ellie wasn't a huge fan of christmas. and now it was her first one without joel.

it had been almost a year without him, and you guys were back in jackson. ellie was slowly returning to her old self, and you were helping her; everyone was.

you wake up on christmas morning and head to her house with gifts. you two are best friends, sometimes more, and she's your favorite person in the world. you knock on her door in your sweater and tights and she opens it.

"there's my girl." you say, smiling

"merry christmas." she says back, pulling you into the doorway for a hug, with a faint smile. you hug her back.

you both go inside and sit by her lackluster tree.