the fire between us

chapter 39

The next few days are a whirlwind of holiday cheer and friendly competition. Every day, we wake up eager to tackle the next event—whether it's the scavenger hunt, the gingerbread house contest, or small festive challenges we throw in along the way. The house feels alive with Christmas spirit, filled with laughter and playful banter between the teams.

As the days pass, Marcus and I, as "The Winter Wonders," keep our momentum going, but Nora and Martinus, "The Frosty Flyers," are determined to even the score. The rivalry is fierce, but it's all in good fun. Each victory is met with cheers and good-natured taunts, and we all feel the pressure as we get closer to the final event.

And now, the moment has arrived—the grand finale: the snowman competition. It's simple—whoever builds the best snowman wins the ultimate bragging rights and the title of Christmas champions.

We bundle up in our warmest winter gear, scarves wrapped tight, and hats pulled down over our ears as we step outside into the snowy wonderland that awaits us. The snow is perfect—thick, fluffy, and piled high—ideal for building snowmen. The air is crisp, and the sky is clear, with the sun casting a soft, golden glow over the snow-covered ground.

Marcus looks at me, his breath visible in the chilly air. "This is it. We've got to make this snowman legendary."

I nod, already scanning the yard for the best snow. "Let's go big, classic, and detailed. We need all the traditional touches—a top hat, a carrot nose, the works."

On the other side of the yard, Nora and Martinus are already getting started, huddled together and whispering about their strategy. Knowing them, they're probably planning something bold and creative—maybe a snowman with sunglasses or something totally unexpected.

We dive into the work, rolling the snow into giant, perfect spheres. It takes teamwork and a bit of muscle, but soon, we've got the base, middle, and head stacked in place. Marcus smooths the edges with his gloved hands while I start gathering accessories. I find a scarf, buttons, and sticks for arms, and I quickly carve out a spot for the carrot nose.

"How's it looking?" I ask, stepping back to admire our progress.

Marcus steps back with me, nodding. "Solid. Let's add some final touches to make it stand out."

We find a top hat and place it on our snowman's head, adjusting the scarf to sit just right. Then, I add a couple of pinecones around its base for a rustic, outdoorsy vibe that matches the rest of our theme.

Meanwhile, Nora and Martinus are working quickly, laughing and teasing each other as they construct their snowman. I glance over and realize they're going for something totally unexpected, as always—a snowman with a surfboard made from a piece of wood they found in the garage, complete with sunglasses and a wide, mischievous grin. It's a hilarious and bold twist, just like them.

As we finish up, Marcus and I stand back to admire our snowman. It's tall, traditional, and feels like it stepped right out of a winter postcard. "I think we nailed it," Marcus says, smiling as he adjusts the hat one last time.

"Definitely," I agree. "He's classic and perfect."

Nora and Martinus finish up on their side, too, and we all step back to take in the final results. Their snowman, with its quirky surfboard and sunglasses, is bold and fun—a true reflection of their playful style. Ours, on the other hand, is cozy, traditional, and timeless, just like the rest of our decorations.

We gather around, each team proud of their creation. Marcus chuckles, crossing his arms. "Alright, we've both done our best. Now we need to pick a winner."

Nora grins, nudging Martinus. "I think the choice is obvious. Our snowman has way more personality."

I laugh, shaking my head. "You've got style, sure, but ours is the picture of Christmas tradition."