Snowflakes.// ParkerGames

d e c e m b e r f o u r t h

{ a l i }

"There are no more Santa's left to hire." I sighed when I saw Parker the next day.

"What do you mean there are no more Santa's left to hire?" Jordan asked in.

"I called the agency you gave me the number for last night, and asked to hire one until Christmas, and they said they were all booked!" I could actually start crying. My first job and assignment and I failed. I've already messed up part of the plan to save the mall. I've already failed.

It's just like my uncle used to say. "Ali, you're a failure. You've always been a failure, and you'll always be a failure." My uncle was a cruel man, but it seemed like no matter how many times I tried to prove him wrong, he was always right.

"Hey, it's okay. I might have some way to fix it." Parker said, seeing that my eyes went sad.

"Okay." I couldn't say much more.

"But hey, we got the paint!" Jordan celebrated.

"That's one good thing." I sighed.

"But, we got about the whole first floor with lights! Another good thing!" Parker said happily.

I scratched my arm. "What's everyone doing now?" I asked hesitantly.

"Some are still hanging lights, some scattering snow. You seem troubled, are you okay?" Parker asked, a completely different subject.

I nodded. "Just, thinking about some stuff."

"If you ever need to talk to anyone, feel free to chat with me. I'm all ears." He gave a big smile.

"Thank you." I said. "Did you get an awning?" I asked.

He nodded. "Should be here in less than an hour."

I smiled. "Nice, then we can start painting." I said.

"Parker, uh, can I talk to you?" Jordan said.

"Yeah." They walked away and as hard as it was for me not to try to listen, I ended up hearing a few things.

"How are we going to get a Santa? And elves? And a place to take pictures??" Jordan asked.

I sighed as I stayed quiet, pretending to look at the plan. "I've got a surprise, alright. It's coming in a few days." Parker said. "But I can't tell you because I bet Ali can hear us. Hi Ali."

I tried so hard not to smile, but failed. I smiled.

"See, she's a stalker." Parker laughed.

I rolled my eyes and walked inside the mall. I saw the start of the season. It is, the most wonderful time of year. It just seems everyone's happy around this month, and seeing the mall come together with everyone working together, that made everything better.

I smiled.

-----

"Everyone!" Parker called over the group. "Come on, listen to me, please!" People were fighting. This is not how it was suppose to work.

Everyone shut up once Jordan pressed the button on his horn. "Thank you." He smirked.

"I thought you said you hired a Santa!!" Someone yelled.

"We-" Parker cut me off.

"We did. He's just, running a little late." Parker explained. "He's on the job tomorrow."

"This is stupid. I quit!" The same guy yelled, dropped his clipboard, and walked out.

"Me too." A younger lady said, following the man.

"No, guys! Please!" I yelled.

"This clearly isn't working. How are you gonna make this come together?" A lady asked.

"Don't worry. We've got the paint and we need to finish decorating store fronts. It shouldn't be too hard." I said.

"What about the stuff that hangs from the ceiling?" Someone asked.

"I've got that down. If a few of you would help me that would be greatly appreciated." Jordan asked. I gave him a smile.

I had an idea. "I need five people to come with me, please." I said. And luckily, five people stepped forward and I led them to the storage room. I also managed to snag Carly from her office on the way.

"So, I had this idea. Hear me out here." I said.

"Go on." Carly smiled.

"Remember a few years ago when the mall had a talent show? But, it was during the summer. I was thinking, we do a winter talent show. That would get potentially a lot of people in here and get some holiday spirit in this place." I said.

"I love the idea!" Carly squealed.

"Yeah, but what's the winner get? And who determines the winner?" Some guy asked.

"I've got it!!" Carly said. "We had this contest a while back to win a three hundred dollar gift card to use anywhere in the mall. But the contest got shut down, and I still have the gift card, and that can be the prize!"

"Perfect." I smiled. "And we don't need to have judges until the day anyway. Maybe like you, Carly, and a few other people that seem high up." I suggested.

"Sounds good." Carly said.

"When would it be?" Another random girl asked.

"The nineteenth. That way, it's a day before the inspection. It would be great." I said.

"We just need a way to get it out there." Carly offered.

"Yes, and that's why I asked a few people here. I'll print a ton of flyers tonight and it would be great if you could help get them out to people. Post them in parks, around the town, in neighborhoods. We'd put them up here too, but I've got that covered. I also had the idea to ask my dad to see if he could get his radio stations to play an ad for us." I said. "It shouldn't be too hard." I said.

My dad works at the local radio station, and he's in charge, of course. And he could get them to play some ads between songs. That would be great for us.

I received a few smiles from the group. "This sounds great!" Carly said.

"I'll get to work on those flyers A-S-A-P." I said. "We'll start spreading it tomorrow."

Authors note
HEY
GUYS
HAPPY
FOURTH
OF
DECEMBER
.
CHRISTMAS IS UPON US. IM GETTING EXCITED.

Ok tbh I'm excited for the two week break we get. I need sleep. What I'm not excited for is the exams that come before it >.<

But then I get to hang out and not have a care in the world. ^-^

That's all I've got for today. So I hope you enjoyed the chapter, and if you did, leave a vote! Thank you for reading and I hope you're enjoying this book!

-Lilly