Essel’s Pov
Ah, December. I exhaled wistfully as I placed my books into my locker. "I can almost sense it in the air."
"I believe what you're sensing is the pinecone air freshener in your locker, Essel," Ella remarked. She leaned against the adjacent locker while securing her dark brown hair into a ponytail.
"What do you mean?" I replied, a hint of defensiveness in my tone. "I was trying to eliminate the smell of fresh paint from my locker."
"I was curious about the sudden appearance of holly decorations at the corners of your door," she said, tapping her chin as if in contemplation, though her expression clearly conveyed sarcasm.
"Well, I genuinely enjoy the holiday season," I replied with a shrug and a smile, shutting the metal door.
"And guess who doesn't," Ella muttered quietly.
