I pulled out a second tray of sugar cookies from the oven.

My mom walked into the kitchen, already in her scrubs so she could head off to work. “You think you made enough of those?” she teased.

I bit my lip. “You’re right. I think I made too many.”

Then I looked at the kitchen counter behind me, where a full cookie jar sat next to another plate of cookies.

Yeah, maybe I’d overdone it. Again.

I smiled. But the good thing about accidentally making too much? Sharing!

After I set aside cookies for my mom to take to work and to share with Emerson and his family, I still had a couple dozen left.

If these cookies stayed in the house, I knew the dress I’d picked out for Tori’s Christmas party in a couple days would not fit.

Then I thought of the new neighbors next door. The girl named Melissa was only a year younger than me, and she seemed really nice. Surely, she and the rest of her family liked cookies.

Within minutes, I had packed some up in a large Ziploc bag and was on my way over. Unlike most teenagers, I loved baking treats for my neighbors.

My boyfriend Emerson called it weird but cute. I called it a nice thing to do.

I walked toward their driveway and saw that Melissa was already outside, swinging on their old swingset. Her little brothers were out there all the time in the fall, but now it was just her.

I smiled and waved, and she wiped at her face as I came closer.

At first, I thought the cold was making her nose red, but then I saw the evidence of tears she hadn’t managed to brush off. Her red-rimmed blue eyes turned down.

“Hey, Melissa,” I said softly.

She hardly looked up. “Hey, sorry.” She wiped her hands on her jeans.

I took another step closer and offered the bag of cookies. “I thought you guys might like some cookies. I baked a ton and—”

She took the cookies and gave me a small smile. “Thanks, Harper. You’re so sweet to think of us.”

“Sure,” I said. I sat down on the swing next to her, and we slowly swung for a couple minutes, our feet not leaving the ground.

I glanced at her and noticed the tears were back. “What’s wrong?” I asked. “Is everything okay?”

The tears came full force, and she stood up, the bag of cookies still in her hand. I stood too, took in her crumpled face, and gave her a hug. We’d never really talked except on the short bus ride home, but she was always nice and funny and didn’t seem like the person to cry unless something was truly wrong.

After a few minutes, she wiped her nose with the sleeve of her shirt.

I looked at her, and she looked at her feet. “Do you want to talk about it?” I asked.

She exhaled and finally met my gaze. “My dad lost his job a couple weeks ago.”

My mouth fell open. “Oh, Melissa. I’m so sorry. That’s horrible.”

She nodded. “He’s having a hard time finding something else. My mom and dad said we won’t be doing Christmas this year after all. I mean, things were already kind of hard. I don’t really care. I just want him to find another job. But my younger brothers are a little upset about Christmas.”

“I am so sorry, Melissa. About everything. Is there anything I can do to help?” I asked.

She shrugged. “No, it’s okay. I just needed to talk to someone about it, I guess. Thanks for listening.”

She stood up again, and it seemed like she was going to head back inside. Which made sense since it was freezing out here. “Thanks again for the cookies, Harper. My brothers are going to love these.”

I nodded. “Sure thing. And listen, I’m sure he’ll find something sooner or later. I’ll tell my mom, see if she knows of anything, okay?”

For the first time, she cracked a smile, and that made me feel better. “Thank you.” And with that, she headed back inside.

I did the same, sitting on the couch with a sugar cookie of my own and a Christmas movie on TV. However, it just wasn’t the same when I knew Melissa and her family weren’t going to have Christmas this year.

Her brothers were still in elementary school. They probably didn’t understand why they wouldn’t get presents on Christmas morning.

My phone buzzed, interrupting my string of thoughts, and Emerson’s name popped up on my screen.

Emerson: Hey, beautiful ;) will I get to see you tonight?

My heart practically glowed as I read my boyfriend’s message, but I knew the situation at hand needed my full attention if I was going to be able to do anything about it.

Harper: There’s something I have to do. See you at Tori’s Christmas Eve party?

Emerson: Sure, if that means you’ll dance with me :)

Harper: Count on it <3

A smile fading from my face, I stared at our little but perfect Christmas tree. It was stationed right in front of the window so it could be seen from outside. Ornaments of all sizes and glimmering white lights hung from its branches.

The sight was usually enough to put me in a great mood. But not right now.

I unlocked my phone and opened the #BFFs thread.

Harper: Guys, I just found out about a family in need. They can’t afford Christmas this year. My friend’s dad lost his job :( We have to do something about this. Tell me you’re with me? <3

Ella: OF COURSE. Tell me what you need.

Tori: Aw :( same. Let’s help.

Rey: :/ me too. I’m in.

Lena: Count me in!

Reading their immediate replies full of enthusiasm, my heart felt like it might explode. My friends were the best.

Together, we had to find a way to bring Christmas to Melissa and her family.

But how?