The inside was cold, the weather outside was colder, meaning only one thing. It was the holiday season. Not just that, but it was the first holiday that Jeremy would be spending with his soon to be stepbrother Evan Hansen, and his mom Heidi. Everything had to be perfect for when they came over according to his dad, which was something he never expected to hear out of his mouth. Mr. Heere always got like this when Heidi was coming over. Anything to impress a lady.

  Jeremy just didn't want things to be awkward for him and Evan. They had hung out occasionally since they'd discovered they would be much closer in a few months, but things could still get uncomfortable for them. Jeremy had taken the liberty to introduce the other boy to his friends which he seemed to like. He was aware of Evan's social anxiety issues and was afraid that the others would be too intense for him, but they all took a liking to each other right away. Evan had returned the gesture and introduced Jeremy to his own friends.

  What the two boys had discussed was probably getting both groups together to get to know each other and kinda help with the sudden shift in their lives. Jeremy liked Evan, he was a nice kid. He was a little intimidated at first considering Evan was a whole grade level above him, but when he met him he realized there was nothing really to be afraid of. Evan felt the same about Jeremy, not knowing how he would react to more family being added into the picture.

  All in all, just seeing the way Mr. Heere and Heidi looked at each other made everything worth it. It made the boys realize that they should think of their parents happiness and give it a chance.

  Just as Jeremy was cleaning up his room he got a call from Michael. He sounded pretty excited about whatever it was he had to talk about.

  "Dude! Is your evening free?" He asked.

  "Um- not entirely."

  "We're doing a thing at Jake's house and you and Evan have to come!" Michael whined.

  "Come on, you know we have a family thing later." Jeremy tried to tell him.

  "But the whole gang is gonna get together to have a holiday extravaganza! It's gonna be a nice tradition-neutral party."

  "Alright alright, I'll see. Don't get your hopes up though."

  "I'm sure your dad would like some alone time anyway if you know what I mean-"

  "Ew! Michael why would you say that." Jeremy cringed as his friend erupted into laughter on the other end of the line.

  "Ok, sorry sorry. But for real, you gotta be there." With that, the two hung up and Jeremy heard the doorbell ring throughout the house.

  "I got it!" He called to his dad as he made his way downstairs and to the door. He opened it to reveal Evan and Heidi. "Hey guys! Come on in, it's pretty cold out."

  "It's good to see you Jeremy. Isn't this exciting, our first holiday!" Heidi smiled as Evan gave a little wave.

  "Yeah! Definitely. We're glad you two could make it out." He smiled. The two of them came inside just as Mr. Heere showed up.

  "Heidi, Evan, great to see you guys." He smiled.

  "Thank you for inviting us over Paul. It's always good for the boys to get to know each other a little more." Heidi smiled warmly at him.

  "Oh, um. About us hanging out?" Jeremy spoke up. "My friend Michael invited me and Evan over to this little holiday get together our friends are having and I was wondering if maybe after dinner we could go?" He asked tentatively. The two parents looked at each other.

  "I don't know Jer-"

  "I think that sounds like a great idea!" Heidi was all smiles while Mr. Heere looked at her.

  "You really think so?"

  "Well I don't see why not. It'd be good for them to get some interaction in, especially if all of their friends are going to be there. What do you think Evan?" She asked her son. Evan fidgeted a little not appreciating being put on the spot, but he shook his head regardless.

  "I'm fine with it... it sounds fun." He insisted.

  "Well I guess it's settled then." Mr. Heere smiled. "We'd better go ahead and get dinner set up so you boys can get going before Michael shows up to personally take you." They laughed knowing how impatient Jeremy's friend could be. The dinner went well, everyone laughing and talking as some stories were shared. As soon as the two boys finished eating Jeremy quickly got ready to go, Evan kinda trailing behind him.

  "So... everyone is going to be there?" He spoke up to his stepbrother after a moment. Jeremy turned to him nodding with a smile.

  "Yeah, I guess they've been keeping in touch to plan all of this out. No doubt Christine is the head of this operation. You ready to go?" He asked. Evan nodded and the two of them went outside where Michael was already waiting for them in his trusty P.T Cruiser.

  "Heyyyy it's the two bros! Five feet apart because-"

  "HEY MICHAEL!" Jeremy greeted the boy loud enough to cut him off. "Got room in that thing for two more?" Evan looked between the two friends confused but with humor in his eyes.

  "Hop on in. Christine's been blowing up my phone wondering where we are." Michael looked at Evan. "She can be very enthusiastic. Her and Alana are getting along well."

  "Sounds about right." Evan laughed a little. The three of them set off towards Jake's house. Evan looked out the window, eyes going wide once he saw the Dillinger residence. "Wow, this place is nice! Perfect for parties. Do his parents know we're doing this?"

  Jeremy and Michael shared a glance. "Uh... it's a long story there Ev. Don't worry, they're used to this stuff." Jeremy told him. Once they got out of the car Christine was the first to greet them at the door, all smiles as usual.

  "You're here, welcome! Happy Hanukkah! Merry Christmas! Happy Kwanzaa!" She immediately listed off.

  "Um, does anyone here even celebrate Kwanzaa?" Michael asked.

  "Does it matter?" Christine answered intimidatingly.

   "Jerry! You made it! And you brought that adorable stepbrother of yours!" Brooke appeared in the doorway grabbing Jeremy and Evan's hands and pulling them in. "Welcome! We have everything set up. It's a total winter wonderland."

  "Hey Brooke, good to see you." Jeremy smiled. Evan nodded in agreement, blushing lightly at the fact that Brooke was holding their hands still. It also felt really nice to actually have people be happy to see him. Brooke continued to pull the boys through the house until they made it to the living room where the rest of their friends were waiting.

  "Heere's here!" Rich screeched from across the room for those who didn't know.

  "Thank you for that Rich." Jake cringed but smiled nonetheless. "Welcome bros. This holiday neutral party can get into full swing now!" All around the house lights were strung up and decorations for both Christmas and Hanukkah adorned throughout the house. It was pretty nice. Although something seemed to be missing... but what was it? That's when they all heard Christine exclaim loudly from the kitchen. "WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU FORGOT THE TREE?"

  Jeremy and Evan shared a glance before following Michael to find out what was up. In the kitchen Christine was confronting Jared and Connor. "Ehhh you know... we just forgot the tree." Jared avoided her eyes.

  "But it's the main centerpiece of this entire operation! We have the lights, the decorations, the Menorah, but no TREE? Connor how could you let this happen?" Christine turned to him.

  "Leave it to my brother to mess something up." Zoe rolled her eyes as she passed by.

  "Fuck off Zoe." Connor rolled his eyes back.

  "Language!" Christine huffed.

  "My bad." Connor stuck his hands in his hoodie pockets.

  "Well I was going to pick a tree but someone who's name rhymes with donnor, decided not to write it on the list while we were at the store." Jared glared at Connor.

  "Well I was trying to ask you what tree we needed but someone who's name rhymes with dumbass, was too busy flirting with some guy." Connor glared back.

  "Hey! I was trying to get us a deal!"

  "Oh really? I thought you were just trying to be annoying and get into his pants!"

  "I'll show you annoying-"

  "Alright enough! It doesn't matter! We're treeless anyways." Christine got between the two's bickering. "What are we going to do?"

  "W-well there's one thing we could do..." A voice spoke up amidst the yelling. Everyone quieted down to see it had been Evan.

  "Oh yeah? And what did you have in mind tree boy?" Jared asked him crossing his arms. Evan paused for a moment, not sure about all of the attention being focused on him. He took a breath after a moment and decided it would be ok to speak.

  "Back when I was working at the park we had to do little activities on certain days for like, when field trips for the grade schools happened, and we were in charge of coming up with activities. One of the activities I liked to show the kids was how to make like little paper trees, to show em about nature and stuff. I'm pretty sure we'd be able to whip up some sort of make-shift Christmas tree? If... if you um have some paper we could use?" He stopped after his little idea was said hoping for a positive reaction

  Everyone exchanged a few glances before Jeremy spoke up first. "That's actually a really good idea Ev." He smiled looking to Christine next. "I think if we all help to fold some paper we could get this tree complete in an hour tops. What do you think?"

  "I think that just might turn this entire night around!" Christine answered excitedly. "Jake! Show me where your arts and crafts are!"

  "My what?"

  "Or- just take me to your parents office!" She dragged Jake along.

  "You really think my idea is a good one?" Evan asked sort of surprised.

  "Of course I do bro." Jeremy answered smiling. Evan beamed at that. Pretty soon Christine and Jake had managed to wrangle up some sheets of paper which were distributed among the teens. They all took seats in the living room, Evan in the main vicinity so they could watch what he was instructing.

  "And one more fold, and you should have a shape like this." Evan held up his piece of paper.

  "Mine doesn't look like that." Jared pouted.

  "Because you suck." Connor noted.

  "You bet I do." Jared answered winking which earned him a threatening glare from Connor.

  "Alright, now we just have to put them together like so." Evan looked around for someone's piece to take. Zoe offered hers which caused him to blush lightly. "Thanks." He smiled shyly before proceeding to stick the two pieces of paper together. "Now if everyone can pass their papers this way we can build up." He instructed. After a bit of people passing paper to him their tree was about medium height. Evan smiled proudly up at it, very relieved his plan had worked.

  "Oh my gosh! It looks amazing!" Brooke snapped a photo. "Nice job Evvy!"

  "You being a nerd finally paid off." Jared commented.

  "Everyone give my big bro a hand!" Jeremy smiled clapping. Everyone gave a small round of applause for Evan.

  "That was good thinking Evan." Zoe smiled standing beside him to admire the tree as a few of the others decorated it.

  "Thanks Zoe... heh i-it was nothing." Evan was blushing again.

  "The Holidays have been saved!" Christine cheered.

  "Hooray! God bless us, every one!" Rich popped up speaking in a terrible British accent.

  "Rich." Jake shook his head. "Don't ever do that again."