3rd

It is said that Christmas is a time for joy and cheer. That everyone comes home for the holidays. It is said that Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year.

But when our faith in these common knowledge sayings fall through, when our lives get turned upside-down, we turn to unexpected and even childish ideals.

We wish, we hope, some pray and some believe that nothing will change their loneliness on the holidays.

Our story begins only four days from Christmas. Snow has fallen and so have the spirits of the high school students you'll be meeting.

Each one of them has reached some degree of sadness and it suddenly becomes up to their hopes and dreams to make this holiday season worthwhile.

They'll experience events and encounters that may have been by chance or maybe by fate.

Which one you ask?

Well you must ask yourself this question first.

Do you believe?

Thalia

You're not supposed to want him back Thals. You're not supposed to still claim you like him. He hurt you, you dumped him. You shouldn't still care about him. You shouldn't like him anymore.

But I do. And I can't help it.

I think about these things a lot more than I should. Even now when I'm heading off to one of my favorite days of the year I can't help but think about it and him.

You see, every year a few days before Christmas my friends and I all meet in one of the local parks before going window shopping and ice skating. After ice skating we head over to my cousin Percy's place for blue hot chocolate and a gift exchange.

It is seriously my favorite day of the year. Just the pure feeling of joy you get before the big holiday. It's weird, but no matter what there is always that feeling of wonder before Christmas, I don't care who you are.

I'm walking to the park now for our yearly festivities. The snow lightens it's flurries now as I near the park.

I've always loved the snow in New York. It calms me. Makes me feel alright. Magical even. Come on, Christmas lights and snow in the city. It makes everyone giddy.

Even when you feel like you're lost and alone because the boy you thought you were in love with hurt you, badly. Suddenly your world doesn't make sense anymore because he was your world.

Maybe I'm making too big a deal about it. Maybe it doesn't matter so much.

But... I have to say this now. I freaking love Luke Castellan. That's right present tense. I love him.

Percy and Jason say I'm not supposed to want that anymore. Annabeth agrees. So does Hazel, and Frank, and Nico, and Clarisse, and Chris, and Grover, and Juniper, and Silena, and Reyna, and every freaking person I know but it's true.

I love Luke Castellan and I hate myself for it.

Because you're not supposed to love the person who did things to you no one deserves to have happen. I hate him most of the time. But the rest of the time? I forgive him. Because I love him.

And I always find myself wishing he'd show up in my life just to explain everything to me.

So now as I stand on the snow dusted sidewalk on my way to the park I whisper under my breath, "If Christmas is about wishes, then mine goes to him. I wish he would spend Christmas with me."

Then I continue my walk. As if I wasn't just thinking about Luke again and everything is actually okay with me.

When I get to the park I see Percy and Annabeth having a tongue war on the bench. I have no choice but to stop them, it's my contribution to society, so they don't have to watch the obnoxious couple on the frozen bench sucking face. I should be getting paid for my service to the community.

"Hey lovebirds, keep it real would ya?" I smirk standing over them.

"Sorry Thals. It was just cold." Percy assures me. Annabeth jabs him in between the ribs.

"Where's Jason?" I ask. Jason is my baby brother.

"Avoiding miss. Prim and Proper." Percy tells me.

"I liked Reyna, it's a shame they had to break up." I say, "Are we going for a walk?"

"Yeah, I bet Frank and Hazel will show up by the fountain."

"Sure." I say. Christmas in the big city. What more could you ask for? And don't remind me of Luke in the process.

Annabeth and Percy talk to me about college, since next year I'll be out of high school. I already got my acceptance to NYU.

As we walk through the park, the wind picks up a bit so the snow makes tiny tornadoes on the ground. We should have met up with everyone by now.

"I guess Jason got held up after practice. Reyna probably thought it was too damn cold." Percy defends them.

"Yeah and Frank and Hazel are where exactly?"

"Probably... Like... I don't know. Looking at teapots?" Percy shrugs.

"Percy! Don't be rude." Annabeth scolds.

"What? It's not like they do anything bad. They probably just kiss each others cheeks. No lips yet. Too much chivalry!"

"Percy! Chivalry is a good thing." Annabeth laughs.

"Not in excess wise girl." He says kissing her again. While they're distracted I feel my phone buzz in my pocket.

Jason sent me a text; Hey sis, I'll be late. Coach kept us. Don't be mad!

"Jason will be late." I mutter. But Annabeth and Percy are in their own world. Before I can put my phone back in my pocket it vibrates in my hand.

My eyes widen at the name.

Luke, I still have Luke's number in my phone and he's texted me.

Luke says; Hey Thals... I know I'm the last person you want to hear from... But I heard you got into NYU. Congrats... Merry Christmas BTW... Um Thals. Call me?

My mouth goes dry. Should I fight the urge to call him or do I go for it? On one hand how can I refuse? On the other... Help! I shouldn't want this but I so freaking do.

Percy and Annabeth are still going at it so I can slip away to make the call. It won't take that long right?

I wander off on my own a ways, just until I'm out of their sight. Then I call him.

I beg internally that he'll pick up because yes I become a pathetic, stupid, useless teenage girl around him. Don't you dare judge me! I'm only telling you this because I trust you.

He picks up much to my shock and amazement.

"Hey Thals."

My heart beat increases no matter what I do about it, "Hey Luke."

"What's up?"

"Just meeting up with some friends before Christmas... Like every year."

"The Christmas meet up."

"Yeah..." I say breathless because yes he keeps doing that thing to me. He's had this power over me since we started dating Freshmen year.

"I... Look I know I screwed up Thals. Big time. I know, you know how much of a screw up I am. But, come see me. You know where I'll be. I'm here now and I'll be waiting here all night. Just for you."

"Luke... I-"

"You don't have to come. Just think about it. Okay?"

"Okay."

"Bye Thals."

"Bye Luke."

Oh god, this better not be a trick. Please let this not be a trick.