The Girl that No-one See

Little Town

The snow continued to fall as Grandma's old pickup truck rumbled down the country road, leaving Paradise Valley Ranch behind.

Sienna sat in the passenger seat while Kristopher squeezed into the back beside a collection of reusable shopping bags, cool boxes and empty crates.

Grandma smiled as she drove.

"Jupiter may be a small town..."

"But it's got everything we need."

Kristopher looked out of the window at the rolling countryside covered in fresh snow.

"It's beautiful out here."

"It feels like everyone knows everyone."

Grandma laughed.

"That's because they do."

"If you sneeze on one side of town..."

"Someone on the other side will probably say, 'Bless you.'"

Everyone laughed.

Twenty minutes later, the truck rolled beneath a large wooden sign that read:

Welcome to Jupiter, Texas

Population: 2,184

The town looked as though it had been lifted straight from a Christmas postcard.

Snow rested on the rooftops of old brick buildings.

A huge Christmas tree stood proudly in the middle of the town square, decorated with red bows, golden stars and thousands of tiny white lights.

Garlands wrapped around every lamp post.

Children laughed as they built snowmen in the park while Christmas music drifted softly from speakers outside the local café.

Kristopher smiled.

"This place is incredible."

Grandma grinned.

"I told you."

"Jupiter might be small..."

"But we've got the biggest hearts in Texas."

As the pickup pulled into the car park, several townsfolk immediately waved.

"Morning, Eleanor!"

called an elderly man sweeping the snow from outside his hardware shop.

"Morning, Joe!" Grandma waved back.

A woman carrying shopping bags smiled at Sienna.

"Well, if it isn't little Miss Hart."

"It's been far too long."

Sienna smiled warmly.

"Morning, Mrs Wilson."

"It's good to be back."

Mrs Wilson looked at Kristopher before smiling knowingly.

"And who's this handsome young man?"

Before Sienna could answer, Grandma spoke with a twinkle in her eye.

"This is Kristopher."

"He's staying with us over Christmas."

Mrs Wilson smiled.

"It's lovely to meet you."

Kristopher politely shook her hand.

"It's lovely to meet you too."

As they continued through the town, almost everyone stopped to greet Sienna.

The owner of the bakery stepped outside with a warm loaf of bread.

The florist waved from across the street.

Even the local sheriff tipped his hat as he drove past.

Kristopher looked at Sienna in amazement.

"You know everyone."

Sienna laughed.

"I grew up spending every Christmas and summer here."

"This place has always felt like a second home."

Grandma gently corrected her.

"No, sweetheart."

She smiled affectionately.

"This isn't your second home."

"It's simply another home."

Sienna smiled, her heart warming at the words.

Together, the three of them walked into the town's general store, where Grandma unfolded a shopping list that seemed to stretch halfway to the floor.

Kristopher's eyes widened.

"I thought you said we were only getting a few things."

Grandma laughed.

"I did."

"This is only the first shop."

Kristopher looked at Sienna dramatically.

"I should've brought reinforcements."

Sienna burst into laughter.

"You'll survive."

"I hope so," he replied, reaching for the first trolley.

Grandma looked at the size of her shopping list, then at the growing pile of festive food already sitting near the entrance.

She smiled mischievously.

"Actually..."

"I think I was right."

"We're definitely going to need two trolleys.” Just inside the entrance of the general store,

Kristopher stared at it in disbelief.

"Grandma..."

"Are we feeding the whole of Texas?"

Grandma laughed.

"No. Just this family."

She glanced at the list before tearing it neatly in half.

"There."

She handed one half to Sienna.

"You and Kristopher can take this side."

Sienna looked down and laughed.

"This isn't exactly the easy half."

Kristopher leaned over her shoulder to read it.

Two frozen turkeys.

Three large hams.

Four packs of sausages.

Bacon.

Mince.

Steaks.

Chicken breasts.

Five boxes of crisps.

Soft drinks.

Fruit juice.

Sparkling water.

Hot chocolate.

Coffee.

He looked back at Grandma.

"This is half?"

Grandma smiled innocently.

"Well, there are a lot of mouths to feed."

She winked.

"And I know your brother Jordan."

"He eats enough for two growing boys."

Sienna laughed.

"That's true."

Grandma folded the remaining half of the list and slipped it into her pocket.

"I'll get the baking supplies, vegetables, fruit, dairy products and everything else."

She pointed towards the far end of the shop.

"You two start with the meat counter."

"Then work your way through the drinks aisle."

Kristopher looked at the two empty trolleys waiting by the entrance.

"I've got a feeling one trolley isn't going to be enough."

Grandma grinned.

"That's why I told you to take two."

Sienna picked up one trolley while Kristopher grabbed the other.

As they headed towards the meat section, Grandma called after them.

"And no disappearing into the sweet aisle!"

Kristopher smiled over his shoulder.

"I make no promises!"

Grandma laughed.

"I heard that!"

Sienna shook her head, laughing as they disappeared down the first aisle together.

"This shopping trip is going to be interesting."

Kristopher looked at the enormous shopping list.

"I've survived wrestling practice."

"But I'm not sure I'm going to survive shopping with your grandmother."

Sienna smiled.

"Oh, don't worry..."

"The real challenge starts when she gets to the checkout and remembers everything she forgot."

Kristopher groaned dramatically.

"I knew there was a catch."

Their laughter echoed through the store as they began filling the trolleys, unnoticed by the curious smiles of several townsfolk who quietly wondered if the two young people were more than just friends.

The two trolleys were already beginning to fill as Sienna and Kristopher made their way through the supermarket.

Kristopher carefully placed two frozen turkeys into one trolley before reaching for several packs of sausages.

Sienna ticked each item off the list.

For a few moments, they worked in comfortable silence.

Eventually, Kristopher glanced across at her.

"So..."

Sienna looked up.

"So?"

He smiled gently.

"How are you really feeling?"

She knew exactly what he meant.

"About tonight."

Her smile faded slightly.

She looked down at the shopping list in her hands.

"I've been trying not to think about it."

Kristopher slowly pushed the trolley beside her.

"You don't have to pretend with me. You know that, don't you?"

She nodded.

"I know."

He stopped walking, turning to face her.

"Sea! You promised me yesterday. No hiding." No bottling things up." If something's worrying you.You tell me

He smiled reassuringly.

"You can tell me anything."

Sienna let out a slow breath.

"I'm nervous."Really nervous."

Kristopher listened quietly.

"I'm scared that seeing them will bring everything back. I'm scared Mum will cry.Dad will apologise. Jordan won't know what to say."

She swallowed hard.

"And Willow..."

Her voice became quieter.

"I don't know which Willow is coming. The sister who might actually be trying or the one who made me feel invisible for years."

Kristopher gently rested a hand on the trolley.

"That's a completely normal thing to worry about."

Sienna looked at him.

"I don't want Christmas to become another day where I end up crying."

"You won't be on your own this time," Kristopher said softly.

"If you need five minutes,We'll go outside,If you need an hour,We'll disappear to the barn.",If you want to go for a walk.I'll come with you. If you don't want to talk at all.I'll just sit beside you."

He smiled warmly.

"You don't have to carry any of this by yourself anymore."

A small smile appeared on Sienna's face.

"You always know what to say."

Kristopher laughed.

"Not always but I do know one thing: Whatever happens tonight,you've got me. You've got your grandparents, you've got Uncle Kenny, Rachel, Heather and Louis,You've got a whole ranch full of people who love you."

Sienna reached over and gently squeezed his hand.

"Thank you For always making me feel like I matter."

Kristopher looked at her with a smile that reached his eyes.

"You've always mattered, Sea. I just wish more people had told you that sooner."

Sienna felt her eyes begin to water.

This time, they weren't tears of sadness.

They were tears of relief.

She smiled.

"I think no matter what happens tonight I'll be okay."

Kristopher nodded confidently.

"I know you will Because this time you won't be facing it alone."

Together, they carried on shopping, the conversation easing the weight that had been sitting on Sienna's shoulders all morning.By the time they reached the final aisle, both shopping trolleys were overflowing.

The frozen turkeys sat at the bottom beneath packs of meat, while crisps, bottles of fizzy drinks, fruit juice and snacks were stacked so high that Kristopher had to peer around them just to see where he was pushing.

He laughed.

"I think we've officially bought half the shop."

Sienna giggled as she crossed the last item off the list.

“We actually managed to get everything Grandma asked for. That's a miracle in itself."

They wheeled the trolleys towards the front of the store and parked them beside the checkout to wait for Grandma.

She was nowhere to be seen yet.

Kristopher leaned against one of the trolleys.

"So What are you thinking about now?"

Sienna looked out through the large front window at the snow falling outside.

She was quiet for a moment before speaking.

"I've been thinking If tonight goes okay Or at least... doesn't end badly.I'd like us all to have a campfire in a few days."

Kristopher smiled.

"A campfire?"

She nodded.

"After I've had a proper sit-down with Mum and Dad. Once everyone's had chance to say what they need to say. I thought maybe we could all spend an evening outside."

She smiled faintly as she pictured it.

"Wrap up in blankets,Toast marshmallows Drink hot choco,No phones,No distractions,Just talking and listening to stories as Gramps tells the best "

Kristopher listened carefully.

"I don't want it to be another family meeting, I want it to feel like we're making a new memory."

She looked down at her hands.

"I can't erase everything that's happened and I don't expect one conversation to fix years of hurt But maybe.”

She looked back at him.

"We could start building something new some good memories while we are here ."

Kristopher's smile softened.

"I think that's a wonderful idea."

He paused before adding,

"It sounds exactly like something you'd come up with."

Sienna laughed quietly.

"What does that mean?"

"It means...You've got one of the biggest hearts I've ever known. Most people would build walls. You're trying to build bridges."

She smiled.

"I don't know if they'll cross them."

Kristopher reached over and gently rested his hand over hers.

"That's their choice..But at least they'll know you gave them the chance."

Just then, Grandma appeared around the corner, pushing another trolley that was just as full as theirs.

Kristopher stared in disbelief.

"Grandma..."

"There was another trolley?"

Grandma cheeky smiles.

"Oh yes. I may have found a few extra things."

Sienna laughed.

"A few?

Rachel would have a fit if she saw that baking aisle."

Grandma winked.

"You can never have too much food at Christmas."

Kristopher shook his head with a grin.

"I think we're going to need a bigger pantry."

Grandma laughed.

"Probably Now come on, you two."

"Let's get all this home before your Gramps starts wondering where his lunch has disappeared to.”