Chapter 3: days till Christmas

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On a chilly December morning, Raven woke up to the sound of her alarm buzzing. She groaned and slammed her hand onto the snooze button. It was still dark outside, but she knew she had a busy day ahead. She had planned a special Christmas-themed video, and she couldn't afford to waste any time.
As she stumbled out of bed, Raven glanced at herself in the mirror. Her tan skin looked pale against the warm glow of the room. She ran her fingers through her black hair, making sure her pinkish-purple tips were perfectly styled. Her hair and appearance were essential to her identity as a famous YouTuber gamer.
After getting ready, Raven headed out into the city streets. She wanted to explore and gather footage for her vlog. Maintaining her reputation as a fierce rival in the YouTube community meant consistently producing unique content. She knew that her competitive and insecure nature drove her to be the best, but sometimes she wished she could relax and have a friend to confide in.
Raven grew up in NewTube City, a place where success and competition were the driving forces. Her father, an executive, had raised her to be hungry for success and taught her the art of rivalry. She had inherited his competitive spirit, but she had also inherited his distrust of anyone who got too close.
As Raven walked through the city, she couldn't help but feel a bit lonely. The bustling streets were filled with people enjoying the holiday season, but she felt like an outsider in her own world. The thought of spending Christmas alone weighed heavily on her.
Meanwhile, Connor, also known by his YouTube channel name "Candy Swirl Plays," was enjoying his morning routine. With his bubbly personality and vibrant pink hair with a white streak, Connor always found joy in the simplest things. Today, he had planned to spend the day exploring the Christmas market and filming a vlog about the festive atmosphere.
Unbeknownst to Raven, Connor had a small crush on her. He had met her at PlayCon, a gaming convention, where they had bonded over their love for YouTube and video games. Despite the connection they had, neither of them had confessed their feelings for one another.
As Connor made his way through the crowded market, he spotted Raven from a distance. He couldn't contain his excitement and rushed over to greet her. Raven, caught off guard, tried to maintain her cool facade but couldn't help but smile at his infectious energy.
"Hey, Raven! Fancy seeing you here," Connor exclaimed with a wide grin.
Raven couldn't help but feel a flutter in her chest. She enjoyed Connor's company and appreciated his genuine nature. Spending time together seemed like the perfect opportunity to relax and have someone to confide in, even if it was just for a day.
They roamed the market together, filming and laughing. The Christmas spirit seemed to envelop them, filling them with warmth and joy. Raven found herself opening up, sharing her dreams, and insecurities. Connor listened attentively, offering words of encouragement and understanding.
Little did Raven know, Connor's drone, Roller Brawl, had a personality similar to the character from Skylanders. Roller Brawl's sassy and fierce demeanor added an entertaining twist to their adventures, lightening the atmosphere whenever tension arose.
As the day progressed, Connor and Raven's bond grew stronger. They raced through an ice-skating rink, decorated gingerbread cookies, and even filmed a friendly gaming competition before the day came to an end.
Though Raven sensed the connection between them, she held back her feelings out of fear of rejection and the uncertainty of their future. She had grown accustomed to her competitive and solitary lifestyle, and the idea of letting someone in terrified her.
As they said their goodbyes, Connor smiled warmly at Raven. "Today was amazing, Raven. I'm so glad we spent this time together. We should do it again sometime."
Raven felt her heart skip a beat. She wanted to confess her feelings, but the words stuck in her throat. Instead, she murmured, "Yeah, that would be nice."
As they went their separate ways, Raven couldn't help but replay the day's events in her mind. Though they hadn't confessed their feelings for one another, she knew that Connor had a special place in her heart. The memory of their Christmas adventure lingered, filling her with hope for the future.
And so, as Christmas approached, Raven found herself torn between her competitive nature and the desire to let love into her life. Would she find the courage to confess her feelings? Only time would tell.

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