When I wake up I know that something is different.

I don't know what it is, but something isn't the same. Bright lights fill my eyes. When I look over I see a Christmas tree and oresents neatly tucked under it.

Streamers are hung acrose the ceiling. The most amazing things is the lights. Ever since I was little lights were always my favirote things during the holidays.

My mom and I used to fill our whole house with lights. I smile and cry a little from the memory.

Is it really Christmas? I cant believe its almost new years. Its like time has stopped for me. I was in too much pain to realize that the Earth was still spinning.

"MERRY CHRISTMAS!" I hear a loud uproar.

When I look up I see a group of people all filling my hospital room with big smiles and trays of food.

Food. Real food. Not the gross hospital fopd that I've had to eat.

My dad is leading the crowd. I smile when we make eye contact.

He leans over and hugs me "Merry Christmas"

"Thank you Daddy"

He just grins and moves out of the way.

Cayla and her parents greet me. They give me hugs and kisses.

"Merry Christmas" Her mom and dad say in perfect unison.

"Same to you, but you didn't have to travel all the way here on Christmas."

Her mom gets serious and looks me in the eye "Sweetie, you were there beyond expected for Cayla in her time of need. We will always be in debt to you"

They both walk away while I look down and blush. This of course leaves Cayla standing at my bed.

"Merry Christmas" she hands me a gift

When I unwrap it tears form in my eyes. Its a picture of me and Cayla when we were younger. Its my favorite picture.

Cayla was wearing right pink. we were standing on the grass and the sprinklers went off out of nowhere. My mom snapped the picture at the perfect moment. Im laughing and tring to cover yself while Cayla is just standing there arms crossed with a sassy look. No care in the world.

"I love you" I reach my arms out we hug tightly.

Theres a note attached and I go to open it but she stops me.

"Don't. Open on a day you feel alone. Cause itll help you remember that I'm always here"

"Do you happen to have 365 more of these?" I ask partially joking and partially not.

"Things will get better" she walks over to a stero that has been set up and turns on some Christmas tunes.

Nathans parents are the next people to approach me.

I would be lying if I didn't say that they looked sad. Who could blame them? They just lost their son. And ther son was as great as.. well as Nathan was.

"Merry Christmas" I start up the conversation.

"Merry Chrstmas dear." His mom saws warmly while his dad just nods.

His mom begins to pull out a gift from her purse.

"You didn't have to get me anything" I sincerely say

"We didn't. Nathan did" His had fills in

His mom looks at me and says "He has been working on this for months. He left it for us to give to you in case he didn't make it."

I laugh bitterily "Good thing he planned ahead."

"He loved you so much sweetie" his mom replies

"Well thank you. Thank you for bring this to me. What should I call you"

"Im Pam"

"And Im Jesse"

"Thank you Pam and Jesse, so much."

They both give me weak smiles and walk away.

I stare at the gift for a minute and then I put it down on my bedside table.

The next familiar face that I see is very unexpected. I cant believe that he is here. I mean its very suprising.

"Luke!" I squeal from excitment

"Alison!" he grabs me and pulls me into a huge hug

"I cant believe you here!"

"I got a call from your friend Cayla so I came here right away. While not right away, but pretty soon. I had to convince my parents to let me miss Christmas! I told them your situation and they agreeded."

I just hug him in response to that. "Luke, I love you. Youre the best"

He backs away and says "Whoah! Are you hitting on me?"

I laugh knowing that he is referencing our metting on the flight when I thought that he was going to flirt wth me.

"Ill be here tomorrow. Theres some long overdue ice cream and chick flicks wuth your name one it!" He kisses my cheek while I giggle.

When I look up at the door a whole group of my old friends from my old school are all walking in. They all greet me with hugs and looks of worries.

I smile and assure them all that I'll be alright. I also thank everyone for coming. I am so happy that everyone came to make my day.

After an hour of everyone being together and laughing to more people walk in. One boy walks that I remember as "the super cute waiter".

Cayla squeals and runs into his arms. He catches her and for a small moment I feel a twinge of jealously. But I push that feeling away.

Cayla grabs his hand and jumps down from his arms. They walk over to me.

"Aly, you may remember our super cut waiter. His name is Adam and we hit it off. I was going to tell you but we just started getting serious." she introduces him.

Adam smiles and sets down a styrophone cup with a lid and straw on my table. "Rootbeer for you"

I laugh "You remembered."

"I most certaintly did"

"You better not hurt her" I notion to Cayla "If you, you wont be very happy."

"I understand"" He responds

"Good"

We both nod in agreement

"Well this isn't akaward" Cayla sarcastically adds

From behind Adam I see Kevin walking up.

Kevin from the coffee shop. I haven't seen him since I found everything out.

"Could I have a minute with Aly?" He politiley asks

Cayla gives me a weird look but Adam pulls her away to go see Cayla's parents.

"Hi." He stands there akwardly

"Hey Kev."

More akwardness. Neither one of us says anything. We both just keep our mouths shut.

Finally he breaks the silence "Aly, I know that you're hurting right now. And I just want to be your friend. I think that your really great."

"Yes."

"Yes what?"

"Yes I'll be your friend. And maybe one day when my heart is healed there will be something more than that, but for now, just friends." I respond

"Merry Christmas" he hugs me and walks over to greet Pam and Jesse.

Wow. That actually went well.

My dad starts to quiet everyone down and he pauses the music.

"I have something to say! Please listen everyone!"

Everyone hushes up and my dad starts to speak but I stop him.

"Actually daddy, I have something to say. I just want to thank everyone once again for being here. All of you mean so much to me. I've been going though a very hard time lately and I felt like giving up, but you all have showed me that I should never thought anything like that. You guys are all here when I really need you. I am overly grateful for that. This holiday isnt about what I don't have, its about what I do and I have a lot. So once again, thank you. Merry Christmas." By the end of my speech I am crying and everyone sorrounds me and hugs me.

A nurse walks in and offers to take a picture. Eveyone squezzes in real close and crowds around my bed. Then we all smile for the camera. I don't know about everyone else, but my smile is very real.

**

The present from Nathan was heart with his name on it. He left a note saying he leaves me his heart.

**

After everyone has left and we all ate, I am sitting in my bed.

"Merry Christmas Nathan." I look up and see all the lights

"Merry Christmas Aly"

"I missed you today, but everyone made it bearable"

"You'll always miss me. But im always here. I promise."

I sigh as I think about him more. I love him so much. But there could possibly be something with Kevin in the future.

"There's this boy. I don't want anything even close to now, but I could see a future with him once I don't miss you as much. Are you alright with that?"

"Of course. Aly, if it makes you happy in the future then go for it. I'm gone. At this point the only one that has to let go is you. I'm okay with anything that you want. As long as you're safe."

"Thank you Nathan. Goodnight, I love and miss you"

"I love and miss you most."

I catch his kiss, put it to my heart and go to sleep.

**

Thanks for the read! Comment and vote please!

Also I was reading back some and this should be over by now, but its going to be a little bit longer than expected. Not much. Have a great day! :)