Winning Skylinn

17

Once Denver and I got off the phone, I decided to go ahead and get ready for the Music of Christmas. It started at five.

I took a quick shower, then looked through my closet for something to wear. I'd forgotten to choose a dress beforehand.

At last, I settled on a simple black dress with short sleeves and a flowy skirt. I paired it with a crimson belt and diamond studs for earrings.

Once my hair was dry, I curled it and pinned the top back with a red bow. Now for the fun part: makeup!

I took my time, going all out with the different cosmetics. When I was finished, my blue eyes stood out with a smokey eye, and my lips were a deep shade of red.

Next, I wrapped Jake's present. I knew she would love the scarf and earrings! I wrote her a short but sweet card and slipped it in the side of the bag.

After putting on perfume and red suede wedges, I was ready to go. I went downstairs, trying not to fall in the five-inch shoes, and Mom immediately started gushing. "You look gorgeous! I love the shoes!" They had a strap across the ankle with a little bow attached to the side. They'd been a birthday present from Jake last spring.

"Thanks." I wished I could've given her the scarf to wear, but I didn't have anything else for tomorrow, so I kept quiet.

When everyone was dressed and ready, we headed out to the church for the Music of Christmas.

~~

When the Cox's first moved here, I found out quickly that it was because Jonny's dad was a pastor. They were transitioning out of their old church in California because they felt God calling them to start their own church in Orlando, Florida.

It was a long process, but they were able to build their own place and start up by the time Jonny was seven. My family and I had stopped going to church a few years back; we just got too busy, my dad said. But when the Cox family started their church, mine got back in the habit of going.

They started the Music of Christmas when Jonny and I were ten. By then, they had enough people to even out the choir, musicians, and guests. The congregation was at least 300!

Neither Jonny nor I could sing well, so we never participated in the concerts. But I'd always enjoyed going. The music made sunny Orlando feel Christmassy even without the snow!

~~

When I got home, I thought about all that had happened. Jake had loved her presents-I knew she would. Jonny told me I looked beautiful. I had mixed feelings when he said that. On the one hand, it was sweet and I was flattered. But on the other hand, it just made me think of Denver and how he would've said something similar had he been there.

I checked my phone for any messages from him, but there were none. So I put on my Christmas pj's: a red cotton nightgown with thin black straps and the words 'Naughty or Nice' written across the front. Then I climbed into bed, and went to sleep.

The next morning, my mom woke me up around eight. "Merry Christmas, Skylinn!" she practically sang.

I rubbed the sleep from my eyes and sat up in bed. "Merry Christmas, Mom."

Before going downstairs to open presents, I brushed my hair and teeth. I could smell coffee, and knew it was my dad brewing a pot. I flew down the stairs and kissed him on the cheek. "Merry Christmas, Dad."

"Morning, hon." He kissed the top of my head. "I believe your mom made some pancakes?"

Mmm, my favorite! Sure enough, there was a stack of pancakes sitting on the table. I got strawberries and whipped cream out of the fridge and put three pancakes on my plate. What, I was hungry.