure," Celeste said with a giggle of her own, "but she was right. A plan is how you make the magic happen."

"Yeah, yeah," Alicia said, flopping down on the couch. She put her feet up on their coffee table and wiggled her toes in her thick knit socks like she could feel the warmth of the fake fire. "But you know, a little spontaneity can be fun, too."

"Maybe. But now is not the time to leave anything up to chance," Celeste said with a sigh before sitting down beside her. "It's going to be mine and Jared's first Christmas that we actually get to spend together. I want it to be special. I want it to be perfect."

Alicia's eyes softened. "Aw, Cee, I'm sure it will be. If anyone's got it covered, it's you. You're very sweet to plan all this for Jared."

"It was the least I could do," Celeste said, "after he invited me to spend Christmas with his family."

"Meeting the folks," Alicia said, with a knowing nod. "That's a big step."

"It is," Celeste said and her face felt hot again. Jared was her first real boyfriend, so she had never 'met the folks' before. The idea of it made her whole body hot like she was one of the logs roasting on the TV. She started to tug at the neck of her soft cream sweater. "W-What if they don't like me?"

"Have you met you?" Alicia said, rubbing her friend's arm. "You're amazing! They'll love you, I'm sure of it."

"I hope you're right," Celeste said, letting out a big sigh.

"Oh, I am," Alicia smirked, looking very pleased with herself. "When exactly are you supposed to meet them?"

"We're going to spend Christmas Eve here after the ball, and then Jared will drive us out the morning of Christmas day," Celeste explained. "Their place isn't far, just a couple of towns over. So, we'll have the next couple of weeks to spend together, alone."

"Oh yeah, you will," Alicia said as a mischievous grin spread across her face. She gave a big laugh and started nudging her friend with her elbow. "You two will have the apartment to yourself! Looks like you're gonna end up on Santa's naughty list."

"Oh, cut it out! It's not like that!" Celeste said, smacking Alicia's elbows away as her cheeks flared up again. She didn't need her best friend's dirty mind tainting her perfect holiday plans, so she changed the subject. "What about your plans? Are you excited for your trip to Whistler?"

Thankfully the distraction worked. Alicia hung her head over the back of the couch and groaned. "Ugh, no! I still have so much to pack!"

"You're not done packing yet? Don't you fly out tomorrow?"

"Hey, not everyone can plan as perfectly as you!" Alicia protested, sticking her lower lip out in a pout. "And there's not enough room for everything. It's like my suitcase shrank when I wasn't looking!"

"Do you want to take my suitcase?" Celeste offered. "It's bigger than yours."

Alicia sprang up, her eyes glittering in the lights again. "Really, Cee? You'd do that for me?"

"Of course!" she said. "It's not like I'm going to need it. I only need to pack a day's worth of clothes when we go, so you can have my suitcase for the holidays."

"Oh Cee!" Alicia cried and threw her arms around her friend's neck. "You are the best friend a girl could ask for."

"So are you," Celeste said, hugging her back.

They pulled apart just as a buzz sounded throughout the apartment—their apartment intercom. Someone was at the door, wanting to be let in.

"Oh! That's probably Jared now!" Celeste said, perking up. "Do you want to join us to watch Christmas movies? We're gonna make hot chocolate."

"And be the third wheel? No, thank you!" Alicia groaned and stuck out her tongue. "Besides, I got a date with a suitcase. Where is it, again?"

"Under my bed," Celeste said as she got up from the couch and headed over to the door. "Do you want to go grab it while I let Jared in?"

"Yessiree!" Alicia jumped up and ran off down the hall, towards Celeste's room at the very end. Almost immediately Celeste could hear the noise of her best friend rummaging beneath her bed.

Celeste chuckled to herself as she headed for the intercom panel beside their door. She pressed the button to talk.

"Helloooo?" she said in a sing-songy voice.

"It's me," came Jared's familiar voice crackling over the ancient speaker.

"Buzzing you in!" Celeste replied. She pressed the next button and the annoying buzz rang out again. She heard the door downstairs open and close, then his steps hurrying up the stairs.

Soon enough there was a knock at their apartment door. She rushed over and unlatched the lock before throwing it open with a smile.

Jared was there, but he wasn't smiling. In fact, he looked downright grim. His dirty blonde hair was disheveled and his eyes were slightly red, almost as if he'd been fighting back tears.

"Hey," Celeste said, her smile dropping away. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," Jared said, though he clearly wasn't. "Can I come in?"

He didn't wait for an answer before brushing past. He pulled off his heavy winter jacket and shook off the snow, but didn't hang it up on the usual hooks by the door. Instead, he kept it folded over his arm.

Celeste's stomach dropped. Something felt wrong, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it. She hoped his downer demeanor was just pre-holiday jitters or maybe residual nerves from his exam. Maybe his last test had gone badly. Their movie night was meant to be a celebration of finishing their semester, but maybe it could be a way to soothe his sorrows instead.

She opened her mouth to ask, Alicia chose that exact moment to burst out of her room.

"Found it!" she called from the end of the hall. She raised Celeste's empty suitcase over her head to show off her prize. "Thanks again, Cee! I hope I didn't make too much of a mess of your room—Oh, hi Jared!"

"Hi," Jared replied, not even looking in her direction.

"Don't worry, you lovebirds," Alicia snickered as she danced down the hall, dragging the suitcase after her. "I'll be locked up in my bedroom, packing, so I won't be bothering you. You two can enjoy yourselves without worrying about interruptions!"

She waggled her eyebrows at Celeste. She didn't wait for a reply before she disappeared into her own room.

Celeste just stared at Alicia's closed door, stunned. How could her best friend not feel the change in atmosphere? Everything had gotten so cold and heavy.

But, maybe it was just all in her head...

"How'd your test go?" Celeste asked, hoping to break through the icy frost that had settled over them.

"Fine," was all Jared said.

"That's good," Celeste replied, fighting to keep her voice steady. "I'm happy to see you." She approached him for a hug...

But he stepped back from her.

Now she was sure of it—something was wrong. Very, very wrong.

"What's the matter?" she asked, unable to keep the trembling from her voice.

"Maybe we should sit down," Jared said, stepping around her. He threw himself down on the couch, still clutching his coat.

"Do you want something to drink?" Celeste said. Now all of her was shaking, not just her voice. "Or maybe a cookie? I made them for movie night. They're in the kitchen, and I can grab you whatever you w—"

"Not right now," Jared said, simply. He wasn't looking at her, just staring blankly at the fake fire still playing on the TV. Its soft Christmas-y soundtrack, which had sounded so sweet, now felt so very out of place. "Please, sit down."

With no other excuse, Celeste did as he asked. She sat next to him, perched right on the edge of the cushion. She clenched her hands in her lap, trying to keep them still.

"Did something happen?" she asked, her voice soft and small.

Jared shook his head. "No."

"Then what is it?"

Jared took a deep breath and finally looked at her. His brows pressed together and his eyes shone like he was about to cry.

"I'm so sorry, Cee," he said. "But I think we need to take a break."

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