My eyes slowly flutter open. The bright ray of the sunshine glowing through the curtains and into the small room, waking me.

Charlie lay beneath me. His bare skin illuminating under the sun's rays. His golden locks fell messily around his face. His arm was wrapped securely around my back, while my head rests on his chest as it slowly rises up and down.

I smile— truly and completely content.

"Morning," Charlie's grins, his voice rough from sleep.

"Morning," I say, my fingers tracing slow, small circles over his bare chest.

"Merry Christmas Eve, Eve."

"Eve, Eve?" I ask curiously.

He grins, oh how much I've missed that smile.

"Yeah, you know. The night before Christmas Eve. Christmas Eve, Eve," Charlie says so matter-of-factly. As though it were the most obvious thing in the entire world.

I lean my head up closer to his, placing a gentle, loving kiss on his lips.

"What's that for?" He asks playfully, a smile etched across his sleepy face.

"I just love you," I say earnestly. Although my guilt for hurting Jack was still scratching at me, my love for Charlie was all consuming. I was entirely happy, for the first time in forever— and for once— I was going to let myself bask in it.

"Well, in that case..." Charlie says jokingly, flipping us over so he was on top, straddling my waist, gently cupping either side of my face and placing sloppy kisses all over me.

"Charlie," I laugh, pushing him off, as he falls to the other side of the bed with a soft thump.

"Is it true?" Knox exclaims loudly, bursting into the room. Neil, Todd, Meeks and Pitts follow closely behind, piling into the small space.

"I told them not to," Neil says— always the voice of reason.

"So it is true," Meeks says incredulously, upon seeing a grinning half-naked Charlie laying next to me in the small bed.

"Okay peeping Tom's, how'd you find out?" Charlie says lightly, wrapping his arm tightly around my waist.

"Knox saw you going into Violet's room last night," Pitts says, to which Knox smiles proudly.

"Told you— I know what I saw," Knox spoke defensively— "it's a Christmas miracle."

Neil rolls his eyes playfully, walking deeper into the room. "My train's tonight at 7:00, anyone wanna share a cab?"

"I'm leaving tomorrow morning," Knox says.

"Me too," Meeks quips.

Leaving? I give the boys puzzled glances.

"For the holidays," Todd offers, speaking for the first time since he trailed behind the boys into my room.

"Oh, right," I say, a rather pathetic attempt to veil my growing disappointment.

I hadn't been able to spend much time with the boys lately. With Charlie and my's' situation, I became withdrawn. Not to mention, my parents sent me that note weeks ago, reminding me of their holiday plans— none of which involve me.

Though I can't say I'm surprised. Still the mere thought of spending the holidays alone at Welton plagued me. Going down to the large, vacant dining hall for a bland turkey dinner. Having no one to wish me happy holidays, or listen to cheesy Christmas music on the record player with, while the fire roared, and the tree lights twinkled.

A smile crept onto my face just thinking about it. Although I had no right to be upset, my smile fell just as quickly as it came.

"Violet?" Knox urges.

"I'm ugh- well I'm staying here for the holidays."

The boys give me wide-eyed glances. Their mouths hung slightly in shock. Though we all had our... issues with parents, clearly being child-less for the holidays was a line even their parents wouldn't cross.

"I'm fine, really," I say, only this time a little more convincing.

"That's not fine!" Knox says incredulously, running an angry hand through his neatly-combed locks.

"It's alright, just come home with me." Charlie says casually.

"I don't think your parents would take too kindly to you bringing some girl home," I say honestly. Admittedly, I was rather nervous to meet Charlie's family.

"Not 'some girl'," Charlie says mocking my tone.

"My girl."

"Ugh!" Pitts groans at Charlie's poorly veiled flirtation.

My cheeks grow hot as I feel the crimson blush creeping onto my skin.

"I have an idea!" Neil announces excitedly, grasping the attention of everyone in the room.

"Meet me in the common room tonight."

"-but your train?" Meeks asks bemused.

"Forget it, just be there."

The boys scatter quick and far, leaving me and Charlie to the quiet of the room once again.

~

Sunday's at Welton could be quite boring, but today was especially so. I hadn't seen any of the boys since early morning, and Charlie disappeared shortly thereafter.

I sat by the main entrance, admiring the thick, white snowflakes falling ever-so-slowly from the fluffy clouds.

I glance at the book perched open on my lap, repeatedly distracted by the hustling students rushing out into the cold snowy weather to catch their transportation home.

Home.

I suppose I was happy for my parents. As the frigid breeze from the opening doors blew through the hall, I thought of how nice a warm vacation would be. They'd be enjoying themselves— but so would I. Though, it felt like they seldom thought of what I

would like.

It's not to say they've been bad parents— just distant ones. Which I suppose may go hand in hand. While the thought saddens me, it makes me increasingly grateful for Charlie and my friends. I've felt more at home with all of them than I ever had with my own parents.

The sun set and the clouds darkened. The snow still danced about in the sky, falling onto the ground and glistening under the glowing street lamps.

"Hi, baby," a soft, soothing voice spoke from above me, sinking onto the floor next to me.

"Hey," I smile, as he wraps a warm arm around me, gently pulling my head into his chest. My senses filling with his woodsy cologne.

"It's freezing down here." Charlie shimmies out of his navy Welton blazer, wrapping the jacket around my frame, and rubbing my shoulders for warmth.

"Better?"

"Much."

He smiles, pulling me onto his lap, his fingers gently stroking strands of my head. I felt instantly relaxed. The stressful thoughts of my parents totally escaping me. I couldn't even be upset as he tossed my book from my lap, losing its page.

We sat like that for some time. Gazing out the foggy window, watching the snow continue to fall, clung closely to each other for warmth, as the cold breeze blew in and out with every exiting student.

"I have a surprise for you upstairs," Charlie whispers, his hot breath sending shivers down my spine.

"What is it?" I ask eagerly.

"If I tell you, then it wouldn't be a surprise."

I smile. Charlie knows I hate surprises. Although I had a gut feeling whatever it was, I'd like this one.

He gently removes me from his lap, standing to his feet and extending his hand for me to take.

"Just trust me, Vi," he says earnestly, lacing his fingers in mine and guiding us towards whatever is awaiting...