As the year neared its end, Silvia and Camila hatched a plan to celebrate Christmas Eve together. Silvia, draped in a scarlet red midi dress, meticulously examined her reflection in the mirror. With precision, she applied a deep red lip tint, adding the finishing touch to her festive appearance. A radiant smiled adorned her reflection, and she was ready for the evening’s festivities.

Just in the nick of time, Camila waltzed onto her doorstep, her presence punctuated by the chime of the doorbell. Silvia swung the door open, her enthusiasm bubbling over. Camila, brimming with confidence, donned a shorter form-fitting red dress that mirrored her bold personality. Her makeup was impeccably done, and her jewellery sparkled, adding the final touches to her glamorous ensemble.

Before embarking on their night of celebration, Silvia hesitated, feeling compelled to share something with Camila. “There’s something I wanted to tell you before we head out.”

Camila, attuned to her friend’s emotional nuances, picked up on the uneasiness immediately. “Oh god, what happened this time?”

Taking a deep breath, Silvia gathered her thoughts. “Dane told me he has feelings for me.”

Camila’s reaction wasn’t what Silvia had expected. She didn’t display shock nor surprise at the revelation; instead, she responded with an insightful look. “Yeah…I kind of already sensed that.”

Silvia’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Wait, what? You knew?”

“He didn’t confide in me, but I had a feeling a while ago. I didn’t say anything in case I was wrong, which, as you know, I never am. Hearing that he likes you just proves my point. So, how did you respond?”

“That’s the thing, I didn’t.”

Camila burst into laughter, charmed by Silvia’s unintentional humour. “That’s so like you. I guess you needed some time to process it before you could say a response.”

“Yeah, I’ve never had anyone confess their feelings to me. Anyway, enough of this before I die of embarrassment. Let’s go!” Silvia tugged on Camila’s arm, eager to leave the topic behind.

They strolled into a bustling promenade, where a lively nighttime event was in full swing. At the heart of the area stood an enormous Christmas tree adorned with oversized baubles, sparkling tinsel, and an array of colourful lights that danced to the rhythm of the holiday music. Next to it, a towering antique clock tower marked the passage of time, its hand inching ever closer to midnight, creating an air of excitement. The festive decorations captivated fascinated onlookers, who eagerly snapped photos with their loved ones to immortalise the enchanting holiday spirit.

Before Silvia and Camila could reach the dazzling tree, a cheerful staff member, dressed as an elf, emerged from the crowd. He playfully skipped towards them, offering complimentary Santa hats with a flourish. Gratefully, they each accepted the festive headwear and placed it atop their heads, adding a touch of whimsy to their appearance as they continued their journey towards the centrepiece of the event.

As they ventured further into the bustling crowd, a familiar, resonant voice rang out, cutting through the festive cacophony. “Silvia!”

Startled, Silvia and Camila spun around, their broad grins fading as they spotted Aiden and Dane, also sporting Santa hats, making their way towards them. The girls couldn’t hide their disappointment at the unexpected encounter, while the boys, elated by the sight of the resplendently red-clad girls, were in high spirits. Silvia instinctively shied away, seeking safety behind Camila, to avoid direct contact with Dane.

“I can’t believe you guys are here too,” Dane exclaimed with enthusiasm as he drew closer to them.

Camila released an audible sigh, her sarcasm dripping from her words. “Wow, how exciting…”

Aiden’s gaze lingered on Silvia, who remained concealed behind Camila’s protective stance. “I’m guessing you’re still here on your break, Silvia.”

Silvia cautiously peeked her head out from behind Camila, her heart racing at the sound of her name in Aiden’s deep voice. “U-um, that’s right.”

Aiden flashed a pleased smile. “You both look even more beautiful than usual.”

Camila waved off his compliments dismissively. “Oh, save it.”

Dane, not one to be easily deterred, suggested, “It’s almost midnight. Let’s take a photo together by the tree.”

Camila resisted, her voice unsteady. “No, no, no, that’s not part of our plan.”

Dane persisted in trying to persuade her. “Come on, Christmas only comes once a year, and since we’re all here together, we might as well.”

Camila, ever perceptive, studied Aiden and Dane, fully aware of their infatuation with Silvia. Silvia, glancing at the time on the towering clock, realised that there was just five minutes until midnight.

Camila continued to push the boys away. “Why on earth would I want a picture with you two dimwits?”

“I’m totally fine with it,” Silvia blurted out unexpectedly. All three pairs of eyes locked onto her, causing her to gulp nervously. “I-I mean, Dane’s right…since we’re all here. You know, the more, the merrier. It’s almost midnight, so we better hurry! I know someone who can capture the perfect shot for us.”

She firmly seized the awestruck Camila by the arm, and the two boys followed in their wake, appreciating Silvia’s agreement. Silvia approached the same elf who had distributed the Santa hats and extended her phone’s camera to him. He immediately grasped the situation and courteously took hold of her phone as the group hurried towards the brightly illuminated tree. Most of the crowd had their attention fixed on the clock tower, just seconds away from striking midnight—a perfect backdrop for their photograph. The elf initiated the countdown from three.

Silvia beamed with infectious joy. “Smile, guys!”

They all complied, their smiles authentic and radiant. Their eyes sparkled with a shared joy, basking in the magic of the moment. In unison, the elf, a silent witness to this extraordinary scene, expertly captured this special moment on her phone—an image that Silvia would hold close to her heart. It was a memory that would remain engraved in her soul until the end of time—a testament to the bonds of unexpected friendship and the fleeting enchantment of a Christmas Eve under the twinkling stars.