Page 4 of Unwrapping Ember
Ah, the feeling of Christmas truly is irreplaceable.
As we enter our apartment, I shove aside the unwelcome thoughts of my older stepbrother and his stunning friends. Collapsing onto the couch, I watch as Bella heads to the kitchen.
“When are you leaving?” she inquires, rummaging through the cabinet for a bottle of wine.
“Not until tonight. I still have to pack and all that,” I groan, dreading the tedious task that looms before me.
“Good, then you can have some wine with me,” she laughs, handing me a glass before plopping down beside me. “So, are you going to tell your mom what happened?”
I freeze, the rim of the glass hovering by my lips. “No fucking way. I don’t want anyone to know.” I shake my head firmly, dark memories rushing in from that night.
Concern flickers in Bella's eyes. “But what if he does it again? You have to tell someone,” she insists.
I inhale deeply, battling the memories that threaten to resurface. “I’ll figure it out,” I finally say, taking a sip of wine.
Allthose insignificant encounters with him, along with the texts and notes warning me to stay silent, remain locked away in my mind. No one needs to know about the threats he’s made—how he’s wielded blackmail like a weapon to keep me in line. He’s promised to share the incriminating video with the entire school, which is part of why I’ve kept this to myself—not wanting to endure further humiliation or torment. I’ve faced enough; I refuse to let it continue.
Bella studies me for a moment, concern etched into her features. “You know I’m here for you, right? Whatever happens, you don’t have to go through this alone,” she says softly, her voice laden with sincerity.
I nod, grateful for her unwavering loyalty, even as the shadows of my fears claw at my resolve. “I appreciate that, truly. Right now, I just need to focus on getting through the holidays.”
My heart aches as I think of the laughter and joy that the season usually brings, while I battle internal storms of anxiety and despair all by myself because I’m too afraid to open my mouth to tell someone what happened.
As if sensing my need for lightness, Bella clinks her glass against mine, drawing me back to the present. “To survival! We’re going to enjoy this holiday, even if it fucking kills us—or at least one of those awful fruitcakes from the neighbors!”
Her laughter fills the room, infectious enough to elicit a chuckle from me, and I feel the tension in my shoulders ease slightly. I’ve always loved this about Bella. She knows how to lighten the mood, even when the weight of the world seems to press down upon me.
“Okay, okay! I’ll help you eat that fruitcake. Just promise me you’ll find a way to make it better—maybe douse it in chocolate?” I nudge her, laughing while scrunching my nose at the mention of a holiday fruitcake.
“Now you’re talking! A chocolate-covered fruitcake willdefinitelysave Christmas,” she giggles, and for a moment, it feels as if we are simply two friends lost in holiday cheer, untouched by the darkness that lurks outside our door.
The wine flows, and the conversation shifts from lighthearted banter to reminiscing about our high school days, those innocent moments before everything changed. I tell her stories about our silly traditions, like our annual “hot chocolate Olympics,” where we’d race to make the best cup, complete with unusual toppings we dared each other to try.
As the sun begins to set outside, the warm glow of the fairy lights strung around our apartment fills me with a sense of peace. Yet, the gnawing worry remains just beneath the surface, and I know I can’t keep avoiding it forever. The looming trip to my parents’ feels both exhilarating and terrifying, and with Koda's imminent presence, I worry how my unresolved feelings might surface when confronted with the very essence of my past.
Hours slip by, the sound of Christmas carols streaming through the air as Bella and I dive headfirst into a karaoke session, belting out our favorite tunes with reckless abandon. It feels good to laugh, to momentarily forget about the weight pressing on me. But then, as I glance at the clock and the time grows nearer for me to leave, the reality creeps back in.
“Hey Bella?” I say, the laughter fading as a pensive expression takes form across my face. “Can we talk about Koda? Just... where things stand?”
She pauses, her playful demeanor shifting to a compassionate one as she nestles into the couch. “Of course, bitch. What’s on your mind?”
“I don’t know how to act when I see him. I can still feel that weird tension, the way everything changed between us after...everything.” I fidget with the hem of my sweater, unwilling to meet her gaze.
Bella leans in closer, her expression earnest. “You need to be honest with him, especially if those feelings are still there. Maybe it’s just as complicated for him, you know? You both deserve to be happy,” she says, her voice steady and infused with encouragement.
“Happy?” I manage a laugh, the sound hollow against the surge of emotion welling within me. “What if telling him just opens old wounds? What if he doesn’t feel the same? What if…”
“The fucking what ifs won’t help you,” she interrupts softly, reaching for my hand. “You deserve clarity, Ember. Take it one step at a time. Remember, you don’t have to figure this all out at once. Just take a breath; see how it flows.”
She’s right. I realize that while I can’t control the past, I have the power to shape my future. The way the snow continues to blanket the streets outside reminds me that sometimes, covering up the past isn’t about denying it but rather finding ways to embrace what comes next.
As I take a long, slow breath, I finally allow myself to imagine a different scenario—one of understanding, laughter, and maybe even healing. Christmas is a time for miracles, and perhaps mine is just around the corner.
“I’ll try,” I finally say, a tentative light flickering within me.
“Good. Now let’s finish this bottle and create a toast for your new beginnings,” Bella beams, lifting her glass high as I follow suit with a newfound determination.
“Here’s to new beginnings,” I echo, my heart swelling with hope despite the remnants of fear lurking in the corners of my mind. If there’s one thing I know, it’s that life is full of unexpected twists, and perhaps the magic of the season could guide my path to freedom.