Harper and I had less than twelve hours left to make Christmas happen for Melissa and her family. And so far, we’d managed to raise less than eighty dollars.

I could tell she was disappointed, but I assured her we could do a lot with that much money. Get Melissa and each of her two brothers one great gift each. Maybe buy a few groceries if we found some good deals.

Harper was the queen of finding good bargains, and today she’d be testing her skills at our local big box store.

I was on my way to pick her up so we could head there, but I had to make one stop first.

My old house came into view, and I slowly entered the driveway. I hadn’t been here in months. Almost a year. I could have recognized it anywhere, but at the same time, it felt foreign to me. Like I hadn’t lived there in years.

I wondered if Sophia was home. The garage was closed, so I couldn’t tell if her car was there, but Lindsay’s car sat parked right in front of mine.

Ella: I’m here.

I sent the text to them in our rarely used group message and waited.

Sure, I could have gone to the front door, but maybe I wasn’t welcome here anymore, even if this had been my childhood home.

My stepsisters and I got along fine now, but maybe it’d be better if I didn’t run into Sophia. I had no idea how she felt about me after everything that had gone down between us the last time we’d seen each other.

The front door opened, and I exhaled.

It was Lindsay. She waved to me, and I got out of my car, only turning back to grab the overstuffed gift bags from my front passenger seat.

When I made my way toward her, Courtney joined Lindsay on the porch. They were still in their Christmas-themed socks. Lindsay wore a super long red cardigan and jeans while Courtney sported an off-white sweater dress and leggings.

“You both look so cute,” I said, giving them each a hug.

“Thanks,” Lindsay replied.

Things were still a tiny bit awkward between us, but that was okay.

I handed them their gifts. “I just wanted to drop these off.”

Lindsay beamed down at her present. “Oh, I want to open it, but I also want to wait until Christmas morning.”

“Me too,” Courtney said with a smile.

“Then wait,” I said. “Anyway, I just wanted to make sure you guys got these. And to say Merry Christmas.”

They nodded. “Merry Christmas, Ella,” Lindsay said.

“And thank you,” Courtney said. “But wait right here.”

They ran back inside and came out a few seconds later with a large wrapped box with a huge bow on it. “For you,” she said.

“Oh,” I said, surprised. I took it. It was kind of heavy. “Thanks!”

I wondered what it was. Big Christmas presents were the best, and I couldn’t wait to open it.

“You guys are awesome,” I said, not believing they’d gotten me something too.

We said our goodbyes, and I made my way back to my car. Once inside, I turned on the car and then looked at the gift one more time. I noticed the tag in the corner.

To: Ella

From: Lindsay, Courtney, and Sophia

I stared at Sophia’s name for several seconds. Maybe it was the season. Or maybe Sophia was finally starting to come around.

Despite the cold, my heart warmed.