Alicia

There was nothing like Christmas in Winter Grove.

Snuggled into a cozy corner of the Rocky Mountains and aglow with thousands of twinkling lights, the little college town was an idyllic place to spend the holiday season. The lights strung throughout the city made even the darkest night shine. As the shimmering lights caught on the flakes falling from the sky, it was as though the stars themselves had been embedded in the sparkling snow.

Alicia Whittaker didn't catch any of the town's magic. She was lost in her phone, her thick mahogany waves forming a curtain between her and the world while she sat at the bar of The Snowball's Chance. Even the steaming mug of hot chocolate sliding across the bartop, sent over by owner and friend Olly Sinclair, barely got her to raise her head.

Olly had to lean forward to catch her eye. His eyebrows raised in silent question.

You okay?

Alicia shot him a quick smile, but it didn't reach her large, dark eyes. They were usually bright, lit from within like the deepest amber, but today, the light had gone out.

Olly frowned at her, but she didn't see it—she had already gone back to her phone.

She had been drawn back by the email at the top of her inbox. It had only arrived this morning, but she already read it a bazillion times. She couldn't stop herself, as though the words might change if she read it one more time...

'We regret to inform you that you have not been accepted...'

The words blurred, sudden tears stinging at her eyes. Her long lashes fluttered, trying to chase off the tears before they slipped free and smudged her mascara.

Olly, still watching her from across the bar, saw it all. He hurried over, his fair features tense with alarm. "Alicia? What's wrong?"

"N-Nothing!" she said quickly, forcing another smile. One good blink and the tears were gone. Her eyes still stung. Hoping for a distraction, she reached for the hot chocolate and took a long, dramatic sip. Her following hum of satisfaction was just dramatic but honest. The hot chocolate was absolutely delicious—creamy and sweet, earthy and rich. It was almost too rich, but the added bite of peppermint liqueur balanced it out nicely.

"This is so good!" she said to Olly. A bit of light was back in her eyes. "Did you make this?"

"Obviously not," he said, his eyes piercing right through her. He'd known her too long and too well to fall for her distractions. "Cut the crap, Alicia. Something is wrong. What is it?"

"I said, it's nothing," she said, carefully dabbing the hot chocolate's whipped cream from the corners of her mouth to not disturb her lipstick. She needed to look her best tonight. "Absolutely nothing."

Olly pushed his bleached blonde hair out of his face and leaned across the bar. He was wearing the tackiest of tacky Christmas sweaters—a mad pattern of Santa's sleigh over and over and big, bold letters that read 'DEAR SANTA, NICE IS BORING'—that only slightly undercut his stern look.

"Tell me, or else."

Now, it was Alicia's turn to glare. Olly was like an older brother to her—an annoying older brother who knew exactly how to push her buttons.

"Or else what?" she challenged.

"Or else no more hot chocolate." Olly pulled the mug away.

Alicia gasped in offense and pulled it back.

Olly yanked it away again. "Tell. Me."

Her full lips pursed together as she considered it. She really could use someone to vent to, but now just wasn't a good time—

Something slammed into Alicia, nearly knocking her off the barstool. It took hold, squeezing tight. Alicia tried to wiggle free, but the something held tight. Then she caught a glimpse of dense red curls and realized that she recognized this something.

Celeste Brighton, her roommate and best friend, was clinging to her.

"What would I do without you?" cried Celeste, tightening her grip.

"If I mean so much to you," Alicia gasped, "maybe you should let me breathe!"

"Oops," Celeste said with a giggle, loosening her grip. She plopped down on the stool next to Alicia, her copper curls bouncing around her heart-shaped face. "I'm sorry. It's the nerves. I'd be having a melt down right about now if you weren't coming tonight."

Olly heard that and raised an eyebrow at Alicia.

Alicia pretended she didn't see. "But I am coming, Cee, so you don't need to worry. It's going to be fine. Better than fine. It's going to be great."

"I know, you're right, you're right," Celeste said, taking a deep breath. It calmed her a little. "See? You're already helping. Thank you."

"It's the least I could do." Alicia grinned. "After all, I am basically responsible for the two of you ending up together."

"You're not wrong," Celeste said with another giggle. "If you didn't call in that favour of yours, he would've never gone along with with that ridiculous scheme of mine. Faking a date with a stranger to make my ex jealous? It never should of worked... But now look at us! We've been together for almost a year, and now he's about to meet my parents!"

She let out another laugh, but this one came out a bit shrill.

Olly and Alicia exchanged a wary look.

"Do you need a drink, hon?" Olly offered.

"No, Olly, I'm okay. Thanks though."

Alicia leaned forward to pat Celeste's arm. "Don't worry. Your parents are going to love him."

"O-Of course they are, I know that," Celeste said, though it didn't sound as if she did. "I'm just worried because..."

In the far corner of the bar, a door slammed open, and everyone in the bar turned to look.

Out stepped a tall, heavily muscled man dressed all in black. His cutting gaze cast around the bar, and the other regulars shrank back and looked away. With his jet-black hair, sharp features, and steely stare, he looked more than a little intimidating.

Sterling Holt. Former bouncer. Current bartender. He was an old friend of Olly and Alicia's brother...

...And was now Celeste's beloved boyfriend.

Celeste stared at Sterling and sighed. "...because first impressions can be misleading."

Alicia bit her lip. She wished she could pretend like she didn't know what Celeste meant. Looking at him, most people would think Sterling was scary.

But Alicia knew better.

Sterling spotted them in the crowd, and suddenly, a smile broke through his severe expression. The smile transformed him, chasing back all his shadows and making him glow. Celeste returned his glowing smile with a sigh, and he headed their way. He scooped Celeste into his arms and they shared a tender kiss.

Alicia smiled as she looked on. It was quite a sight to see sweet little Celeste in her pastel pink dress wrapped in the arms of the fearsome Sterling. She could see how some people thought they were mismatched. But despite their contrasts, they fit together perfectly—like puzzle pieces.

She was happy for her friends, but there was a flutter in her chest, a dull ache, that made her wonder when she might find something like that of her very own...

Behind the bar, Olly was busy assessing Sterling's outfit. "Went with the turtleneck, then? Looks good on you."

Sterling stood back to let Olly get a proper look. He tugged at the neck of the sweater as though it was a little too tight. "Yeah, I figured a turtleneck might be a good idea to, uh, help paint me in the best light."

As he continued to tug, the neck of the sweater pulled down enough to reveal a glimpse of his extensive tattoos.

Olly gave him a sympathetic look. "Well, you look great."

Sterling's cheeks reddened. He averted his eyes. "I just hope Celeste's parents like what they see."

"I'm sure they will," Alicia said. "You're a great guy, and they'll see that."

Celeste's parents were a little, well, square, but she knew they wouldn't let a little gloom cloud their vision.

"They're going to love you," Alicia continued. "Plus, I'll be there. I'll hype you up!"

That softened Sterling into a smile. "Yeah, I'm sure that will help."

Alicia huffed. "It will—"

"Actually, Alicia, why are you going to dinner with Celeste's parents?" Olly piped up. "Isn't this 'meet-the-parents' thing usually just for the couple? Not the bestie-slash-fifth-wheel?"

Alicia scoffed. "Hey! Her parents wanted me there!"

"It's true," Celeste said with a laugh. "My parents love Alicia. When they heard she'd be in town, they asked for her to come."

"That's right!" Alicia said, tossing her hair and batting her lashes at Olly. "And who could ever resist my charms?"

Olly rolled his eyes. "Well, you are hard to argue with, I'll give you that. Somehow you always get your way."

"Not always," Alicia said as her thoughts flashed back to the email. She took a swig of her hot chocolate, a bigger gulp than usual, to swallow the sudden lump in her throat.

Olly's eyebrow raised again. Celeste noticed, too.

"What are you talking about?" Celeste asked.

Alicia cleared her throat. "It's noth—"

"Oh my god, stop with the 'nothing'," Olly warned, "or I'll take your hot chocolate away—for good, this time."

Alicia shook her head. "It's not a good time. I mean, we're about to go off to dinner! We should be focussing on Sterling and Celeste's big night—"

"Hey, that doesn't mean we don't have time to hear what's wrong with you," Celeste said, gripping her shoulder. "If it's important to you, it's important to me. What's the matter?"

Alicia's eyes prickled for a different reason this time, but she managed to fight off the tears once more. "I... I heard back from the exchange program."

"You mean the semester at Hallow College in England?" Olly asked. "The one you've been applying to since your freshman year?" Grove University had partnerships with schools around the world that allowed for a select few students to take a semester abroad.

Alicia nodded and sighed. "That's the one."

"Oh!" Celeste's eyes brightened in recognition before dimming again as she realized what Alicia's muted tone meant. "Oh."

"This was my last chance and I didn't get in," Alicia confirmed. "I was waitlisted."

"Waitlisted?" Olly said. "But doesn't being on the waitlist mean there's still a chance?

"Without a Christmas miracle, I doubt it," Alicia said with a hollow laugh. "Who knows how many people are ahead of me of on that list? It's a competitive program. No, I think I've just got to accept it for what it is—a rejection."

"Oh, Alicia, I'm so sorry!" Celeste cried. "I know how much you wanted this!" She threw her arms around her friend again, though this time with much less strangling. Olly and Sterling reached over to pat Alicia on the back, offering their own sympathies.

Alicia had to fight off another wave of prickling tears. "Thanks, guys."

"But look on the bright side," Celeste said, resting her head on her best friend's shoulder. "At least we get to spend our final semester at Grove University together! And I'll do everything I can to make it our best one yet. We'll do all the things we loved while we were here—revisit our greatest hits. Hungover brunch at the diner, picnics at Holly Lake, rom-coms and cinnamon rolls from Mirth bakery. We'll have the best semester ever!"

"Thanks, Cee," Alicia said, her voice trembling. "That sounds really amazing. We'll make the most of our remaining time... Starting with Christmas."

"Yes! Let's make this the best Christmas ever!" Celeste gave her a squeeze. "I am sorry, though. I really wish you could've gone to England, but I'm selfishly happy you're staying. I would've missed you like crazy. I really don't know what I would do without you."

Warmth spread through Alicia. She squeezed Celeste back. "Okay, that's enough, or you're gonna make me cry off all my makeup."

Celeste giggled just as her pocket began ringing. "Oh! That's gotta be my parents! I told them we'd meet them at the hotel and give them a tour of Winter Grove before we head to dinner."

"Right," Sterling said, taking a deep breath. "I guess it's time."

"You're going to be fine," Olly assured him. "Do you want a shot of liquid courage before you go?" He gave him a big wink.

Sterling's face fell into a grim frown. "No."

Olly shrugged. "Then all I can offer you is good luck."

"I'll take all I can get," Sterling sighed, pulling on his coat before helping Celeste into hers.

"You'll message me when you get to the restaurant, right?" Alicia said as the couple donned their hats and scarves.

"Yep! We'll let you know when we arrive. See you there!" Celeste said, giving her one last squeeze before they headed for the door. They stepped into the cold, leaving a chilly breeze in their wake.

With a shudder, Olly turned back to Alicia. "You've been invited to dinner, huh?"

Alicia narrowed her eyes. "Uh-huh..."

"You're meddling again, aren't you?"

"I'm not meddling!" Alicia cried. "Celeste was stressed and freaking out so I kind of... offered to come along."

Olly stared her down. "I thought Celeste said her parents wanted you there."

"They do," Alicia said with an innocent shrug. "I just may have, uh, hinted that I was available and they jumped at the chance. Like Celeste said, they love me."

Olly looked almost impressed. "You really do get your way, don't you?"

Alicia squared her jaw. "Not always."

"But often enough," Olly replied, shaking his head, knowing the argument with her was a lost cause. He sauntered away to help another customer, leaving Alicia to sip at the dregs of her hot chocolate. "Whatever. Send my regards to the Brightons, and have fun being the fifth wheel!"

"I will," Alicia said with a sniff and took another sip of her hot chocolate.

✨

And so it begins!

The story is back after some revisions! I'll be posting two chapters every day until December, so remember to add the story to your library so you can follow along!

Happy reading and Happy Holidays!
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