Pasio University: Sophomore and Junior Years

Chapter 21- Christmas Day

Gloria POV

I leapt out of bed and threw Cinderace out of his ball, "It's Christmas morning! Get up!" Cinderace was dazed as it was probably taking a nap before I released it, but he looked happy to see me so that's nice. I slipped on my wool jacket and my coat to make sure I would be extra toasty for the party to come. Last year the food was fantastic, and I really think that with the school's improved budget that we'll have an even better one this year. Victor and Hop are both gone though, so it's been a little lonely, luckily the Unovans are cool with me tagging along with them. I walked out and met Hilda, who was wearing much warmer clothes than I usually see her in. I greeted her, "Hey Hilda!" Hilda turned and saw me then smiled and walked over, "Good to see ya Gloria. You got anything you're looking forward to today in particular?" I shook my head, "Not really... Well besides the feast." Hilda chuckled, "I'm the same." We walked together and met up with Rosa, Nate, and Hilbert, then made our way towards the festival. I can't wait! This is gonna be so much fun.

Elio POV

It's Christmas! Gotta be my favorite day ever. Why? 1. It's Christmas, everybody likes Christmas, if you don't I haven't met you and you can tell me later. 2. I confessed my love to my wonderful girlfriend on Christmas day. So I've always had good times. Lillie and I decided to stand on the bridge over looking the ice skating where we shared our first kiss. We both felt a special connection to the place. I looked out at the people skating and chuckled, "Heh. I was so nervous all that day. Could you tell?" Lillie in her warm looking white winter coat giggled softly before responding, "Well, not really. It blended in with your usual humor." I smiled, "You know I wouldnt trade this for a thing in the world. I hope you'll always let me love you." Lillie smiled, "Always! Same here. I'm so happy!" We shared another kiss. I opened my eyes from it then saw Selene standing by herself on the edge of the bridge, I looked at Lillie, "Uhm... Give me a second, I'm gonna go talk to Selene. I have a sneaking suspicion something isn't right." Lillie nodded, "Ok! When you get back though, I have a gift for you!" I pointed back at her as I walked away, "I've got one for you too, trust me!"

I walked up to Selene, the snow of the day dusting my face, it was pretty cold out. I stood by her and leaned on the rail, "Hey sis." She looked over and spoke happily, though I knew her well enough to tell it was a guise, "Oh, hey Elio!" I shook my head, "Selene, I haven't seen you in a long time. You seem distant. Are you ok?" Selene dropped her head, "I'm... I'm sorry." I shook my hands, "No, no! Please don't apologize! I just... Look I just want to help you if I can." Selene rested her hands on the railing and placed her head on them, "It's nothing you can help with really. I just... This time of year reminds me of Mom... My Mom." I patted her on the back, "I... I didn't know..." Selene shook her head, "It hurts me. I miss her every day. It just gets worse in the cold weather. It just really fires me up about that deadbeat of a dad that left her alone with me. She was an angel..." I looked out over the frozen lake, "I often wonder what motivated that guy. Can't say I care for him at all." Selene clenched her fists, "I would hurt him. I would want him to feel the pain he deserves after what he did to mom." I continued to stare forward, "I have faith he got what was coming to him. If not yet, maybe soon. Who knows?" Selene stood up, "Hope so." I stood straight up again, "Hey, want to tag along with me and Lillie today? Spending time with friends helps to ease the pain a little." Selene smiled softly, "If you guys don't mind." I nodded, "Of course we don't mind! The more the merrier." Selene and I walked back to Lillie with her. Lillie smiled, "Everything ok?" I nodded, "Yep! Say, how would you like to take a second try at ice skating? I think I can do better this time." Lillie smiled, "Let's do it!"

Brendan POV

I walked next to May as we took in the sights. May always loved to see the Christmas lights they had set up, and they were better than ever this year. May smiled, "This was definitely worth it. Even if it is a little chilly." I smiled back at her, "For sure!" I thought a little bit about what we did last year on Christmas, and remembered the mega stone she gave me. I then spoke to her, "Hey, sorry I haven't been able to use your gift from last year. I'm really excited to, I just haven't found the right moment." May shook her head, "Hey just because I gave you it doesn't mean you have to feel obligated to use it. Don't worry about it." I scratched my head, "Anyway, what's your plans once we're done here?" May joked, "Oh can't you just enjoy something before moving on?" I chuckled, "My bad for wanting to have a plan." May chuckled, "Whatever. But really though, if you want to go get some food or go ice skating I'd like to do those things." I gave her a thumbs up, "Lead the way!"

Hilbert POV

What a fun day so far! I love Christmas day, and spending it with my girlfriend and friends is even better. Usually for me, holidays just kind of blend in with all the other days of the year, nothing special or anything y'know, but dang this year feels so different. Nate skated over to me and smiled, "Huh, I didn't think any of you guys would know how to skate, you know as well as I how hard it is to find a place to skate in Unova... well when there isn't a cataclysmic disaster caused by a madman." I scratched my head, "Yeah. I learned from Hilda over the Summer, we went to some cities that had rinks, but I guess you and Rosa were caught up with Ghetsis's ice beam, so you had to." He shrugged, "Yeah, just to make sure I don't slip and die." I chuckled and nodded, "Yeah. Goodness, if Ghetsis is out there somewhere... I dunno. The stuff he said to N, I don't know if I could ever forgive him, especially after what happened with the ice." Lucas skated by, "If you're lucky, Giritina will just come out and drag him to the reverse world." We both stared blankly, and decided to forget whatever the heck Lucas just said in passing.

I skated over to Hilda and she looked over to me, "Hey Hilbert! Rosa is teaching me a few tricks! Want to join us?" I shook my head, "I don't think anyone wants to see that. Including me." Rosa giggled, "Yeah. Feel free to watch though." We all laughed. What a day this has been.

Calem POV

I walked side by side with Serena as we traversed the wintery wonderland that is Pasio on Christmas day. I smiled and looked at her, the smile on my face has become much warmer over the last week or so. All because of my fiance. She returned the smile, "Isn't this so crazy? We're gonna get married!" I gave her a kiss on the cheek, "Yes. It is crazy. But, as I said, there's no one else I would ever want to spend the rest of my life with." Serena's smile warmed me up in this cold weather, she said, "I couldn't agree more. I guess now is as good a time as ever... How do you want to do our wedding? And when?" It clicked with me that I had yet to tell Serena about what Skyla was doing for us. "Oh! As for when, this summer would be great for me, gives me time to get the house all ready for you, you can finish out the year, and I'll take care of my business with the Aviators." Serena raised an eyebrow, "Huh? I thought you were most likely coming back." I looked up, "If I do, I think it'll be next year. I'm committed to stay in spite of them at this point for now. I don't want them to think they have the power to force me out." Serena nodded, "Alright. So Summer wedding... What kind of wedding did you want to have?" I chuckled, "Well I'll leave that up to you for two reasons, one, you're way better than me at this stuff, and two, Skyla said if you said yes that she'd pay for your dream wedding!" Serena's jaw dropped, "Wait- my idol- THE Skyla said that!?" I nodded, "Yes." Serena was very excited, "Wow! She doesn't even know me! That's so cool!! I gotta thank her!" I nodded, "Yeah! Have fun with it! Make sure you include everything you want, and I'll work with her to make it happen." Serena hugged me, "This is so nice. Thank you for everything Calem!" I smiled and continued to hug her, things are certainly looking up.