The sun had begun its lazy descent towards the horizon by the time school finally let out, casting a warm, golden glow across the quad. The group gathered their things, chattering excitedly about the ice-skating hangout  and the secret mission to warm Alayna's heart towards Christmas. Pearlia looped her arm through Alayna's, leading the way to her house with a skip in her step, her excitement for the holiday contagious.

"Come on, Alayna," Lucas called from a few steps ahead, "Pearlia's got hot cocoa waiting for us."

Alayna rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress the smile that tugged at her lips. "Fine, I'll bite." She quickened her pace to match her friends', their laughter echoing through the chilly winter air.

Cora, her wavy dirty blonde hair fluttering in the breeze, walked alongside Sander, her cheeks slightly pink from the cold. She felt a familiar comfort in his presence, his tall frame a reassuring shadow next to her. They had been best friends since childhood, but lately, she had been noticing something different in the way he looked at her—a spark that made her heart race every time their eyes met. She nervously bit her bottom lip, wondering if she was reading too much into it.

Zander, with his piercing blue eyes and light brown hair, caught up to the group, a bit out of breath from rushing after them. He gave them a wide, slightly nervous smile, his hands shoving into the pockets of his winter jacket. "Hey, guys," he greeted, his eyes lingering on Viktor before quickly looking away.

Viktor, ever the charismatic one, threw an arm around Zander's shoulders, giving him a playful shove. "Don't worry, Swane," he said with a wink, "We're just going to show Alayna a good time. No pressure, right?"

Zander chuckled nervously, his cheeks flushing slightly under his winter scarf. "Right," he agreed, looking at the ground.

They arrived at Pearlia's house, which was already adorned with twinkling Christmas lights and a small, snow-covered path leading to the door. The aroma of freshly baked cookies wafted from the kitchen, mingling with the scent of pine from the tree in the corner. Inside, the warmth of the house embraced them, a stark contrast to the cold outside.

As they shed their winter layers, Cora took her guitar case off her back with a dramatic groan. "This thing is heavier than my backpack filled with textbooks!" she exclaimed, earning a laugh from the others. The case was a cherished possession, a gift from her mother, and it contained a treasure trove of memories in the form of a beautiful acoustic guitar that she had learned to play during her quiet moments at home. Despite the weight, she had insisted on bringing it, hoping to serenade them all with a festive tune or two.

Her wavy dirty blonde hair fell in loose waves around her shoulders as she set the case down and unlatched it, revealing the gleaming instrument within. She pulled it out with a gentle touch, her blue eyes lighting up with excitement as she cradled it like a baby. "I figured I could have a little jam session," she suggested, her voice filled with mischief.

Sander couldn't help but smirk at her enthusiasm. "Careful, Cora," he teased, "you might just convince Alayna to strum a few chords."

Alayna raised an eyebrow, watching as Cora tuned the guitar strings with practiced ease. "I don't think so," she said, trying to keep her tone light. "I've got the musical talent of a brick wall."

Cora rolled her eyes playfully. "You've got more talent than you think," she said, her fingers dancing over the strings. The sound of her playing filled the room, a familiar melody that brought smiles to everyone's faces. "You've just never given it a chance. Remember when you tried to sing carols with us last year?"

Alayna blushed, her mind reeling back to that awkward moment. "You guys were just being nice," she said, shaking her head. "My singing voice is worse than a cat in heat."

"Hey, now," Lucas interjected, "I have a cat, and she's got nothing on you, Alayna. Besides, you've got the moves down, even if the notes need some work."

Sander grinned at the opportunity to share his love for his own feline companion. "Speaking of cats, my little furball, Fefe, goes nuts for Christmas. He loves climbing the tree and batting at the ornaments. It's like he's got his own little battle royale going on."

The room filled with laughter as they all shared their own quirky animal stories. Pearlia leaned against the wall, sipping her coffee, watching her friends interact with a warm glow in her heart. It was moments like these that made her believe in the magic of the season, even if Alayna didn't quite see it yet.

Her serenity was interrupted by the sudden chime of a notification. Cora's eyes darted to her phone, a crease forming between her brows as she read the message. "It's my mom," she mumbled, a hint of sadness in her voice. She stepped away from the group to respond.

"Everything okay?" Pearlia called after her, noticing the change in Cora's demeanor.

Cora sighed and nodded. "Yeah, she just got back from their photo shoot in Hawaii. My parents want me to come home tonight, help them unpack and stuff." She slipped her phone back into her pocket and returned to the group, her smile slightly forced.

"You can still come skating with us tomorrow, right?" Sander asked hopefully, his eyes searching hers for reassurance.

Cora nodded, her smile becoming more genuine. "Of course," she said. "It's just one night. I'll deal with the after-work-trip mess, and then I'm all yours."

The conversation shifted back to the upcoming ice skating hang out, with Cora reminiscing about the last time they had all gone together. "Remember when the twins tried to race?" She laughed, her eyes lighting up at the memory of her younger sisters, Bex and Liz, slipping and sliding all over the lake. "They didn't even make it halfway before they both face-planted into a snowbank."

Alayna couldn't help but chuckle at the mental image. "Your sisters are adorable," she said, a hint of warmth in her voice.

"Thanks," Cora replied, her eyes softening at the mention of her siblings. "They can be a handful when we play video games, but I wouldn't trade them for anything."

Her thoughts drifted to her younger twin sisters, who had always looked up to her. Despite their differences, they shared a special bond that only grew stronger with time. "You know, they're always asking about you, Alayna," she said. "They think you're so cool because you don't get all excited about Christmas like everyone else."

Alayna raised an eyebrow, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. "They do?"

"Yeah," Lucas chimed in. "They think you're the cool aunt who doesn't do the whole Christmas thingy."

The group laughed, the tension in the air momentarily lifted by the light-hearted banter. "Why don't you like Christmas, Alayna?" Pearlia asked, her voice gentle and curious.

Alayna paused, looking down at her hands. She twisted her fingers together, contemplating her response. "It's just not something we ever really... believed in," she said finally. "We have our reasons, personal family stuff we don't want to talk about. So, we just don't celebrate it."

Pearlia leaned in; her eyes filled with concern. "I'm sorry, Alayna. We didn't mean to push."

But Alayna waved her apology away with a smile. "It's okay, really. I appreciate you guys trying to show me a good time." She took a deep breath and stood up, her eyes sparkling with a newfound energy. "But remember, I have a surprise for all of you too."

The room grew quiet as the friends' exchanged glances, the anticipation wafting through them. Alayna clapped her hands together. "Come on, let's head over to my place. I promise it won't take long. Just don't get too excited yet."

Her words were filled with a playful challenge, and they knew she was holding something back. As they bundled up in their winter gear and stepped into the crisp night air, the excitement grew. The sky was a deep indigo, sprinkled with stars that twinkled like distant Christmas lights.

"I can't wait to see what you've got in store for us, Alayna," Lucas said, nudging her lightly.

"Patience, grasshopper," she replied with a smirk, leading the group through the gently falling snow.

As they approached Alayna's house, the warm glow from the windows beckoned them in from the cold. The door creaked open, revealing a cozy living room with a roaring fireplace and a tree that looked like it had been plucked straight from a storybook. The aroma of soft baked cookies and hot cocoa filled the air, making Pearlia's mouth water. Sander, noticing Cora shivering, wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her closer to his side.

"Looks like Alayna's got quite the setup here," he murmured, his breath warm against Cora's ear.

Indeed, Alayna had gone all out. The tree was decked with ornaments that shimmered like jewels, and the twinkling lights cast a soft glow across the room. Garlands of pine and holly adorned the staircase, and the scent of pine needles mingled with the sweetness of the cookies. Despite her earlier skepticism, Alayna's eyes sparkled with excitement as she took in her friends' surprised expressions.

Sander, ever the charmer, immediately picked up on the atmosphere and took charge. He playfully tugged at Cora's arm, guiding her to the couch. "Come on, Cora, let's get cozy," he said, a mischievous glint in his eye. She blushed at the gesture, but allowed herself to be pulled, enjoying the warmth of his touch. As they sat down, the couch cushioned them into a comfortable embrace.

The group gathered around the fireplace, their breaths misting in the cool air. Alayna passed out steaming mugs of hot chocolate, her eyes twinkling as she caught the way Sander had situated Cora. He took a sip, his gaze lingering on her, his thumb absentmindedly brushing against hers.

"Alright, so I know you guys think I'm some sort of grinch," Alayna began, her voice filled with amusement. "But I wanted to do something special for you all. I know how much Christmas means to you, and I figured, why not give you a gift?" She took a deep breath, setting her mug down on the coffee table. "So, I've got a surprise trip planned. It's to this little cabin in the woods, right by the lake. It's supposed to freeze there in a few days, so it'll be a perfect spot for ice skating."

Her friends exchanged glances, a mix of shock and excitement. "A winter vacation?" Lucas's eyes lit up. "That sounds amazing, Alayna!"

"Yeah, it's supposed to be a cozy little getaway," Alayna continued, her cheeks flushing slightly. "I figured we could all use a break, and maybe, just maybe, I could not Grinch down all of your Holidays."

Pearlia clapped her hands together, her eyes sparkling. "Ice skating! That's one of my favorite things to do! And a cabin in the woods? It sounds like a scene from a Hallmark movie!"

But Cora's expression remained uncertain. "Guys," she said softly, "my parents just got back from their trip, and I'm not sure they'll be cool with me leaving so soon." Her heart sank at the thought of their potential disappointment.

Sander nodded, understanding her concern. "Don't worry, Cora. I'm sure they'll understand how important this is to you." He gave her a comforting smile. "And if not, well, we've all got our ways of convincing people, right?" His eyes twinkled mischievously.

Pearlia leaned in closer. "What's going on?"

Cora sighed, fidgeting with the hem of her sweater. "It's just, my parents aren't... they're not big fans of Sander."

Sander's smile faltered for a moment, the room's festive cheer suddenly feeling forced. "Oh, come on," he said, trying to laugh it off. "They can't be that bad."

"They're pretty protective," Cora murmured, looking down at her lap. "They don't know you like I do."

Sander's jovial expression dropped. He knew Cora's family situation wasn't the most ideal, but her words stung. He'd always felt like an outsider, despite his best efforts to win them over. "Cora, I promise, I'll be on my best behavior."

"It's not about that," Cora assured him, looking up with a soft smile. "They just... they want what they think is best for me."

"How would they know? They're never aro-" Sander began to protest but was quickly cut off by Cora's raised hand.

"They just don't get it, Sander. They want me to be happy, but they don't understand how much you mean to me." Cora's voice was firm but gentle. She looked at him with those piercing blue eyes, and he could see the pain she was trying to hide.

"I know, Core," he said, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. "But we'll show them. We'll show everyone that we can have fun without losing ourselves in all the... sparkles."

Pearlia looked around her living room, her eyes lingering on the silver and blue decorations that adorned every corner. "Sparkles do have a way of making everything seem more magical." She winked at Sander.

Lucas nodded in agreement, his eyes shifting to Alayna who was quietly listening to their conversation from the couch. "But, Alayna," he began, his voice gentle, "you don't have to force yourself to love Christmas if it doesn't come naturally."

"I know," she murmured, playing with the hem of her dark sweater, "but I don't want to be the one who brings everyone else down."

Lucas looked at her with a soft smile, understanding the weight she carried. "You won't be," he assured her. "You're just giving us all a chance to show you a different side of Christmas."

Zander, who had been mostly silent, spoke up, "Guys, I'm not sure about the trip. I don't want to leave Mom and Zoey alone for too long." His voice was tinged with concern, his eyes flickering around the group.

Sander leaned back, his arms folded across his chest. "Come on, man. They'll be fine. You can't spend every holiday babysitting. Besides, we're not going far. Just the cabin."

The room grew quiet for a moment, the only sound was the crackling of the fireplace. Then, Pearlia spoke up, "You know what, Sander's right. We'll only be a short drive away. If anything comes up, we can rush back."

Zander's gaze met Cora's, and she offered him a small, hopeful smile. "It'll just be for a few days," she said, her voice gentle. "Your mom and Zoey can handle it."

He sighed, his hand running through his hair. "I know, I just hate leaving them alone. But if it's important to you guys..."

Cora nodded, her eyes shimmering with hope. "It is. I promise we'll be safe, and it's not like we won't be back before Christmas."

Maverick leaned back in his chair, his arms folded over his chest. "Alright, I guess it's settled then. We're going on a cabin trip. But I've got one question."

All eyes turned to him, and Pearlia raised an eyebrow. "What is it?"

Maverick's expression grew serious. "Who's driving?"

Sander's hand shot up eagerly, but Cora's was quicker. She grabbed his wrist and gently pushed it down. "I don't think you're the best choice for this one," she teased, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

"Hey, I've got my license!" he protested, trying to pull his hand free. But Cora held firm, a smirk playing on her lips.

"Maybe next time," she said, turning to Lucas. "How about you drive?"

Lucas looked surprised but nodded. "Sure, I can drive."

Pearlia's eyes lit up. "Great, that means we can all fit in his van and stick together!"

But Cora's expression fell, and she checked the time. "I'm sorry, guys. I have to go. My mom's probably pacing the floor by now."

"It's alright," Alayna assured her, "We'll start packing tomorrow. It's still early."

With a nod, Cora gathered her things, and Sander offered to walk her home, his hand lingering on her shoulder as they stepped into the cool evening air. The twinkling Christmas lights lined the sidewalks, casting a warm glow that seemed to dance in her blue eyes as they walked together in a comfortable silence. The occasional snowflake drifted down, landing gently on her hair like an angel's blessing.

As they approached her house, the tension grew, and Cora fidgeted with the zipper of her jacket, her nails tapping against the fabric. She knew her parents would be waiting for her, and the thought of their inevitable confrontation about her trip weighed heavily on her heart. Sander, sensing her unease, wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her closer.

"I'll come with you," he whispered, his voice a comforting rumble in the stillness of the night. "We'll tell them together."

"They really don't like you." Cora's voice was barely above a whisper as they stood on her doorstep.

Sander sighed, his hand coming to rest on her shoulder. "But you do, right?" He offered a hopeful smile, which she returned with a nod. "Then that's all that matters. We're in this together."

They entered the house to find her parents sitting in the living room, their eyes flickering from the TV to Cora and Sander with a mix of curiosity and disapproval. Sander took a deep breath and stepped forward, his arm sliding from Cora's waist to her hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze.

A/N

Alright so that's chapter 2! I really hope you enjoyed it. It took me a little bit, but I'm a fast writer. So, Alayna's surprise is that she's taking them on a trip to a cabin for Christmas, so how does that change up the gangs plans to get her in the Christmas spirit? 

Question of the chapter: Do you think Cora's parents will let her go on the trip, or will she have to sneak out and risk getting in deep trouble?

Love y'all, and happy holidays!