I hummed a Christmas song I knew as I put the Christmas lights on the tree that my parents bought.

"Haidee! Pick me up! I want to put the star!" Vince exclaimed.

I giggled and lifted him up, "Alright, kiddo."

He chuckled as he placed the star on top of the tree. Austin and Dad were hanging the star lantern. Xavier was helping Mom make the dishes that smelled wonderful. Atlas was talking to Laurence and Scuzette. CorianneㅡXavier's girlfriendㅡwas also here talking to Ariana who was currently being courted by Austin. Laurence's family was also here to celebrate Christmas with us.

All of us gathered here to celebrate Christmas Eve together. We decided to celebrate here in our house because they said so. I'm not complaining, though. It was nice celebrating with them.

I'm really happy today. I recieved letters from Mary, Celestiana, Christine, Julianne, Claire, Harriet, Aino, Grace, Abigail, and Adalene wishing me a Merry Christmas. I also sent them letters to return the greeting. But my happiness was mostly from the letter I recieved from a certain someone.

Dear Haidee,

Hey! Merry Christmas! I'm glad you wrote me a letter like you promised. I'm sorry if it took me so long to reply. I'm doing okay here and I do miss the palace.

I can't wait to see you again!

Love,
Mary

Dear Haidee,

Merry Christmas! Why didn't you write me a letter? Is Zeke more important than me? Kidding.

I miss you! I hope I can see you soon!

Love,
Celestiana

Dear Haidee,

Merry Christmas, Haidee! I hope you're doing well. I can't wait to see you and everyone else on the ball!

Yours truly,
Christine

Dear Haidee,

Merry Christmas! How are you? I'm doing quite fine here. I miss you guys so much! I can't wait to see you in a few days!

Love,
Julianne

Haidee,

Merry Christmas!!!! I miss you so much! Every guy has been trying to get my attention here, it's annoying. How I wish I can spend Christmas with you all. See you in a few days!

Love lots,
Claire

Oh great and powerful future queen Haidee,

It is I your loyal servant. Kidding. I miss you! Merry Christmas! I'll see you at the ball!

Love,
Harriet

Dear Haidee,

Merry Christmas! I can't wait to see you at the ball!

Love,
Aino

Dear Haidee,

Merry Christmas!! We miss you! Make sure to wow my cousin at the ball *wink* *wink*

Lots of love from the palace,
Grace

Dear Haidee,

Merry Christmas! I have a gift for you when you come back! I can't wait to see you again!

Love,
Abigail

Dear Haidee,

Merry Christmas! I know I've known you for a few weeks but I miss you! I'll see you at the ball!

Love,
Ada

My dear Dee,

How am I? I'm okay. My fever's gone because of a certain girl taking care of me the day I got it. And I try sleeping, ma'am. The bags under my eyes just prove I'm hard working. Besides, I know you still like me even if I have eye bags.

I'm glad you're doing okay and I'm most elated about you missing it here. The reason why, I can't tell you. I already told my parents hi like you told me.

The housing project was made by you remember? If you didn't tell me to do it, I wouldn't have done it. I'm glad your parents liked it though. I also took to consideration what you said. I'm still finishing Angeles so when I'm done, I'll start with Sonage.

The problem is getting worse, Dee. I don't know how to stop it. I'm glad you want to help but take care of yourself. They might target you if they know that you're doing something.

We all miss you, Dee. I hope you were here celebrating Christmas with us.

I'll see you at the ball. Don't be late or I'll punish you.

From,
Tony

"Haidee! Come help us make the desserts!" Mom yelled.

I ruffled Vince's hair, "Go to Corianne. I'll be right back."

He nodded and ran off to Xavier's girlfriend.

"I'll help!" Ariana presented.

I smiled at her, "Alright. Let's go."

We walked to the kitchen got the ingredients from Mom. I started making the batter and Ariana made salad.

I put some flour in a bowl then some eggs. I also put some cocoa powder so it would be a chocolate cake. Once I finished making the batter, I poured it into a baking tin and shoved it in the oven. While waiting, I made the icing. I started putting the egg whites into a bowl and put a little cream of tartar in it. Then I started mixing it with the mixer.

When the cake finished baking, I set it aside to cool. Once it was done cooling, I put the icing and rolled it to make a chocolate roll cake.

"That smells wonderful, Haidee." Mom commented.

I smiled, "I try."

"I can't wait to try it." Xavier stated.

I laughed. Ariana did too. She put the salad inside the refrigerator to be cooled.

"Well, we're done here." Mom said, "Let's all gather in the living room now."

We followed her lead and sat on the chairs. Everyone was either settled on a chair, standing, or seated on the floor.

"It's still 10 pm. We have a lot of time to spare." Austin said, "How about playing a game? I already have one in mind."

"What is it?" Laurence asked.

Austin smiled, "All you have to do is get one dollar and come to the front."

The adults got a dollar from their purses and went to where Austin was standing. Laurence, Scuzette, and Vince joined in too.

"Alright, now get a partner." Austin instructed.

My parents teamed up and so did Laurence's parents. Scuzette and Laurence are obviously a pair. Vince paired up with Laurence's little brother.

"Do rock paper scissors once and the one who wins gets the other person's money. This goes on until one remains as a victor."

The players' eyes glinted with mischief. I saw mom losing to dad but he quickly changed his sign to a paper so mom can win. Uncle won and so did Laurence, and Vince.

Laurence fought against his dad. Mom fought Vince. Uncle won and so did Vince.

"I won't go easy on you, kid." Uncle said.

Vince smirked, "Then don't, old man."

I laughed at their exchange of words. They put on their game faces and played. Both of them drew paper so they had to do it again. Then they drew rock. They drew the same thing for five times before one finally drew rock and one drew scissors.

"I won!" Vince exclaimed happily, "I'm rich!"

He fanned himself with his eight dollars smugly. I laughed at his behavior.

"You're not bad, kid." Uncle told Vince.

Vince smirked, "You're not so bad yourself, Uncle."

They played a lot of games and I didn't join any. I just liked to be a spectator. My Christmas Eve was fun and merry. There were a lot of laughter and chats.

We decided to eat our prepared food. It was also nice. They made me tell stories about the palace, the royals, and the selected. They confirmed some gossips they knew which were really crazy. Some were 'Was one of the selected really pregnant?'. Another one was 'I heard a selected killed another girl'. But some of them were true. Ariana asked about one of the selected being lesbian. Scuzette asked about a selected being in a relationship with a guard.

It was fun with my family but I also pictured myself inside the palace, having a great time with the others.

"It's Christmas!" Laurence exclaimed, "Merry Christmas, guys!"

We all returned the greeting and hugged each other and sang a merry tune around the tree. We opened our presents together. I received a book, ballet shoes, a sharp hair pin that was designed with a intricate blue and gold flowers. I figured that the ballet shoes were from my parents. The book was probably from Laurence. The hair pin, maybe one of their girlfriends?

I admired the pin. It looked so elegant but it could harm others if not careful. I'm definitely using this on Celestiana's wedding.

I could use the ballet shoes in the palace when I'm bored. I should go to the mini ballroom and practice dancing.

The book was one of the books that I wanted to read. I smiled at the title. I can read this inside my room at the palace if I just want to relax and take my mind off of things.

Why am I still thinking of the palace? I should really focus on the people I'm with and where I am.

I silently wished the people I care for a Merry and safe Christmas.What if rebels choose this time to strike the people at the palace?

I sure hope that rebels celebrate Christmas.