Superposition (Starting Position Sequel)

Chapter 4

The event center was quite the sight. The large room was decked in blue and white streamers and a large Christmas tree stood tall in the center, adorned in tinsel and eye shattering blue lights. Two girls flanked either side, taking gifts from a group of people and adding them to the pile at the base of the tree. I guessed there must be a gift exchange occurring at some point this evening.

To the left of the room were a few refreshment tables, each containing about three dishes. A line of people spanned from the series of tables and most were talking pleasantly amongst themselves. The right of the room featured a cluster of tables and chairs, and a DJ was set up in the back corner with more lights flashing around a small group of people dancing. Throw in some menorahs, Santa's, and reindeer, and the event center was about as festive as one could imagine Chrismukkah to be.

Elliot tugged on my hand, and we immersed ourselves in the crowded room. Excited voices filtered around us against the backdrop of the holiday music blaring from the corner of the space. The closer we moved to the Christmas tree, the closer I was to being blinded permanently – it was exponentially growing brighter with each step. My eyes were on fire.

"How can you see where you're going?" I asked Elliot, who was plowing forward through people.

"Don't make direct eye contact with it," she answered, tilting her chin towards me. "Besides, Samara is one of the girls taking presents for the gift exchange. I figured we'd better get this over with first."

"Ian will be so happy," I said, as we came to a stop in front of the glaring tree.

"Hi, Elliot," the girl I recognized as Samara greeted. Her thick, dark hair was pulled into a knot at the nape of her neck. "Are you participating in the gift exchange?"

"Oh, no, actually, I'm here to write an article for The Western View. I'd thought I'd ask you a few questions if you don't mind," Elliot began. I hadn't noticed her notepad until she withdrew it.

"Where were you keeping that?" I asked; Elliot grinned.

"Oh, right," Samara started. "I forgot Callahan assigned you this story." Her eyes bounded between the two of us.

"And this is my assistant-slash-boyfriend, Ben," Elliot said.

A struck out my arm and Samara gladly shook it. "Nice to meet you," I said.

"Likewise."

"So, I heard you organized all of this," Elliot stated, glancing around the space. Lights from the Christmas tree tinged her face blue.

"Yeah," Samara said. "Well, I mean I had help, obviously." She shifted her weight onto her other foot. "I couldn't have done it without everyone who volunteered" – she glanced to her left towards an ebony skinned girl with large, dark eyes – "like Sabine who literally held me when I cried and took care of all the fine details when I was hyperventilating."

Sabine offered us a tiny wave before assisting someone with dropping off a present.

"Well, it turned out great. You should be very proud," Elliot said. "What was the inspiration behind organizing a Chrismukkah themed holiday party?

"Well, I'm Jewish, and I know there's a portion of Jewish students on campus. The last two years I've been here – and even back in my high school – we always had Christmas themed parties and events. I thought it was time to conjoin the two – you know, give students the option to celebrate their own holiday while being exposed to another."

Elliot nodded. "I think you definitely succeeded. In fact" – she slid a glance my way – "I've heard a lot of people really commending you on putting this together."