Ink's POV

  I zipped my suitcase and looked out the window of the dorm. Snow was falling and students were beginning to leave for the holidays as our winter break had finally started. I had a plane ticket that was for my trip home as I wanted to spend the time off with my family.

  I heard a yawn which drew me in the direction that it came from. I saw that Error had woken up and he was sitting on his bed while rubbing his face. He noticed me and gave me a morning hello.

Error: What time do you leave?

  Using my fingers, I gave him seven in count. He nodded before leaning against the wall on the other side of his bed. I continued to finish my packing, mentally keeping track of needed things for the trip. I thought quietly before snapping to get Error's attention.

Error: What is it?

Me: "Were you able to find your hanukkiah?"

Error: Yeah. I found it in my rented storage. Luckily I was able to find it before Hanukkah started.

  He said while showing me a picture that he had taken of the multi-branched candelabra neatly wrapped in bubble wrap in a box.

Me: "What are your plans?"

Error: On the eighth day, I am going to FaceTime my family and do recitations, prayers, and songs with them since they don't want to leave Argentina and I don't have the means to get there since my passport expired.

He shrugged yet he had a somewhat sad expression that he couldn't go home to celebrate Hanukkah with his family. I patted his knee lightly before standing from the floor. I took a secure grip of my suitcase and headed to the dorm door. Error met me there, shaking off his tiredness.

Error: I'll see you later. Have fun.

  He said to me, pulling me into a hug. I blushed and leaned into his chest to enjoy his warmth before having to leave. After a few seconds we pulled away and smiled. I gave him a silent wave and left.

(Time Skip)

  I woke up in an unfamiliar bed. I quickly panicked but then realized that I was in my childhood bedroom at home. When I arrived at my house the day before, I reunited my parents and then immediately crashed in my bed and fell asleep.

  A quiet groan came from me as I shifted to grab my phone from the nightstand. I checked my notifications and saw that I had a video message from Error that was sent to me yesterday. Tapping on the small box, I opened the app and played the video.

  I saw Error's hanukkiah in the video. Then, he took the ninth candle centered in the middle and used it to light the first. When the candle was lit, I heard Error speak out a small cute "yay" before ending the video. I smiled at the video before turning off my phone and getting out of bed.

  Walking down the stairs, I saw my mother cooking breakfast and I even saw my grandmother in there with her. The two women were talking and laughing with one another as they did their part for breakfast. I hugged my mother from behind and kissed the top of her head.

Mom: Good morning, Ink

  She greeted me sweetly. I tapped her shoulder, letting her know that I had a something to tell her. She turned her attention to me and waited patiently for my hand signs.

Me: "Where is dad?"

Mom: He went to the store to get last minute things. He should be home any second now.

  My family had always planned to do the holidays the day after I arrived home as grandma was always busy on the day of Christmas. We didn't celebrate it as a holiday but we did do the traditions of it because it was time spent as a family.

  Breakfast was finally finished. Mom asked me to plate the dining table and set drinks down for everyone. As if with perfect timing, dad walked through the front door. He took off his coat and hung his hat on the hanger next to the entrance.

  After greeting me he joined his mother at the table, who had already found her place nearest to the window. My mother set the food on the dining table and motioned for me to join them.

  Grandma and mom had cooked cinnamon pancakes. A small platter of room temperature butter was placed next to the large stack as well as a warm bottle of maple syrup. Small bowls filled with cut fruits, such as strawberries and bananas, were put in front of my father and a recently brewed pot of coffee was between mom and I.

I grabbed two pancakes and poured a little syrup on it, cutting off a small piece with my fork and then eating it. The pancakes themselves were fluffy and light with the soft taste of cinnamon. The maple syrup added that nostalgic sweet taste that brought back anyone's childhood memories.

Mom looked up from her plate towards her husband across the table.

Mom: What's wrong, honey? You seemed frustrated when you got back form the store.

Dad: "The cashier was slow and wanted to start a long conversation with me."

Mom: What else? That can't be everything.

  He shook his head, picking up his fork once more and beginning to eat. I kept silent, quietly eating my breakfast. That is, until my grandmother spoke to me.

Grandma: How's college?

Me: "Good. A lot of homework but good."

Grandma: And your friend?

Me: "He is celebrating Hanukkah alone in our dorm. He couldn't be with his family this year."

Grandma: That's a shame.

  I nodded in return. My family of four continued to eat breakfast. My father had finished first. He clapped his hands before standing up from his chair.

Dad: "What is our plans for today?"

Mom: We were going to put up decorations.

(Time Skip)

  I sat next to the window of my house, peering over the rest of the neighborhood from the higher elevation. My sketchbook rested on my lap with an unfinished drawing on the page.

  Mom and grandma decorated the tree together while dad cooked dinner for the night. Unsurprisingly, it had taken all day to decorate the house for the upcoming holiday. The sun had set and it was already night. The nearby houses were beginning to light up for the night. Red and green twinkled on the roofs and there was a soft orange glow that came from the windows.

  I looked down at my sketchbook and dragged my pencil against the paper. I was recreating the scene that I saw to keep the memory for as long as I could.

  My phone suddenly pinged which broke my attention from the sketch. Error had sent me another video. It was same as yesterday but instead, he was lighting the second candle. It made me happy that Error was finding the joy in a holiday that he couldn't celebrate with his family in-person

  I smiled as I put my focus on the drawing again. Buildings slowly appeared as my pencil glided against the paper.

  The rest of my family relaxed on the couch. They called my name and asked for me to join them. Closing my sketchbook, I walked over to the couch and found a spot on the L-shaped part. I rested my head on my mother's lap to which she started to gently pet me.

  It would be a while before dinner would be done so we had a lot of free time to spend together. We watched game shows together, making fun of the contestants that answered something stupid to an obvious question.

(Time Skip)

  I laid in bed for the night. After my family enjoyed a great dinner, we watched a few movies. Gradually, one by one, we stood up and left for our bedrooms. I was the last to go to bed.

  Just before I was planning to start sleeping, I received a FaceTime call from Error. I turned on a small lamp next to my bed before accepting it.

  I saw Error laying on his bed as well. He wore a comfortable looking dark blue sweater and the room was dark except for the light from the phone.

  I waved at me before signing.

Me: "Hey. What's up?"

Error: Nothing. Just wanted to call and check on you. How are you?

  I gave him a thumbs up and asked him the same question. He sighed, resting his head against his favorite pillow.

Error: Lonely but I'll manage. I've been chatting with my family through calls and texts so you don't have to worry about me.

Me: "Good."

  After a few more minutes of catching up, I wished Error a good night before hanging up the call. I rested once more on my bed and turned off the lamp to let darkness fill my bedroom. A yawn slipped from me as I grew more tired. Error seemed to noticed.

Error: I guess I will let you get some sleep. Happy Holidays, Ink.

Me: ...

"Happy Hanukkah, Error"