Ch. 50
The city lights shimmered against the cool December air, every street wrapped in gold and red lights. Stores were busy, music floated from every corner, and laughter echoed in the distance.
It was finally Christmas month and St. Atheline was alive with decorations and cheer. Snowflake ornaments hung from the corridors, Christmas trees were lined near the entrances, and students carried boxes of gifts and tinsel, ready to decorate their classrooms.
Selene, who had long adjusted to her life in this world, found herself slowly caught up in the season's cheer.
She stood near the window, watching snow-like glitter fall from the paper stars they had hung earlier. Liana waved from behind, carrying a box filled with ribbons.
"Selene! Can you help me hang this? It's too high!"
Selene turned, her calm voice carrying a hint of amusement.
"Then why did you volunteer to hang it in the first place?"
Liana grinned, pouting.
"Because I thought Edward would help me! But that traitor is busy flirting with the debate club girls."
Selene only shook her head.
"You never learn."
As she tied the ribbons neatly, her classmates whispered around her.
"She's really good at this."
"Selene is so pretty!"
"Yeah, she looks so graceful... like she came out of a movie."
Selene pretended not to hear, focusing instead on adjusting the Christmas lights until everything was perfectly balanced.
By lunch, the campus was completely transformed, twinkling with festive light and joy.
After class, Liana looped her arm around Selene's.
"Let's go shopping again!"
"Didn't we just go last week?" Selene raised an eyebrow.
"Yes, but I forgot to buy gifts for my cousins! And you still haven't finished buying gifts for your parents, right?"
Selene sighed but nodded. "Fine."
The mall was crowded with students and families, the air filled with Christmas carols and the smell of cinnamon. Liana bounced from store to store, while Selene walked behind her, graceful and quiet as always.
Liana held up a stuffed toy. "How about this for your grandpa?"
Selene gave her a deadpan look.
"He's eighty, not eight."
Liana giggled picked up a soft scarf and looked back at her.
"So, what do you plan to buy this time?"
"For my grandmother, I already bought a tea set," Selene replied, scanning the shelves.
"For my grandfather, I ordered a walking cane with his name engraved. For my mother, I found an artist who could paint her portrait. For my father..." she trailed off, frowning slightly.
"You don't know?" Liana asked. Selene tilted her head, thoughtful.
"He's... hard to read. Maybe something personal. Something not expensive, but meaningful."
"You're sweet, you know that?" Liana smiled, Selene gave her a look.
"I just have a good taste."
They both laughed, wandering through the aisles.
They entered a luxury store when a familiar voice called out—
"Selene?"
Selene turned, surprised to see Jaxen, standing near the men's section with his sleeves rolled and a faint grin tugging his lips.
He look good on those casual. Selene thought.
"Jaxen," she greeted with her usual composed tone.
He smiled back. "Well, what a coincidence."
Before she could answer, Liana's eyes widened.
"Wait— who's this?!"
Selene turned slightly.
"Ah, right. Liana, this is Jaxen... a friend."
"Oh my gosh, Selene! You didn't tell me you had a boyfriend!" Liana's eyes widened.
Selene immediately deadpanned.
"He's not my boyfriend." She corrected but Liana didn't buy it.
Jaxen chuckled deeply, hands casually in his pockets.
"Still denying it, I see."
Liana, delighted by the playful tone between them, nudged Selene.
"Okey but— you didn't tell me you had such a handsome friend."
"Because it's irrelevant," Selene replied calmly, flipping through a rack of scarves.
"So there is something!" Liana gasped, Selene rolled her eyes.
"You're delusional."
Before Liana could tease again, a bright voice called from behind Jaxen.
"Brother! I found the perfect sweater for Dad!"
A girl with braids hair and bright eyes ran to him cheerful, innocent-looking, maybe sixteen. Jaxen turned to Selene, grinning.
"Ah! Selene, this is my sister, Jaime."
Jaime waved happily.
"Hi, Sister Selene! My brother talks about you sometimes!"
"...He does?" Selene blinked in mild surprise.
Liana gasped again, whispering, "omg! Thats suspicious!"
"Uh, this is my friend!" Then Selene gestured to her friend.
"Liana—"
"BFF," Liana corrected proudly, placing a hand on her hip.
Selene gave her a deadpan look.
"Since when did we agree to that title?"
"Since now," Liana said confidently.
"I like you already, Sister Liana." Jaime giggled.
The two clicked instantly, chatting like old friends, exchanging opinions on gifts and stores. Meanwhile, Jaxen turned his attention back to Selene, leaning slightly closer.
"So, is that why you're here? Buying gifts?"
Selene nodded.
"Yes."
"Then I'll wait for mine." He smirked.
"You're not part of the family." Selene looked up, unimpressed.
Jaxen's smirk widened, voice dipping playfully low.
"Then I'll make my way to be part of your family."
Without missing a beat, Selene replied, "I don't want a stepbrother."
That made him burst out laughing, really laughing. The kind that made even Jaime blink in surprise.
A few steps away, Liana secretly lifted her phone, snapping a candid photo of the two. Jaime leaned over to see the picture and stifled a laugh.
"They look perfect together," Jaime whispered. "Brother hasn't laughed like that in years."
Liana grinned knowingly.
"Then maybe she's the reason he smiles like that. I'm keeping this photo."
"Same. She's officially my sister-in-law in my heart." Jaime nodded in approval.