Chapter 16
Chapter Sixteen
Kelechi
The Christmas holidays had arrived faster than I expected, bringing with it a kind of magic that transformed Mapleridge into something that looked like a city out of a Hallmark Christmas movie I had managed to watch back home.
Snow blanketed everything in pristine white.
And everywhere you looked, houses glowed with warm yellow lights and festive decorations.
It felt like a fragile mirage that might dissolve if I looked away, so I tried not to blink for fear that the entire town would simply vanish and leave me standing in the cold, ordinary city I still hadn’t fully learned how to call home.
Atlas had invited us to her Christmas Eve party, and for once, I wasn’t anxious about a social gathering. I was… excited.
“Oh, my goodness,” she squealed the second she opened the door and found Marley and me standing in front of her, hand in hand. The warmth from inside rushed out to meet us, carrying the scent of cinnamon and butter. “You guys, come in! It’s freezing out there.”
“Good evening, Atlas,” I said as she immediately enveloped me in a hug that smelled like vanilla perfume and cookies.
“Girl, you know we’re past all that formal stuff,” she laughed, squeezing me tight before pulling back to look at me properly. “So good to see you again! And look at you two,” she added with an exaggerated grin, glancing at our joined hands.
“Atlas,” Marley warned playfully, but she was smiling as she stepped forward for her own hug.
“What? I have eyes,” Atlas beamed as she stepped aside dramatically, her curls bouncing as she gestured for us to come further inside.
She was petite but radiated the kind of energy that filled a room.
She was wearing a red sweater with actual jingle bells sewn onto it. “Carmen! The girls are here!”
The house was exactly what I imagined Atlas and Carmen’s place would be: bright and lived in.
It was decorated with twinkling lights strung along the walls and a massive Christmas tree in the corner of the living room.
The sound of laughter and conversation drifted from deeper in the house, along with holiday music playing softly in the background.
Carmen appeared from what I assumed was the kitchen, wiping her hands on a dish towel. “Hey, you two,” she said with a warm smile, giving Marley a hug first, then me. “Good to see you again, Kelechi. How are you settling into the holidays?”
“Much better now that I don’t have any assignments hanging over my head,” I replied, and Carmen laughed.
“I remember those days, but the relief of winter break was everything.” She gestured toward the living room. “Most of the gang’s already here. Can I get you guys something to drink? We’ve got mulled wine, hot chocolate, or Atlas’s famous holiday punch.”
“The punch isn’t that strong this year, I promise,” Atlas called out, overhearing us.
“That’s what you said last time,” Carmen replied dryly. “Jake’s still recovering from that hangover.”
Marley and I exchanged amused glances.
“Hot chocolate sounds perfect,” Marley said, and I nodded in agreement.
“Coming right up.”
The living room was filled with the comfortable chatter of people who looked like they’d known each other for years.
Marley had mentioned that the party would be full of both Carmen’s friends from work, some of Atlas’s college buddies, and a few neighbours.
It was exactly the kind of mixed group that forms naturally around couples who’ve been together for a while.
Everyone was warm and welcoming, but not in that overwhelming way that made you feel like you were being interviewed.
I found myself settling into easy conversations about school, the weather, and holiday plans. Marley stayed close, her hand occasionally brushing mine or her arm bumping my shoulder as we sat together on the couch. It felt natural and comfortable.
The evening flowed easily. Someone started a debate about whether Die Hard was actually a Christmas movie.
Carmen’s coworker, Sarah, showed us pictures from her recent trip to Montreal.
Atlas regaled everyone with stories from her job during the holiday shopping rush, complete with dramatic reenactments that had everyone in stitches.
It was around nine o’clock when Atlas suddenly clapped her hands together.
“Okay, everyone! Time for dessert. I made those peppermint chocolate cupcakes you guys loved last year, plus some other goodies.”
The room erupted with high, gleeful voices.
“I’ll help,” Carmen offered, starting to get up.
“No, no, you stay with our guests,” Atlas waved her off. “Kelechi!” She turned to me with a bright smile. “Want to help me in the kitchen? I could use an extra pair of hands with all these cupcakes.”
I glanced at Marley, who just shrugged with an amused expression.
“Sure, I’d be happy to help.”
Atlas practically bounced as she led me toward the kitchen.
“Perfect! I have like three dozen cupcakes, and Carmen made these little tartlet things that are honestly to die for.”
The kitchen counter was indeed covered with an impressive spread of desserts. Trays of beautifully decorated cupcakes, delicate pastries, and what looked like homemade fudge cut into perfect squares.
“Wow, you guys went all out,” I said, genuinely impressed.
“Well, Carmen’s the real baker. I just followed her recipes and tried not to burn anything,” Atlas laughed, then turned to me with that same excited expression she’d had when we arrived. “But okay, real talk? I’ve been dying to get you alone for two seconds.”
I felt my cheeks warm. “Oh?”
“Oh, my goodness,” she said, her voice barely containing her excitement as she leaned against the counter. “You guys are together! Like, actually together! I could smell the attraction from miles away.”
I bit my lip, unable to suppress the smile that was spreading across my face. “Atlas…”
“Don’t even try to deny it,” she interrupted, grinning widely. “The way you two have been looking at each other all night? The casual hand-holding? Marley keeps getting this little smile every time you laugh at something. It’s adorable.”
“We’re… figuring things out,” I admitted, feeling shy under her gaze.
“Well, from where I’m standing, you’re figuring it out pretty well,” she grinned. “And honestly? I’m just happy. Marley deserves someone who makes her light up like that, and you, my friend, are definitely doing that.”
Her genuine warmth made my chest feel tight with emotion. It was one thing to have Marley in my life, another entirely to feel welcomed by the people who cared about her.
“Now,” Atlas said, straightening up and grabbing a tray of cupcakes, “let’s get these out there before Carmen comes looking for us and figures out I’ve been interrogating you about your love life.”
As we loaded up the trays and headed back toward the living room, I felt a familiar flutter of contentment.
The rest of the evening went well, and by eleven p.m. sharp Marley and I had said our goodbyes to Atlas and Carmen and driven home through the snowy streets.
The ride back home had been silent except for the sound of a melancholic song Marley played through her Spotify connected to the car’s Bluetooth.
“What song is this?” I asked sleepily.
“Almost Mine,” she said. “Some indie artist I found… I think her name is Halo or something.”
I nodded while allowing the song to play out, almost lulling me to sleep.
The moment we stepped inside, exhaustion hit me all at once.
“Oh Lord,” I groaned, kicking off my boots and letting them fall wherever they landed. “I didn’t know having fun could make someone this tired.”
Marley hung up our coats, brushing snow off the shoulders. “Those pastries were incredible though. I think I ate my weight in strudel.”
“And those cupcakes,” I added, collapsing onto her couch with a satisfied sigh. “Carmen really knows what she’s doing in the kitchen.”
“Mmm, she does.” She settled onto the other end of the couch, looking at me sprawled across the cushions. “Your feet must be killing you. Those boots weren’t exactly made for walking in snow.”
I groaned, wiggling my toes inside my socks. “You have no idea. I think I have blisters on my feet.”
Without saying anything, she reached over and gently pulled my legs across her lap, her hands finding my feet through the fabric of my socks… and oh my God… it felt warm. Then her thumbs pressed into the arch of my left foot, and I couldn’t suppress the moan that escaped my lips.
“Oh God, that feels amazing,” I breathed, my eyes falling shut before I could stop myself.
“Good,” she said simply, her voice lower than before. Her hands worked methodically, finding every sore spot. “Just relax.”
I tried to, but there was something about the way her hands moved that made it impossible to fully unwind. Every touch seemed to send little sparks up my legs, and I found myself hyper-aware of every point where our bodies connected.
“You’re really good at this,” I murmured, opening my eyes to find her watching me intently.
“You think so?” she asked me, her eyes never leaving mine.
“I know so, and geez, you’re making me shy with the way you’re looking at me,” I said as I covered my face with my hands.
She smiled, her brow raised. “How am I looking at you, little princess?” she teased.
“Excuse me… I’m not little. I’m twenty-four,” I said, then added with mock indignation, “which is perfectly grown-up and mature, thank you very much.”
Her hands paused for just a second. “Twenty-four.”
“Yes. How old are you anyway? You never told me.”
“Twenty-eight.”
I sat up straighter, grinning. “Ooh, big aunty! No wonder you’re so good at taking care of people.”
“Big aunty?” She laughed, though her cheeks pinked slightly. “Four years is nothing.”
“Four years is a whole university degree,” I teased. “When I was twenty, you were already graduated and working. That’s like practically… ancient.”