This chapter is dedicated to my little sis @VividhaVinod She's the one who inspired me the rangoli 🤩 Thank you for your inspiration and for your constant support! You're as beautiful and unique as a rangoli! I love you ❤😘🎄

"Penelope, get a grip!" I try to encourage myself – yes, I'm talking to myself, but this treehouse has witnessed much more craziness after all this time.

"Come on, Penelope!" Another rush of tears climbs up from the wrench inside my chest to escape my eyes at the sound of my name. It brings me back to Theone, when he's called me by my full name a few hours ago, and I definitely prefer 'Penny' rolling out of his deviously soft lips.

I've made no progress since I've run to this treehouse one or two hours ago. I'm not sure; I don't know what time it is, yet the cold is starting to invade my skin, even with my dad's thick insulation of the walls and my mom's extra cover wrapping around my curled-up figure.

I have to get out of here; I have to go to the Christmas dinner, but first, I have to stop crying. I have to take a decision. I know Theone has left me time, yet I won't be able to face him and pretend everything is fine, even less putting up more lies.

But how can I take a decision? It should be easy. I've had a plan, and I've planned to just stick to it. Yet this plan hasn't included Theone, and even less his declaration – I would have never expected that he could be romantic and in love, certainly not with me. 

This seems as surreal as witnessing Santa's flying sleigh, and this only sounds like a disillusion waiting to happen when coming back down to earth. I know it, and even if I've gone over and over the question, I always come back to what I've told him: it would be a disaster. 

Thus the choice should be easy; I should tell him that I don't want him, yet the crushing beats of my heart would never allow me to pronounce those words and watch the light disappear in his clear eyes.

Besides, there is another question: would pushing Theone away be choosing Aden? Through my spiraling thoughts, it hasn't really seemed like this. 

I've been so sure that I've been in love with Aden all this time. He has everything I could ever wish for; he's perfect. But now that I could have my perfect romance – because he's been about to tell me everything I've dreamed to hear, even if I haven't listened – it isn't fulfilling, overjoying, over-the-moon like I've expected. 

It's perfect, yet it lacks something, maybe the most important, and the kiss has made me realize what has been echoing somewhere in the back of my mind through a little whisper, of course in Theone's voice. This kiss, it's been everything I've planned, and I have no doubt Aden is a good kisser; his lips are sweet and really smooth, even softer than Theone's, yet they haven't erased Theone's taste.

I always come back to Theone. I would have never imagined that he could make me feel so much. His words, and just every moment shared with him, are replaying again and again in my head, and every thought, memory, and question are flying around, making my head dizzy like a snowman inside a shaken snow globe. Actually, I'm even suffocating, as it's a tempest growing inside the snow globe, and I'm stuck inside the glass with no escape.

I wish Theone could appear, just like yesterday, just like everytime... He always has the right words, and often, he doesn't even need words. I would be content with just the glimpse of his left dimple. But he won't come. 

I've really messed up this time, and I think – no, I know – that I've hurt him; I've seen it clearly in the jade shades of his eyes. So I'm alone now, with my dilemma, my spiraling thoughts, and no right answer.

I guess I'll have to just go back to San Francisco, find back my single life, and my romance movies nights. This is the safest, except for my aching heart.

I try to inhale a deep breath again, lifting my head to the fake stars on the ceiling. It's always soothed me, but now, you can guess to whom it brings me back.

I lower my head, shaking it like it could put my thoughts back in order. It doesn't, but at least, they stop all movement, freezing as my eyes catch sight of a shiny detail. How haven't I noticed it sooner? Well, I've had my eyesight quite blurry with the many tears.

It's smart to have put it here. I would have never thought about this place, and I've actually searched all around the house after I haven't found it under the Christmas tree. 

He really hasn't wanted for me to open it before. But now, it's Christmas Eve, so I can open it, right? I don't even question more, my fingers are already working on the striking gift paper. Yet I'm careful to not damage the red paper, finding it too precious for too many reasons.

My heart stops in anticipation in front of the simple cardboard box. Of course, Theone has put two packagings, and I'm sure, he's done it on purpose to get on my nerves. I definitely feel something in my nerves, but it's more like faint tingles.

I'm afraid to open it. I've been scared it would explode in my face when he's offered it to me, but now, I know it won't.

I lift the lid, and indeed, there is an explosion: in my heart, billions of sparkling colors burst out at the sight of the colorful packets. 

No one would understand why the tears are still spilling out of my eyes, why my heart is exploding with each loud thump, and why I'm wearing the biggest smile ever – even bigger than the in-love people I've admired all my life – in front of fifteen little packets of colored powder. But Theone understands. He understands me.

I grab with shaky fingers the little card stuck between the red and green packets of colors.

'I think it's time you finally complete your rangoli

Theo'

He's remembered, even after all those years. He's known I have a blank rangoli that I've sworn to color only with real, bright Indian colors, and he's thought of me when he's been on the other side of the world.

He knows me better than I know myself, and he loves me for who I am. He opens my eyes to the beauty of the world, but most importantly, he makes it even more beautiful. He's the color in my rangoli.

It hits me all at once, smashing the snow globe of doubts and fears I've been stuck in. I'm in love with Theone Homer, and now, my heart is filled with the certainty that it is true love.

I've always thought love has been a slow and steady feeling with serious bases to make it grow, not something that would knock me like that. But every love story is different, and the only thing I know is that I can't stand being away from him. I can't live without Theone.

He is the one – I definitely gotta tell him this, and I know it's going to annoy him. 

I just hope it isn't too late. My heart clenches as the fear and doubts are crawling up near, but no, I'm sure, and he's promised he would wait. It's Christmas Eve; this is the day for love, magic, and forgiveness.

There are still so many answered questions, and nothing is solved magically by Santa's apparition. But the magic is between Theone and me, so we'll find a way, and first, I need to find my way back to him.

I get up with this determination when a small piece of torn paper catches my eyes. There is something I need to do before; I've promised.

Theone loves me for who I am, and it's time that I find who I am completely. I grab the box of colorful packets, keeping it close to my heart, and I rush out of my treehouse with my mind full of colors and lights.

***

"Oh, little P! You scared me!"

I'm met by my dad holding his chest as soon as I open my bedroom door. It's true that I've been quite forceful in my movements, but I'm just buzzing with energy right now. I'm stopping myself to not jump up and down in the middle of the hallway.

"Where have you been? Everyone is already arrived." He furrows his eyebrows, probably noticing that I'm barely holding myself down.

"I had something important to do." I smile widely. 

I don't know how that's possible but my smile has grown even bigger since I've opened Theone's present, and after one hour, it's starting to become painful, yet this is the most beautiful feeling in the world. 

"I can't tell you now. I need to announce it to Theone first," I add in front of my dad's lifted eyebrows.

"That boy is lucky," he replies with a twinkle in his eyes – the same my mom has had at the party – and the blood rushes to my cheeks with the loud beats of my heart.

I will be lucky if he still wants me.

I'm about to ask my dad if he's seen him, when two figures rush through the hallway, shoving us on their way.

"Jackson! Ariel! Come back here!" my dad suddenly shouts, and it's my turn to put a hand on my chest. My heart is already having enough thrill today; I'm not sure it can handle much more.

"Sorry! They've taken the elf figurine in the entrance, and I don't want them to break it," my dad explains while glancing around to spot where they're hiding.

"They're exactly like their mom!" I shake my head at the too-many memories I have of my dreadful cousin Rebecca who has been tormenting me during my whole childhood. Though she hasn't been worse than Theone; she hasn't ruined my Christmas romance plan.

"They're even worse! I swear if they break it, argh!!" He throws his hands up as the two little monsters come back to us, yet they don't stop, running around like two excited elves – not the sweet ones.

"Don't worry, Jason and I will paint you a new one if it happens." I grin, though I'm not sure my dad can see much change as my smile hasn't fallen down one second. "Jason's painting hasn't changed since then!"

"You're an angel, a little devilish, but an angel!" my dad laughs, starting to chase the two little monsters, who are running down the stairs.

I follow him too, yet I'm going after something different, well maybe not because I'm searching for the devil.

While they go to the kitchen, I head for the family room though, because that's where everyone must be with the Christmas dinner nearing.

Indeed everyone is there, and it's going to be a long greetings tour. From my mom chatting with granny on the couch to Emily and uncle Earl near the tree, and of course, cousin Rebecca, there is everyone, everyone except Theone. 

My heart twitches with a bad feeling, but I shake it off. He's said he would wait, maybe not forever, yet it's only been a few hours. I gotta keep my determination and faith. So far, everything has gone very well. 

Thus I quickly head for the door again, before anyone spots me. I don't have time for existential questions that I need to solve first, and even less for endless speeches about the latest match or the benefits of veganism.

However, someone spots and stops me in the doorway.

"Penelope, are you okay?" I turn to the cinnamon eyes that have created butterflies in my stomach for so long, yet now, they don't anymore, even if they still look as soft, and actually, the worry clouding them has another effect on my stomach. "You've left so quickly after the..."

"The kiss," I finish, swallowing the lump growing in my throat. 

Who would have thought Aden's kiss would leave me such a sour taste afterward? Well, the sour taste isn't from the kiss, but the guilt taking over as I glimpse his concerned frown. He's always been so sweet, and I've lied to him; I've used him. No matter if it's come from the heart, he doesn't deserve this. He deserves someone who won't manipulate him or lie to make him fall in love. 

I know I have to talk to him, yet I have another priority for the moment.

"I'm fine, don't worry. I–" I'm interrupted when the door swings open, almost knocking me out, if it wasn't for Aden pulling me out of the way just in time.

I'm not even surprised to see Rebecca's offsprings barging in, followed by my breathless dad. The shock comes with what's coming after, when they slow down and start reading the piece of paper in their hands.

"Plan to make Aden fall in love with me."

The blood leaves my face as fast as my smile, my heart freezing after one last strong jump. 

Why Aden has had to push me out of the doorway? I'd rather be knocked out right now. It would be less painful, and I'm not breathing anyway.

Where have they found it? The last time I've seen it has been in my treehouse about one hour ago. Those little monsters... argh! My dad is right!

Luckily, I've kept my precious colors with me. Why am I worrying more about this than my impending public humiliation? I guess I'm really in love.

But I need to stop this before it becomes worse.

 "First, find a way to make a pretend boyfriend deal. Two–"

I tear the paper away from Jackson's hand, and he must notice my murderous gaze because he backs away without a word.

Actually, no one is saying a word. The silence is frightening, and it doesn't resemble a Christmas celebration, well, except for the light melody of 'Jingle Bells' coming from the small dancing Santa under the tree, though I swear even he is quieter than usual as if waiting for my confession.

All eyes are on me, no matter if they're real or fake glass eyes, and I don't know how my face can boil so much when all the blood has left it seconds ago. But I have no choice; I have to talk.

I lift up my gaze to my dad whose shock is written on his open mouth, yet the disappointment is even easier to read in his eyes, and this is enough. I don't dare to glance at my mom's clear eyes. 

Instead, I turn to Aden – not that I'm ready to face his cinnamon eyes either, but I owe him the truth more than anyone. 

Once again, I'm unable to decipher his big brown eyes. So with the thuds of my heart echoing in the silence – and I can almost hear Amy saying 'I told you so' in the back of my mind, along with Theone's snicker that I hear clearly in my head too – I take a deep breath.

"I... I..." Maybe I could pass this off as a joke or a hidden camera? No, no more lies. It isn't who I want to be.

I clear my throat. "Okay, this is the truth. This was my crazy plan to make you fall in love with me." I take another breath as I focus on Aden's cinnamon eyes, yet I still feel everyone's shocked gazes on me and hear the held-back gasps and 'I knew she was an eccentric!'.

"I'd liked you for so long." Now, I realize it hasn't been love like I've thought. "And since you only saw me as a friend and never got the hint, I came up with this plan inspired by my favorite Christmas romances. In those movies, they pretend to be a couple for the holidays, and then they fall in love," I explain my whole plan to make him understand, though I doubt it could sound more logical and less crazy. 

"I just wanted you to see me in a new light and for us to get closer through various 'must-haves' of those romances..." I sigh, glancing down at the half-torn list in my hand, and of course, I'm reminded of the one who has ruined this list in every way. 

"But nothing went as planned. Every time I tried something, it was a disaster. I should have seen that I had to give up, but no, I kept trying. I'm stubborn and... stupid." My mind, and my heart, go back to Theone. I don't know how, but like always, it helps letting the words out.

"Theone discovered this plan, and that's why I was helping him for the party." My chest shrivels as the words out loud make it sound even worse, make me sound even worse. 

"Well, it didn't feel like a chore for me, on the contrary, I really loved to organize and decorate everything. But... I would have surely never done it if he hadn't forced me." I let out another sigh, risking a glance at a pair of eyes I really dread to meet. "You probably aren't proud anymore..." I'm talking to everyone, but particularly to my mom, whose clear eyes are indeed shaded with disappointment yet still shining at the same time. It lights up hope and faith in my chest, and I don't hesitate to let it all out. 

"I'm sorry, and you have every right to be disappointed and mad at me. I'm sorry..." I now look at everyone around the room, yet no one in particular; my gaze is somewhere else, like my heart. 

"I regret doing this crazy plan... but I wouldn't change anything that I've done because I've met beautiful people thanks to it, I've found back my passion and my dreams, and... most importantly, I've fallen in love with Theone." These words out loud feel like the most beautiful, and the erratic beats of my heart now have more room to expand inside my chest, though there is still something weighing on my ribcage.

"I'm sorry, mom, dad, Emily..." I glance around but Jason isn't there. "For lying to you... I'm sorry, everyone. But above all, I'm sorry, Aden." I turn back to his warm cinnamon eyes. "I lied and used you when you're one of the sweetest persons I know...You were wrong, I'm not a great friend, but you definitely are. I hope you can forgive me one day, but I understand if you're mad and don't want to see me ever again."

"I'm not mad at you."

"That's okay, I und– what?!" I snap my wide eyes at him.

"I'm not mad." He shrugs, with a soft smile. How is that even possible? This man can't be real!

 "It's thanks to you that I've been able to write all the articles, and Alfred even called me today to tell me the articles never had as much success as this year. I can't be mad at my little elf who's helped me find the Christmas spirit." His smile widens, and in his cinnamon eyes, I can see the lights of the Christmas spirit reflecting. 

"That's what I was trying to tell you at the party, you've even made me find more than the Christmas spirit. Thanks to your 'pretend' plan, acting like a couple and all, it's made me realize since how long I'd been closed-off and alone. You've made me open my heart, and even if it wasn't the way you wanted, I've found love: the love of family, of friends, and sharing and giving for great causes... Now I know how important family and friends are, and I think I'm more open to find love one day. Maybe because I've witnessed a love story spring before my eyes..." His eyes hold the same twinkle as when my mom tells me to listen to my heart, the same sparkle that everyone shows when they talk about Theone and me.

"So you forgive me for my plan and my lies?" I ask, still dumbfounded by everything he's just told me. 

I've never thought I've helped him so much, and mostly, I would have never expected Aden to say those words about being open to love.

"Of course! Besides... I'd kinda already guessed it..."

"You guessed it?!" Now, my eyes are bulging out of their sockets.

He's guessed it?! Him, Aden who so oblivious to everything?! Have I really been that bad of an actress?

"Yes, well, yesterday, after watching some Christmas romance on my tablet for my articles, I've kinda realized it." He winces, and it looks like I've definitely succeeded in making him find the Christmas spirit; I mean, he's even wearing his ugly Christmas sweater. 

"I'm sorry, I should have told you, but... I don't know... since you told me there was nothing between Theo and you, I thought that maybe I should give it a try... I mean, you're pretty and really awesome. But after this kiss, it's sure that we'll only ever be friends!" He shakes his head, probably replaying the memories of this awkward kiss.

"You didn't feel anything either?!" I ask, letting out a relieved breath.

"Nothing, and it was almost awkward." He laughs lightly before becoming more serious. "But I've seen the way Theo looks at you, he really loves you, and what you have is special."

"If it isn't too late..." I look down at the paper in my hands that is now completely crumpled.

"He's crazy about you, don't worry!" Aden reassures me with a smile. 

I'm getting love advice from him now?! Things have really changed in just a holiday indeed, even if it's isn't the way I've imagined it.

"Thank you." I pull him in a hug, and for the first time, my heart rate doesn't speed up. He's just a great friend.

I lean away with another weight off my chest, and I almost feel like an accomplished grown-up and serious woman facing her problems maturely – well, until I turn to my parents standing behind me...

"Are you mad?" I offer them my mixed expression between a wince and puppy eyes, the same I've given them every time I've failed one of my plans of revenge, often against Theone, during my childhood.

"You know we don't like lies, especially not in the family," my mom starts with her arms crossed. "I knew there was something fishy in this 'new couple' you two formed, but I'd have never imagined this!" She shakes her head, uncrossing her arms. 

It should be a good sign, shouldn't it? 

"But we're so proud that you've finally listened to your heart, so we forgive you!" She spreads her arms wide, and I don't need more to rush and hug them both.

"We always knew you were creative!" my dad laughs, kissing softly my forehead.

"Now, go get your Theo!" My mom almost shoves me towards the door.

"I will."

Theone, the one who opens my blue eyes to the beauty of the world and I hope will still make them shine. I have hope and faith thanks to all those people who have inspired me – that's the Christmas spirit. 

"Does someone know where he is?" I glance around the room, yet everyone is still silent, not as eerily as before though.

"Where is who?" Jason arrives just at this moment, as clueless as always.

"Theone?" I rush. He must know where he is, but the way his eyebrows furrow in a deep frown digs a hole inside my stomach.

"Theone?! I've just dropped him at the station."

Cliffhanger!! Theone has left?!!! Do you think Penny will be able to tell him she loves him before it's too late? 😬😍

Also, what do you think of this chapter? Penny's realization? Aden who has guessed it? So much has happened, and there's still more 😏😉😈 

Also the rangoli? Did you guess Theone's gift would be this?? I hope you liked this other hint at Indian culture!  

Don't forget to vote ⭐ and comment if you liked this chapter!! I'll do my best to finish the next chapter to post it today!! I wanna do it for you because you're the colors in my rangoli ❤😘

Merry Christmas Eve!! I LOVE YOU!! 🎅🏼❤😘🎄