Christmas Eve. You're all dolled up, even if it's your most hated holiday. The Grinch in the body of a teenager, but it wasn't always like that. You used to enjoy playing around with your cousins, finding gifts under the tree at midnight, the magic of it all.

But your cousins didn't speak to you anymore. And you didn't receive gifts anymore. The magic had died. And you weren't strong enough to accept it and move on. You were supposed to be an adult, after all.

Your boyfriend sends you a message as you stare at the colorful lights on the wall: a picture of him holding a puppy. "New addition to the family! ❤"

"That's the cutest thing EVER," you type with a smile. "Oh, and the puppy is adorable too."

You had dinner already, and now you're not so sure of what to do besides laying on the couch with your phone. You wish Nick was here with you, but you didn't want him with your family. You don't want him to be there.

Time passes, and you feel a heaviness in your heart that has no reason to be there other than as a reminder that it's that time of the year, again. When your parents embarrass you in front of everyone simply because you're not in the mood, or maybe they are the ones embarrassed of you. "Look at your sister, how involved with the family she is," everyone laughs, she only smiles a bit as she looks down. It's not her fault, you have to remind yourself.

You get up and slowly walk to the bathroom, you don't want to make a scene. Everyone whispers behind your back anyways. You look in the mirror, your cheeks feel warm. You want to cry, you will.

Your lungs fill with a deep breath, your brows furrowed. You won't be doing this one more year.

Keys in hand, you rush outside without making any sounds, dissappearing in the night. The cold air makes you shiver, but you couldn't care less. You start running to Nick's house before you can think twice of it.

He opens the door, his sweet expression turned into worry as he sees you, your hair messy, your face red. You press yourself into his chest, sobbing.