Hollows In Time (✔️) | 'Hollows' Book Ⅱ

Chapter Ninety-Eight

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H o l l o w s I n
T I M E
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Hours passed, and we were now attending a Christmas lunch, which is where I of course exchanged gifts with the girls. They liked all that I bought them, and I appreciated everything that they gifted to me.

I pulled a cracker with Saph, and won for the third time today. We were in the hall, sat a massive table full of our entire year group and Guardians. Every single year group was currently enjoying the same festivities, just in other large rooms. It seems that our year group is probably the biggest. Despite this, after a very elite member of the school council begged—Avery—the teachers organised the dinner so that Bria could attend.

The hall was full of laughter, festive jokes, but most importantly, Christmas music. I had never imagined such a collective happiness. There was not a negative mood in sight. Everyone was grateful for what they could have, despite how big or small.

Jameson reached over the table, offering a cracker to me. I smiled, reached out, and pulled. The cracker collapsed. As in neither of us one. I frowned at the tatters as Jameson caught them. He beamed at me, despite the massive failure. "I guess neither of us lost." He said. He was talking about the cracker, but by the way he was gazing over at me, I felt like we were now talking about something completely different. Our relationship. We both pulled, and pulled—we both put a strain on the relationship, but somehow it survived. It was pure luck. And I would take this second chance.

After the lunch, I was practically comatose, so the girls and I decided to take it slow. We made a beeline for the photobooth before it got packed, and took at least twenty photos whilst our food went down.

"Why can't we just do the Christmas background?" Bria complained for the tenth time.

"Because," Saph responded, choosing the black and white option. "That's not exactly an all year round option." Saph squeezed in between Avery and I. We had already done a black and white one, so whilst Saph got into position, I quickly leaned over and changed the option to the Christmas background. Bria cheered, whilst Saph tried to register what just happened. And that's how the first photo was taken. After that, we had three seconds to shout at Saph to pose instead of complain. She did, but I just knew it would come out fuzzy.

For the third picture, we all posed as someone else in the squad. I chose Cassie and threw myself on the floor as the shutter went. For the last one, we all held each other in a tight embrace.

This was it. The last time I left the Academy, I left knowing I would never know these girls anymore. This time, I knew they were on my side. And friends are the best ammo.

We all left soon after, eager to get ready for the Crystal Ball which started in mere hours. I met up with Alexi and Jameson, practically glowing. They both grinned at me, trying to play off the fact that I had caught them actually conversing. Hmm.

From there, my two Guardians and I took a leisurely stroll outside. I sighed for the fifth time.

"Look, Sky, you know if I could make it snow—I would." Lexi said, picking up on my dismay.

"I know," I mumbled, kicking a stone. "It just ruins Christmas."

"Okay you say that one more time and I'll throw you to the sky. Maybe you'll find some snow up there." Lexi threatened. Jameson chuckled at that, whilst Lexi remained sober. From there on, we passed the time with small talk, and once we reached the dorm, Lexi was about to excuse herself, though promised to be back to get ready with me for the Crystal Ball. But, I stopped her.