𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐚 | ✓

s e v e n t e e n

Magnolia was awoken by her parents at 9am on Christmas morning. After rolling out of bed, she slipped on her robe and went downstairs.

She joined her parents on the couch while Peter sat on the floor, so he could hand out gifts. Magnolia usually gets standard gifts like nail polish, body spray, socks, etc. It's never anything super extravagant.

In all honesty, she was just happy to be home with her family. Her parents are often working, so it's usually just her and Peter. It's easy to take things like family time for granted. You never know when you will get moments like these again.

Brad and Charlotte were feeling the same way this morning. For them especially, they never know when Anne will be around again. They are grateful for everything she does for them, but they can't help but envy her for being gone so often.

Brad was laying on the couch while Charlotte and Anne were sitting on the floor, laughing about something. They had already finished unwrapping gifts. Brad received some pretty normal things, like cologne, clothes for and a few other miscellaneous items.

When Anne said, "Oh! I forgot one!" Brad perked up on the couch, intrigued by what it is. His jaw dropped when he saw her rolling a brand new piano out of the closet. "Figured you needed something better than what you have now if you're going to get into Juilliard."

Brad almost started crying. Not only has she taken notice in his piano playing, but she also noticed how much he loves it. Juilliard is one of the most pretentious music schools and it is Brad's dream school. His audition is coming up in February.

He immediately wrapped his arms around her and squeezed as tight as he could. This was when Brad noticed that he hasn't hugged his mother in a very long time.

"I love you," he breathed out. "I love you so much."

"I love you too, baby boy. Now go look at your new toy."

Brad then pulled away and looked at Charlotte who was sitting on the floor, smiling like an idiot. "Did you know about this?"

"It took everything in me to keep it from you," she smiles. "I'm happy the torture is finally over."

He then sat down on the piano bench with a wide grin and pressed down a key. You should have seen the look in his eyes when he heard it for the first time.

The sound was almost as beautiful as the voice of his Magnolia.

The piano reminded Brad of many things. He started playing during his parents divorce in attempt to drown out the yelling between the two. It didn't really help, but if it weren't for their divorce, he wouldn't have discovered his love and talent for it. It was a blessing in disguise.

Brad has never taken music courses at school because he was afraid of people thinking he was a nerd. He often pulls all nighters to learn everything he would have learned in those classes by himself in order to be ready for his Juilliard audition.

After sitting at the piano for awhile, it made Brad think about Magnolia. He misses her hugs and her smile. He misses her. No girl will ever compare to her in any way shape or form and that only broke his heart more.

Reluctantly, he takes out his phone and sends her a text.

Merry Christmas, beautiful girl. Hope Santa treated you well xx

Magnolia didn't see the text right away. She was eating breakfast with her family while her phone was in the other room.

"I can't believe it's your last Christmas while in high school," Peter and Magnolia's mom gushes. "It feels like just yesterday when you were in diapers."

Peter smiles, "Pretty soon dad will need adult ones, so you'll get back in the habit of changing them."

All four of them laughed, enjoying their breakfast. Magnolia was smiling, but deep down she was sad. Sad that she couldn't buy Brad a Christmas gift. Sad that she can't hug or kiss him anymore. She wants her boy back.

Soon after they finished eating, Magnolia went to go put a new phone case on her phone. As she does so, her phone lit up and she sees the text from Brad.

Her lips curl into a smile, reading it over and over again to be sure that it's real. Based on their conversation at the party yesterday, it didn't seem like Brad wanted to see her ever again.

Merry Christmas to you too :) And yes, he did treat me well

With a sigh, she sent the reply. Throughout the night, she kept waiting for a reply, even though she knew there never would be one.

Magnolia and Charlotte were now on FaceTime, showing each other what they received today. Charlotte couldn't stop talking about how Alex surprised her this morning with her favorite juice that you can only get from Hawaii.

"Charlotte?" Magnolia asked, picking at her nails nervously.

"Yeah?"

"I was watching a show and I have something to ask you something. Well, it's more like a what would you do situation," she lies and Charlotte nods. "If you really, I mean, really liked someone, but you couldn't be together because it would hurt someone else, would you still be with that person?"

"How bad would the other person be hurt if they were to be together?"

"Pretty bad, I think."

"Well, if you're really close to that person, and they really love you, then they should find a way to come to terms with them being together."

Magnolia nods, "Okay. I was just wondering."

"What show is it?"

"Hm?"

"What show is it? The one that the situation is from."

"Oh—it's just some random thing that Peter had on. I didn't get the name of it."

"Oh, okay. Well let me know if you find out. You know how I love a good teen drama. It makes me wish my life was more drama filled sometimes."

"Yeah—I'll let you know if I find out."

unedited.