*Lilia's P.O.V*

I woke up with a feeling that I'd forgotten something. Like today was a special day but I couldn't figure out why. I then looked at my phone and smiled for the first time in a long time when I saw the date, while simultaneously scolding myself for being so stupid. It was December 25th. It was the most magical day of the year. It was my favourite holiday ever. It was Christmas.

I got out of bed and stayed in my reindeer onesie to go downstairs.

I entered the living room, earning "good mornings" from Dad, Joe and Alfie and a very enthusiastic "Merry Christmas, Lilia!" from Zoe.

"Good morning, and Merry Christmas." I giggled.

"How did you sleep, love?" Dad asked me, which was clearly code for "how are you feeling today?"

"I slept alright, thanks, and I feel a little better today." I answered truthfully but the only reason my mood was up was because it was Christmas Day.

"That's great, Lils." Joe smiled at me and I smiled back as Dad stood up from the armchair.

"Right, who's up for some Christmas pancakes?" We all cheered like little kid before going into the kitchen. After having little Christmas tree and snowman shaped pancakes for breakfast, which were absolutely delicious, we all went and got dressed. I tried to dress as Christmassy as possible and wore my green Stitch jumper that said 'Dear Santa, I can explain...' and a pair of torn up black skinny jeans. I made sure all my accessories were Christmas related, which included a black lace Christmas tree choker, my Christmas charm bracelet from Pandora and a pair of red and silver crystal reindeer earrings. I put my hair in french braids and did my makeup, adding a berry coloured liquid lipstick. Lastly, I popped my Christmas tree case onto my phone and slipped my glasses on before going downstairs.

I met everyone in the living room where the gift giving commenced.

From Dad, I got a pink Apple Watch which I was obviously extremely grateful for, but I also felt a bit guilty because I knew how expensive it must've been.

In return, I got Dad some Paco Rabanne cologne.

Next, it was time for Joe and I to exchange gifts. He got me a new Canon camera and a ringlight which, again, made me feel a little bad because it can't have been cheap. I got Joe loads of stuff from AllSaints because I know it's one of his favourite places to shop for clothes and whatnot.

Next up was Alfie, and his gift to me made me very excited.

"I know how much you love this show." He stated as he handed me several wrapped presents. I let out a happy squeal when I unwrapped them and saw he'd bought me a bundle of Stranger Things stuff. Jumpers, t-shirts, phone cases, all sorts.

For Alfie, I got him a cool pair of Nike trainers and then lastly but by no means least, it was Zoe's turn. She got me a beautiful set of rose gold bracelets, a really cool holographic mandala phone case and the Kat Von D contour palette.

And then for her, I got a cinnamon spiced vanilla candle from Bath & Body Works and some cute house plants.

All in all, I'm absolutely in love with everything I received, but I loved giving and seeing everyone's reactions to what I got them even more.

For the next hour or so, I sat in my room playing with my new camera and Apple Watch until Dad called me down around noon for Christmas dinner. I put my new toys down on my bedside table and went downstairs, where Dad had laid out a whole feast. He went all out with roast chicken, pigs in blankets, Yorkshire puddings, brussel sprouts, the lot.

"This looks amazing, Dad." Zoe said as we all sat down, Joe, Alfie and I all nodding in utter agreement.

"Thank you, Zo." Dad smiled. It wasn't long before everyone started tucking into their food. Everyone except me.

He was gone, I knew he was gone. I knew he couldn't hurt me, but I could still hear Callum's voice in the back of my head, warning me not to take a bite.

"You're already fat enough, just think about what an embarrassment you'll be if you eat any of this." I could imagine him saying that and it was hard for me not to burst into tears right there at the dinner table.

"Lilia, are you okay? You've just been staring at your food for, like, five minutes." Alfie finally snapped me out of it.

"Uh, yeah, I just think maybe I had too many pancakes this morning." I chuckled, going with the first excuse I could come up with. Luckily, it was believable.

After a few more minutes, I managed to pluck up the courage to at least pick up my fork.

'Come on, Lilia, get it together,' I mentally snapped at myself. Eventually, I convinced myself to eat something, I just hope no one saw how much my hand was shaking as I lifted a forkful of chicken and gravy to my mouth. I ate barely even half of my plate and after we did crackers (yes, we used the ones from Zoe's Christmas range), I decided to go back upstairs.

"Don't be too long, we're going to Nan and Granddad's at 3!" Dad called as I was walking up the stairs.

"Okay!" I called back. I went into my room and flopped down on my bed where I ended up falling asleep.

*

I opened my eyes, finding that I was still in my room, on my bed where I'd fallen asleep. I slowly got up and walked towards the door but it suddenly slammed shut and fear consumed me when I saw who had been behind the door. Callum.

"What the hell are you doing here?" I growled, trying not to show how truly terrified I was.

"Now, Lilia, is that any way to talk to your boyfriend?"

"You're not my boyfriend, you're nothing but a bully to me." I spat.

"Shut the fuck up!" He roared, making me jump, "You shouldn't have eaten that dinner. Look at you, you're so fucking fat and ugly. You should've listened to me."

"I-I had no choice, my-my whole family was there." The tough front I'd put up had all of a sudden dissolved.

"Why didn't you throw it back up?"

"I-I fell asleep, I'm sorry."

"You've disobeyed me for the last time, you useless whore." He began walking towards me and that's when I noticed the penknife in his hand.

"N-No, Callum, no, please..." I tried to run away, but I couldn't move, it was like I was paralysed. I kept screaming, shouting, pleading for him to stop but it was no use. He was centimetres away me when he put the knife to my stomach. He pressed it down, more and more into my flesh until...

*

"Lilia... Lilia, wake up..."

I shot up, panting and sweating as if I'd just run a marathon, my eyes wide as they darted around the room.

"Lils, calm down, it's only me." That familiar husky voice said softly. I looked over at Alfie who was sat on the edge of my bed, my eyes filled with tears.

"Hey, hey, it's okay." He cooed, concern evident in his brown eyes. He pulled me into his warm embrace and I wrapped my arms around him, clutching onto him tight as I squeezed my eyes shut, silent sobs leaving my body. He held me close, rubbing my back and occasionally kissing my forehead until I calmed down.

"Can you tell me what happened, love? And why you struggled so much to eat your dinner?" He asked me gently.

I took a deep breath, not wanting to tell him but knowing I had to, "Callum..." My breath hitched in my throat just from mentioning his name, "Even before things got...ph-physical, he pretty much made it his daily mission to make me feel shit about myself. He constantly put me down, reminding me all the time of how embarrassingly fat and worthless I am a-and... It got to a point where he wouldn't let me eat anything, and if I did, h-he would force me to throw it back up... So, today, even though he's gone and he can't get to me, I still felt bad about eating the Christmas dinner and just now... I had a nightmare and I was so scared, Alfie. He was here, i-in my room and...and he had a knife a-and he was going to punish me by...b-by..." I took short, quick breaths, trying not to cry but only making it worse.

"Oh god, Lilia," He took my small hand in his larger one and I looked up to see tears in his own eyes.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you before." I muttered.

"Don't worry about that," He gave my hand a squeeze, "But you will have to tell Zoe, Joe and your parents about this."

"I will... But not today, not on Christmas." I said and Alfie nodded in understanding.

"And, listen to me, Lilia," He began, making me look at him, "All that stuff, that bullshit that Callum put inside your head, it's not true, okay? You're not embarrassingly fat or worthless, do you understand me? You're the complete opposite. You're beautiful and you're the strongest, most incredible teenage girl I know. You're worth so much to so many people, and you're loved by so many people, including me, don't you ever forget that, alright?"

I just nodded, accidentally letting a sob escape as tears ran down my face uncontrollably.

"Come here," Alfie pulled me in for another hug, gently rocking me back and forth, "I've got you, love, don't cry."

"I just wanted to be happy today, I wanted to be happy for Christmas but he's taken that away from me as well." I whimpered against Alfie's chest.

"Hey, Christmas isn't over yet, you can still have a happy afternoon. I came up here to wake you and tell you we're going to your Nan and Granddad's now, they make you happy, don't they?"

"Yeah, they do." I cracked a small smile, "Thank you, Alf."

"You don't need to thank me, munchkin." He kissed the top of my head. I calmed myself down, touched up my makeup and fixed my hair before Alfie and I went downstairs. I put on my original Timberland boots, my army green faux fur coat and my grey pompom beanie before leaving the house with everyone else.

We all soon arrived at Nan and Granddad's and Mum was there too, which really cheered me up. Obviously, Mum knows about everything with Callum, as do Nan and Granddad, and of course, they've all been just as amazing and supportive about it as everyone else has been. I really am lucky to have the family I've been given.

At Nan and Granddad's, more gift giving happened. From Mum, I got a really cool pair of bright, colourful New York City skyline Converse which I'm absolutely obsessed with.

I got Mum the same candle as I got Zoe because I know she'll love it just as much as my sister.

From Nan and Granddad, I got a beautiful pair of rose gold flower earrings.

And for them, I got Nan some Anais Anais perfume and I got Granddad an Elvis Presley vinyl because I know they've got a record player and I know how much Granddad loves Elvis.

We stayed round Nan and Granddad's for a couple hours before we decided to head home.

At around 8pm, I was sat in the living room watching one of my all time favourite Christmas movies, The Polar Express, when Zoe and Joe walked in.

"Hey, Lils." Zoe grinned as they sat down either side of me.

"Hey." I smiled back suspiciously. I got the feeling they were up to something.

"Here," Joe said out of the blue, handing me a small wrapped box, "It's from both of us."

"We decided to save this present for now." Zoe added. I gave them curious eyes before unwrapping it, revealing a navy blue velvet box.

"Open it!" Zoe urged. I giggled at her excitement, opening the box to find a gorgeous rose gold heart necklace inside.

(ignore the original writing)

"Oh my god, guys, it... it's beautiful." I beamed.

"Turn it over." Joe ordered. Once again curious, I turned the necklace over to reveal cursive writing engraved on the back that said:

'Lilia,
Side by side or miles apart, we will always be connected by the heart and we will always love you just the way you are, never forget that
Zoe & Joe xx'

"You guys," I whispered, tears in my eyes as I looked up at my siblings, "This is... This is the best thing I've ever gotten. I love it so much, I love you guys so much."

"Aw, Lils." Zoe smiled, tears in her own eyes. They both wrapped their arms around me and I giggled as we shared a really cheesy group hug.

I honestly felt like the luckiest girl on the planet right now. I had the most amazing family god or the universe or whoever could give me. And this Christmas, sure the days leading up to it were the worst of my life, but I got to spend today with the people that I love most in the world and I got to give and receive some wonderful gifts, so I'd say today has been pretty magnificent.