Christmas Eve was also one of those big sales days. The sharper merchants on the street had decorated their storefronts early, hanging colorful string lights on the bare branches of old trees while cheerful Christmas songs played inside the shops. Some had even set out lush green Christmas trees right by the entrance.
A luxury sedan cruised down the street. Through the window the bright, bustling night scene filled Noah's eyes—twinkling lights, pedestrians in elegant winter coats moving back and forth.
"Want to walk around the shops first?" Grace asked, turning the wheel as she glanced at Evelyn in the passenger seat.
"Is Nate hungry?" Evelyn turned around to ask.
"I'm fine. If you want to look around, we can."
"Then let's keep Grace company."
Grace parked along the edge of the commercial street. The doors opened and the moment they left the warm car the icy night air rushed in. Evelyn turned back and unwound the scarf from her own neck, wrapping it carefully around Noah's.
"Your neck's already red from the cold. You need to wear more."
"What about you?"
"I'm dressed warmly. No need to worry about me."
"Save the sweet talk for later. Come on, let's see if there's anything you like." Grace pushed open the door to a nearby accessory shop. The other two followed her inside.
The store was cozy, filled with warm lighting and heated air that shut out the occasional stares from the street. Grace's eyes were drawn straight to the finely crafted decorations on the shelves.
Evelyn scanned the dazzling array of accessories and picked up a silver-white necklace, examining it closely. "This necklace is beautiful."
"Yeah, the design is really nice. You like it, Evelyn? I'll get it for you."
"But I don't really like wearing ornaments."
"Then what about that bracelet on your wrist?" Grace teased with a pointed look, glancing at Evelyn's wrist only to notice it wasn't the old one. "Hm? It's not that old-fashioned one anymore. Weren't you saying that was from Nate?"
"This one is too."
"Nate's taste has improved."
Grace said this and glanced back at Noah. The boy seemed completely uninterested, sitting alone in the corner staring at his phone.
She lowered her voice and leaned close to Evelyn's ear, pretending to browse the counter items as cover. "Did I interrupt your night alone with Nate too much?"
"Not really. It's actually a bit livelier with you here."
"How's everything going?"
"Is it really okay to gossip about your own student like this, Grace?"
"Says the one seducing her own student. Shameless."
"I raised him myself. Why shouldn't I be able to touch him?" As she spoke, Evelyn's gaze suddenly caught on the collar tucked at the very bottom of the display. It was part of the merchandise too—simple, attractive design, the material pleasant to the touch.
She picked up the collar and turned, about to ask the clerk behind the counter, but noticed the young girl's eyes kept drifting toward Noah in the corner. The look in them was obvious, carrying the kind of covetous interest she hated most.
"You sell these too?" Evelyn called out to her. The clerk startled and snapped back to attention.
"This is…" The young girl looked embarrassed, clearly reluctant to explain the item. "The manager ordered them from the supplier. Winter collection. We only stocked a few pieces."
Evelyn held the collar openly and walked straight over to Noah. The boy still hadn't noticed, head down on his phone, until the familiar black sneakers entered his view. He lifted his head, startled.
"Sis?"
The collar was already open. In the instant he looked up, she slipped it smoothly around his neck. Evelyn studied him and nodded with satisfaction. "It fits you perfectly."
"What is this? I'm not a dog."
"Aren't you my little puppy, Nate? It looks really good on you."
"Does it have to be…"
"No need to wear it right now. If Nate doesn't like it, we can take it off for now." She removed the collar again and set it in front of the girl. "I'll take this one. Please wrap it up."
"O-okay…"
The young clerk's shoulders trembled slightly under Evelyn's gaze. She wasn't sure if it was her imagination, but the woman's eyes felt heavy with warning, like the calculating villain in a horror movie who had just locked onto her next target.
After paying and leaving the accessory shop, the next place Grace chose was a women's clothing boutique. She and Evelyn stepped inside, but Noah paused at the entrance. He spotted a familiar figure ahead who had stopped walking. The girl seemed to have been watching them.
Noah glanced back at Evelyn and Grace, already absorbed in the elegant clothes inside the store. Just as he was about to follow, Lila Vale came hurrying over in her combat boots. The girl looked up at him, her pretty eyes full of delight.
"You're out shopping too," Lila Vale asked with a bright smile.
"Yeah. I'm with my sister and her friend. What about you?"
"My roommates dragged me out. They're buying snacks over there." She opened the plastic bag in her hand and pressed a beautifully packaged little red box into Noah's palm. "A Christmas Eve apple. Merry Christmas Eve."
He held the bright red box, hesitated for a second, then accepted it. "Thanks… Merry Christmas Eve."
"There's a snack stall up ahead. Their sugar pancakes are really delicious. Want to come with us?"
"I probably shouldn't. I need to wait for my sister and the others."
"It'll just take a minute. They're still inside picking clothes anyway. Come on, my treat."
Noah was still debating whether to politely refuse when Lila Vale took his hand. Her slender, soft fingers laced tightly through his.
Pulled along behind the group of girls, the others noticed them joining and turned their knowing looks straight onto him.
It felt just like the old days when they were still together.
He recognized Lila Vale's roommates—one was Maya, the girl Miles had a thing for, plus two other outgoing, friendly young women. They used to tease him with light, harmless jokes all the time.
Just like now, the girls fell into their old habit, giggling as they ribbed him. "Noah looks really sharp today. Out on a date or something?"
"Barely broken up and already moving on? Lila's gonna be devastated."
"Lila's been talking about you nonstop in the dorm, totally out of it. She's been so sad."
"Stop it, you guys. I finally got him to come." Lila Vale shot them a glare, her cheeks flushing pink.
"It's fine. You all… Merry Christmas Eve too." Noah glanced sideways at Lila Vale. "Let's go then. Weren't we getting those sugar pancakes?"
After all, they were still friends. He wanted to keep things amicable. But he knew he should make it quick—his sister definitely wouldn't want to see him spending time with Lila Vale.
"Yeah, let's go."