Xander.

I stared at the sliver of paper in my hand.

Xander.

I was back at square one.

"Goddammit!" I exclaimed, maybe a bit too loudly as I trailed behind Aaron, Mischa and April through the Michael Kors store in The Grove. "What the heck am I supposed to get for Xander?"

"How 'bout a glove and a bat," Aaron suggested.

"Aaron," I narrowed my eyes. "Get real."

"I am!" he exclaimed. "Get him some new cleats or, or a gift card to Dick's or a jock-strap or something."

April and Mischa stopped, laughing.

"Very funny," I said, scowling at my brother. "This is serious, okay? I'm really blanking here! I don't want to give him something sucky."

My brother rolled his eyes. "Yeah, because we all know how that feels."

"Look, I've been trying to be a better gift-giver this year, alright? I'm putting real thought into my presents, now."

"Took you 19 years."

"Seriously?" April teased. "So we won't be disappointed with our gifts this year?"

"Are you kidding?" Aaron exclaimed. "You guys get good gifts from Thalia. I'm the one who gets stuck with something shitty."

I stuck my tongue out at him. "It's the thought that counts, Aaron."

"But, Thal, I'm your brother, remember?"

I nodded. "Exactly, so you should love whatever I get you no matter what."

"Yeah, right!"

I pushed away from my brother. "Seriously, guys. I need some good suggestions."

Mischa looked up from the glass case of watches. "I'll help you with Xander if you help me with Eliza," she said.

"No fair!" April exclaimed. "You've got Eliza? She's easy."

I nodded. "Yeah, Misch. She loves anything trendy and girly. Buy her anything out of Teen Vogue or Cosmo's fashion section and she's golden."

April pointed to me. "What she said."

I turned to Ap. "Who do you have?"

April stuck out her tongue. "Ugh, fuckin' Nico. What the hell am I going to get him? Collin would have been easier."

"No way," Mischa said, shaking her head. "I'd take Nico any day. I barely know what Collin's voice sounds like."

April whipped out her phone. "I'm asking Collin for help. He'd know what I should get Nico."

"That's a great idea!" I exclaimed. "I'll ask one of the guys for help! Thanks, Ap."

"Ah," she flicked her eyes to the ceiling, "it's nice to be appreciated."

I grabbed my phone. After Secret Santa, somehow I'd wound up with all of the boy's numbers. Obviously, I didn't mind when a certain someone gave me his, but it was an added bonus that Jamie, Eliza, Mischa and April had taken the boy's digits too. It made me feel like we really were all coming together. Like, finally the past could be just that, the past.

At first, I thought I'd ask Roman.

Then, I didn't.

I didn't want to come off as doing to much, or have him think that I was trying too hard...

I shook my head. "He likes you, Thalia. He likes you..." I repeated over and over to myself. But, then I concocted an idea that didn't make me want to gag with nervousness. I decided to send a group text to both him and Tucker. That way, I wouldn't be on edge waiting for him to text me back.

They were my two favorites, anyway.

Well, and I guess so was Nico, but I didn't include him in my texts. I didn't need even more of Xander's friends to know I had him. I wanted my surprise to stay a secret.

I scrolled through my contacts, looking for Roman and Tucker, also known as The Bad Twin and The Fighter.

Hey guys! I texted. Let's say hypothetically if someone might have pulled Xander's name for Secret Santa, and they had to possibly get him a gift, what do you think that person should maybe sort of decide to get for him?

I fired off one more.

TR - You know, hypothetically speaking of course. :P

I grinned as Roman's name flashed across my screen.

RC - Subtle. I like that.

I bit my lip, smothering a laugh. I swear, that boy would be the death of me.

TW - Damn...Nico told me that you had ME.

I smiled to myself.

Sometimes, I just really did love them.

TR - Sorry to burst your bubble. Forgive me, Tuck? ;(

TW - Only because you're so cute.

I walked towards the door, letting my laugh filter towards the open air and sunlight.

My phone buzzed again in my hand.

RC - Collin's confused too. We're going out tomorrow. Want to come? I'll pick you up.

I snorted loudly. "Do I?"

TR - DO I?

TR - HELL YEAH I DO.

I could almost hear them laughing at my stupidity.

RC - Now it's a party.

TW - Hell yea it is.

RC - Pick you up at 3 Thal. :)

That smiley face made my day. Seriously, I stared back at it like it was a marriage proposal.

He did like me, he did!

But, then again I could have been reading too much into it...

Nah.

I walked up behind my friends and fist-pumped, sticking my phone back into my purse.

"And just like that," I stuck a thumb to my chest, "I have a date."

April and Mischa squealed together. "With Roman?"

"Yep!" I nodded.

They squealed again.

"And Tucker!" I exclaimed. "I'm going out with Roman and Tucker!" I smiled. "It's a new dating trend. Ménage à trois for dinner, get it?"

I threw my head back, unable to contain my amusement at the sight of my friend's fallen expressions.

"You're just--just dumb," Mischa laughed.

"My hopes were soaring like a majestic, glorious eagle," April sighed. "Now they've just crash-landed into a ball of flames."

I laughed aloud. "Sorry to burst your bubble," I said, throwing my arms around each of their shoulders, "but it was just too easy."

"Someone's been spending a little too much time with Nico," April grunted, shaking out of my grasp.

I tapped my chin thoughtfully. "Maybe..."

"You know," Mischa began, "I don't know how I feel about that."

"Surprisingly, neither do I," I replied. "But hey," I shrugged, "I'm about to continue my streak of present-giving-greatness. Xander'll be another happy receiver. This is good."

Aaron regarded me skeptically as he rejoined us in the women's section of the store. "I sure hope so..."

"Half full, Aaron," I exclaimed. "When you're with me, your glass has to be half full," I sighed. "What don't you all get about that?"

"In all seriousness, Thal," Aaron began, grabbing my arm, "maybe you should do something a little more..." he shrugged, "I don't know, personal than just buying some gift?"

"Like what?" I asked.

"Sounds like your brother wants you to sext Xander, Thal," April said with a shudder. "That's the only way things can get more personal than that. Can you say creepy?"

Mischa grinned. "Aaron, that's a terrible suggestion!"

"A terrible sextgestion!"

"Okay, fuck no," Aaron exclaimed, dragging me away from April and Mischa as the two practically fell on too of each other, laughing now on the opposite side of the store.

"Y'know, Aaron," April continued, because once she got on a roll there was no way of getting her off, "sexting has been getting a lot of girls in trouble lately, in case you didn't know! What kind of brother are you? It's like you don't love Thalia at all!"

The sales clerks in the vicinity all suddenly found our conversation way more interesting than repositioning manikins.

My brother, on the other hand, looked like he just wanted to die.

"Please know that that's not what I meant."

If I wasn't so horrified by the idea, I would have laughed along with my friends. They were cracking up. "Then what do you mean, Aaron?"

"I mean, Thal! You kind of suck at giving gifts."

"Umm, dude? Are you trying to help or tear down my self-esteem."

"No, see, listen," he began, "you only suck at giving gifts I've realized because you suck at buying them."

I stared at my twin through narrowed eyes. "Obviously, I'm missing the point."

"So," Aaron continued, "why don't you do something else, instead? Instead of buying something terrible, make something. You're like, the most talented artist I know, Thal."

"Hmm...?" I nodded. "Thanks, Aaron. I'll think about it."

"Okay," my brother said, letting out a loud sigh. "Good. No sexts, okay? Please god know that wasn't what I mea--"

"Yeah, gross, got it," I shivered, walking towards April and Mischa. "Yikes.Yuck. Blegh," I added for good measure, as I heard my brother mutter something about this being the reason he didn't like hanging out with us.

~*~

Oh Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree,

Thy leaves are so unchanging.

I sat, legs crossed at the foot of our Christmas tree, watching the multi-colored lights blink in the darkness.

"Oh Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree," I sang softly. "Thy leaves are so unchanging."

The bright bulbs cast shadows across angel faces and porcelain sleighs. Greens and reds and yellows and blues twinkled like stars in the reflections of glass bulbs that had adorned our trees since I was little.

Not only green when summer's here,

But also when it's cold and drear.

Oh Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree,

Thy leaves are so unchanging!

I took a deep breath, mug of hot cocoa in hand as I inhaled the crisp pine and apple-cinnamon candle medley burning on the coffee table. With warm chocolate in my hands, I realized that this was one of life's simplest pleasures. Though insubstantial, this moment was one of many in my two weeks home that would stick with me forever.

I loved Christmas. There was nothing I didn't like about the holidays.

The food, the family, the presents, the memories...Returning back to George Washington University hadn't once crossed my mind.

Oh Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree,

Such pleasure do you bring me!

"Oh Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree, such pleasure do you bring me."

"Thal?"

I turned at the deep voice, startling me from my song.

"Thalia Christine Rose, what are you doing awake?"

I smiled. "Hi, Daddy," I said softly.

My father stood in the doorway of the living room, hands on his hips as he shook his curly peppered hair. "Thalia, it's late."

I took a peek at the grandfather clock in the corner of the room. It was nearly tw0-thirty in the morning.

For every year the Christmas tree,

Brings to us all both joy and glee.

I smiled up at my father, pulling my fuzzy pink robe tighter around my seasonal penguin pajama set. "Happy Christmas Eve Eve," I said to my father.

He shook his head, staring down at me as he laughed softly, careful not to wake my mom or brother.

He crossed the floor, stopping beside me. "Is there room for one more?"

"Why, of course," I grinned, stifling a yawn.

My dad took a seat next to me on the polished oak floor, and together we sat, staring in silence at the tree.

Tomorrow, all of the gifts would be wrapped and placed. By then, my brother and I would attempt to guess who got each other what, who received the biggest box, and who out of all of us would receive the best presents from mom and dad.

Oh Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree,

Such pleasure do you bring me!

"Oh Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree, you'll never be unchanging."

We did that a lot, my dad and I. I was always his silent partner in crime. We could sit together, anywhere, and not speak. Our own company was enough.

I was a lot like my dad, I realized. Neither of us gave up very easily.

My mother said we were both stubborn. Obviously, Aaron agreed, but that never seemd to faze me.

I simply wasn't one to back down from a challenge.

After a while, he tapped my knee. "Hey, Thal," he began, as my eyes fell from the star atop the tree. "While I'm at it, I've been meaning to tell you, once you get your car from the O'Hara's, I wanted to get it serviced at a dealer before you take it out on the road."

"But Dad," I sighed, sharply inhaling the melted wax, "Xander's doing a great job. I mean, already he--"

"And I don't doubt the quality of Xander's workmanship," my father chuckled. "However, your mom and I would feel way more comfortable if it was professionally certified."

I blew out a hot, chocolatey breath. "Alright," I sighed.

"Thank you," my dad chuckled.

A symbol of goodwill and love

You'll ever be unchanging...

"She's nice, isn't she?" My dad's glasses reflected the blinking lights as he leaned against me. "Aaron told me she was yellow. I can't wait to see it go. I'm calling 'shotgun' right now."

I muffled my loud laugh with the sleeve of my robe. "Yeah," I nodded. "I'm so excited to drive it."

Each shining light

Each silver bell...

"Well," My dad rose with a stretch, "think of how beautiful the ocean'll be when you finally get to drive it," he shrugged. "Spring Break isn't that far away, y'know."

I rolled my eyes with a scowl. "Very funny, Dad."

"I can see it now," he chuckled to himself. "The wind'll be in your face, that ocean spray on your cheeks, bugs in your teeth," he tousled my hair.

"Thanks, Dad," I swatted his hand away. "You're the best."

My father laughed harder, now. "It'll be a beautiful experience," he said with a smile as he retreated slowly from the room. "And you made it all happen, Thalia. No one can take that away from you. This is all your doing, and that's what makes this all the more special. Remember that."

No one alive spreads cheer so well...

My father placed a quick kiss on my head.

"Goodnight, Little Flower," he whispered, using the nickname only he used for me; the nickname he used when I was little.

I smiled after my father as he slipped up the stairs.

"Goodnight."

Oh Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree,

You'll ever be unchanging.

-~*~-

Ahh, poor Aaron. Hah, he just can't win around the girls. 

Anyway, my opinions aside, who's your favorite? Who do you want to see more of?

There's more of everyone in this next chapter. I'll probablly update again before the weekend's over...Again, fingers are crossed.

Comment/vote/follow if you're feeling wonderful. <3