Page 2 of The Night Before Christmas
Chapter One
Lana
Someone’s following me.
It’s Christmas break, and I had to stay at the dorms. My parents booked a cruise on the other side of the country, which meant I didn’t have anywhere else to go. My best friends, Jace and Atlas, both had to go home to see their families, so I’m left to celebrate by myself. The plan was to stay in, watch movies and eat junk food for the next few days to distract myself, and that’s exactly what I am doing. But I was running low on snacks, so I had to go out. Even though the majority of students are gone, the campus store continues to serve the small group of us still here during break.
I grab the few things I want and head to the cashier to check out. By the time I get outside, it’s snowing. I can see my breath due to the drastically dropping temperature.
Making my way back to the dormitory, the chilly winter air stings my cheeks while my footsteps echo in the quiet campus. The only sound surrounding me is the gentle crunch of snow beneath my boots. With each step on the snow-covered path, I couldn't help but feel a shiver run down my spine as the streetlights cast long, eerie shadows, creating a chilling and mysterious atmosphere.
Glancing over my shoulder, I can’t shake the feeling that someone’s following me. Every now and then, I catch a glimpse of movement in the corner of my eye, but when I turn around, there’s nothing there. I hear footsteps echoing mine, mirroring my pace exactly. My breath forms puffs of white in the freezing air, and my heart pounds in my chest, matching my quick pace, hoping to shake off whoever might be following me. My steps become more urgent, and I can feel the tension building with each passing minute.
I finally reach the dormitory entrance, a warm glow emanating from the lobby beyond the glass doors. I fumble with my keys, the metal feeling cold against my trembling fingers. Glancing over my shoulder once more, my heart skips a beat as I see a dark-masked figure standing a few yards away.
Just watching.
A nervous chill runs down my spine as I push open the heavy doors and step into the warmth of the lobby. The figure outside only leaves after I’m inside before disappearing into the shadows. My breath comes in ragged gasps as I scan the room, trying to spot any sign of life here, but no one’s there and the few that are here are probably fast asleep.
Relieved but still on edge, I make my way to the elevator, my mind racing with questions. Who had been following me, and why? The elevator ride feels like an eternity, the silence broken only by the soft hum of the machinery.
As the doors slide open on my floor, I race down the hall, not daring to look back. I fumble with my keys once more, finally managing to unlock the door. Once inside, I slam it shut behind me.
Safe inside, I lean against the door, my heart still pounding. There’s a big chance that being alone is making me paranoid. It was probably just a campus security guard or something. I’m used to a bustling college campus, and it’s as if there isn’t a soul here at this time of night. In a lame attempt to get my mind off the weird feelings I got outside, I make sure the door is locked, again, before grabbing the TV remote from the coffee table. Deciding a Christmas Hallmark movie will help distract me.
I’m stuck between wanting to call Jace or Atlas, but I know they’re probably in bed or busy with their families at this time of night. So instead, I look around my barely decorated dorm.
The twinkling lights of my Christmas tree create a gentle glow in the room. Not an ornament in sight. Only the lights that came with the tree. As I finally sit on the couch, wrapped in a cozy blanket, sipping on a cup of hot cocoa. The aroma of cinnamon and pine fills the air, but despite the festive ambiance, a heavy feeling settles in my chest. This Christmas will be different. I don’t mind being alone, but I can’t help the sadness that creeps up as I watch all the happy families in the movie. These movies are almost always terrible, but I can’t help but watch them every year. It reminds me of my mom, and how she always had these on every day as background noise when I got home from school. Now it’s just an odd comfort around the holidays for me.
As my phone goes off from its usual spot on the coffee table, I notice Jace's name popping up on the screen, and I can't help but feel a rush of happiness that fills my chest.
Jace and Atlas have been my closest friends since my first day on campus. I moved across the country to go to this school and let’s just say; it was rough for me. Leaving my family behind was hard, but I don’t regret coming here at all. Because then I wouldn’t have met them. Jace is more of a broody and dominant asshole, but only to everyone other than Atlas and I. Atlas is the complete opposite. He’s a big ball of sweetness. Always caring for others over himself. It’s what I love most about him.
“Lana.” Jace’s smooth voice filters in through the other side of the phone as my fingers run along the couch. “Jace,” I reply. “Why are you still awake?” He asks. Rolling my eyes, I grab the remote and turn off the TV. I move the phone from one ear to the other and walk toward my bedroom.
“How do you know I’m not in bed already?” His chuckle sends a wave of desire straight in between my legs. Is it even possible that someone can have such an impact on me when he isn't even here? Let alone without saying anything sexual?
“I have my ways. Call me in the morning, Princess.”
“Goodnight, Jace.” I end the call and place the phone down on my nightstand. Since I met them, I have had one rule. I couldn’t allow myself to develop feelings for them. It would be destined to end badly.
Plus, I don’t think I can choose between them. I love them both way too much. Unfortunately, the feelings I wanted to avoid have already developed a long time ago.
With a heavy sigh and a sudden throb between my legs, I strip off my clothes until I’m in nothing but my underwear and bra. Those come off next as I grab the t-shirt off my bed that belongs to Atlas, pulling it over my head. I’m instantly surrounded by his scent as I bring the shirt to my nose. Pine and cedarwood fill my senses, and any ounce of unease I had from today melts away. From hearing Jace’s voice and having the comfort of Atlas’s shirt, I feel safe. If only they were here for real.