The Freshman

Chapter Twenty-One - Snowed In

Emily's POV

It was the day before winter break, and Hartfeld University was hosting its annual holiday craft fair in the park. "This festival is really putting me in the spirit. I can't believe it's only seven days until Christmas!" Chris exclaimed.

"Only six until Hanukkah!" Zack exclaimed.

"And eight until Kwanzaa! Though I'm celebrating Christmas too," James said.

"Don't forget about Festivus. For the rest-ivus," Tyler said.

Everyone laughed except for Kaitlyn, who was too busy looking at her phone. "Earth to Kaitlyn! Stop staring at your phone!" Abbie exclaimed.

"Sorry, Abbie. I was checking the weather again," Kaitlyn said. She put her phone back in her purse. "I can't believe it. Half the reason I came to school here was for the snow, and it's only snowed once!"

"Kaitlyn, be careful what you wish for!" I exclaimed. "Despite what the movies want you to think, snow isn't that much fun. It's cold, it's wet, and it stops looking pretty really fast."

"Not to mention that it makes it hard to travel. If it were to snow tonight, we could be stuck here during the break," Abbie said. "It's probably for the best that the forecast says no snow."

"You guys are such killjoys," Kaitlyn said.

"Speaking as an expert on all things winter, you know what is guaranteed to cheer you up, Kaitlyn?" Chris asked.

"What?"

"Hot cider! There's a booth over there."

"Well... I guess it's worth a shot."

I started toward the booth with the others, but Tyler tugged on my sleeve. The two of us stepped off to the side. "What's up, Tyler?" I asked.

"So you know how we're doing Secret Santa tonight? I drew Abbie, and I can't decide what to get her!" Tyler exclaimed.

"You waited until just now to think about this?"

"I've looked around at a few stores, but nothing seemed right for her. I was thinking I'd get something at the craft fair. But now I'm not sure what!"

"Well, let's see what they have." I perused the tables to see what they were selling. A pair of mittens, a bottle of massage oil, and a yellow Santa hat caught my eye. "I think Abbie would like the massage oil."

"Isn't that a little... suggestive?"

"Just a little. Is that a bad thing?" Tyler looked at the bottle uncertainly. "Look, if she doesn't like it, you can say it was my idea."

"All right, if you say so." Tyler paid for the massage oil and the girl at the booth put it in a gift bag. "Thanks, Emily. That was surprisingly easy."

"Got a way to hide the bag so Abbie doesn't notice?"

"I don't, actually. I guess I'd better head back to the suite and get it under the tree."

"Oh, I'll see you later then!"

"Bye, Emily!"

I ran to the hot cider booth to catch up with the gang. "Hey, Emily! Sorry you missed Chris and Kaitlyn. They already finished up," Zack said.

"By the way, where's Tyler?" Abbie asked.

"Uh..." I said.

"Hang on a second," Zack said.

Zack turned away and let out a large sneeze. "Still not over that cold?" Abbie asked.

"I'm fine. Just a little snuffly. The weekend was awful, though. I was going to go Christmas shopping!"