A KotLC Christmas

Chapter 5

Maruca's POV

I was one of the first ones to get up the next morning, along with Fitz and Keefe.

"Hey, guys," Fitz yawned.

"Hi," I said, suddenly kind of shy. I didn't really know anyone in Sophie's friend group other than Wylie, Biana, Marella, and sort of Linh.

"Morning, Fitzy, Maruca," Keefe said. "Should I wake everyone else?"

Fitz shook his head. "Let Dex sleep. He needs it."

"Fine, but I'm waking Tam up, at least." He ran off, either to get his boyfriend or water to pour on him.

"I'm up!" Biana announced, appearing in the room, somehow already dressed and done her makeup.

Fitz jumped. "Bi! Stop doing that!"

Biana giggled. "A girl's gotta keep her brother on his toes." She grabbed my hand. "Come on, Maruca, I'll help you style your hair."

I let her drag me to her room. I wasn't really planning on doing anything special with my hair since I was bound to get snow in it anyway, but Biana knew best when it came to appearances.

When we got upstairs, Marella was there too.

"Hey, Maruca," she greeted me.

"Hi."

Biana closed the door. "This isn't really about hair. I need your guys's help with something."

"Okay. What is it?" I asked.

Biana nervously twirled a strand of hair around her finger. "Well...I like someone..."

"Oooh! Who?" Marella asked eagerly.

After a moment, Biana took a deep breath and said, "Sophie. "

I gasped. "Really?"

"I've had a crush on her for about a month now, but I haven't told anyone. Not even Fitz, although I'm sure he suspects. I'm not sure if I'm ever going to tell her. She might not like me back, and it could ruin our friendship." Biana sighed.

"So, what do you want us to do?" Marella asked.

"Help me come up with ways to tell her," Biana answered.

I giggled. "I may have a few ideas..."

****

"We should do teams of two," Sophie said. We were outside in the snow, ready to have our snowball fight.

"Maruca and I will be a team," Wylie volunteered.

"And me and Biana," Fitz added.

"Or if you want to be with Dex, I could be with Sophie?" Biana suggested.

Fitz shrugged. "Okay."

I gave her a discreet thumbs up.

"I'll go with Linh," Marella said. "And are we allowed to use our abilities?"

"Yes!" I said at the same time Dex said, "No."

"Why not?" Biana asked him.

"Some people will have an unfair advantage. Like you, you're a Vanisher. But a Technopath like me, or an Empath like Keefe, would be without a helpful special ability," Dex explained.

"Speak for yourself," Keefe said. "I have a good arm."

"Still, I agree with Dex," Sophie said. "No special abilities. Or else Maruca would win for sure."