A NOT-SO-MERRY CHRISTMAS

Chapter 6: Right Move, Wrong Person

Mary and Lily finally arrived at the park. It with life, a medley of delighted laughter and animated chatter blending with the soft melodies of a street performer’s guitar. Twinkling lights wrapped around evergreens cast a warm glow against the crisp December air, while the faint aroma of roasted chestnuts and caramelized treats drifted through the breeze. Cobblestone pathways curved gently between snow-dusted lawns, guiding families, couples, and groups of friends through a scene that felt almost magical.

Mary and Lily strolled leisurely, their boots crunching lightly against the frosted ground. A small pond nearby rippled as ducks paddled across its surface, quacking as children flung breadcrumbs with gleeful abandon. Mary adjusted her scarf against the cool nip in the air, her eyes flitting between the festive decor and the carefree joy of those around her.

"Now this," Lily said, spinning in place with her arms spread wide, "is what December is all about."

Mary chuckled, glancing toward a group of teenagers attempting to build a lopsided snowman near the pond’s edge. "Not bad," she agreed, her lips quirking into a faint smile.

Satisfied with the park’s lively atmosphere, they continued along the path, their conversation light as they soaked in the festive surroundings.

“Let’s play something!” Lily declared, pointing to a ring toss booth lit up by multicolored string lights.

“Ring toss? Really?” Mary arched a brow but followed Lily to the booth anyway, the vendor greeting them with a toothy grin.

“Alright, ladies, five rings for five dollars. Land one on the bottles to win a prize!” he said, gesturing to a row of brightly colored glass bottles.

Mary smirked as Lily handed over the money, rolling up her sleeves dramatically. “Watch and learn, Crawford,” Lily quipped, gripping a ring with exaggerated precision.

The first toss sailed wide, bouncing off a bottle with a loud clink. Mary laughed. “You’re terrible at this!”

“Beginner’s misstep,” Lily shot back, determined. Her second and third attempts weren’t any better, drawing more laughter from Mary. By the fourth toss, Lily’s competitive side kicked in. She narrowed her eyes, focused intently, and finally landed a ring with a victorious yell.

“Ha! Beat that!” Lily grinned, turning to Mary, who stepped up with a playful shrug.

Mary’s first throw was a miss, the ring skidding across the table and falling to the ground. Lily burst into laughter, earning a side-eye from Mary. “Beginner’s misstep,” Mary mimicked, earning a mock gasp from Lily.

With her second try, Mary aimed carefully, biting her lip in concentration. The ring spun through the air and landed perfectly on a bottle neck. “Yes!” she cheered, throwing her arms up.

“Beginner’s luck,” Lily teased, but the two dissolved into giggles as the vendor handed them small stuffed reindeer toys.

From a short distance, the man with jet-black hair observed the scene, leaning against a nearby post. His sharp jawline, clean-shaven face, and neatly styled hair gave him a polished yet approachable look. He smirked faintly, watching her as she threw her head back in laughter, completely unaware of his steady gaze.

The women moved on to another game, this time a balloon dart throw. Mary fared better here, popping three balloons and earning a festive snow globe as a prize. Lily, despite her earlier confidence, could only manage one.

“Alright, one more game before a break?” Lily suggested, spotting a basketball toss stall.

“Sure, but don’t cry when I win again,” Mary teased, stepping up to the line.

The two competed fiercely, their laughter echoing as they alternated turns. Mary sank a basket on her third try, earning applause from the vendor, while Lily missed by a frustrating inch. By the end of the round, Mary emerged the victor, cradling her prize—a small, plush penguin.

“Let’s grab something to drink,” Mary suggested, clutching her penguin like a trophy.

They made their way to a small outdoor café near the edge of the park. The warm light from the café spilled out into the night, inviting and cozy. They ordered two hot chocolates, the rich scent of chocolate and whipped cream filling the air. Settling at a small table, they sipped their drinks, taking a moment to rest.

Mary caught sight of the man again, seated a few tables away. She dared to steal a glance, her heart skipping when she thought his eyes met hers. He looked away just as quickly, and Mary turned back to her drink, her cheeks warming.

“He’s looking again,” Lily teased, nudging her with a grin.

“Maybe he’s admiring my competitive spirit,” Mary replied, trying to sound nonchalant.

They finished their drinks almost in silence and decided to explore more of the park. The warm glow of the café lights faded behind them as they strolled toward the heart of the activity, their laughter mingling with the lively atmosphere. The rides and attractions sparkled against the evening sky, beckoning them for another round of fun.

“Let’s go for something thrilling,” Lily suggested, pointing to a carousel with oversized reindeer and candy-cane poles spinning slowly to festive music.

“That’s thrilling to you?” Mary teased, raising an eyebrow.

“No, but it’s festive, and you do need to loosen up,” Lily countered, grabbing Mary’s hand and pulling her toward the ride.

The two mounted neighboring reindeer, giggling like schoolgirls as the ride started to spin. The world blurred in a whirl of lights and laughter, and for a moment, Mary felt her worries melt away.

As they dismounted, Lily spotted something else—a giant Ferris wheel adorned with twinkling lights. “We have to do that!”

Mary hesitated, glancing at the towering structure. “I don’t know…”

“Oh, come on! What’s the worst that could happen? Plus, the view from the top will be amazing,” Lily coaxed.

With a resigned sigh, Mary allowed herself to be dragged to the line. As they waited, she noticed the same man from earlier standing off to the side, his eyes unmistakably on them—or so she thought. Her pulse quickened, and she nudged Lily.

“Don’t look now, but he’s here again,” Mary whispered.

Lily turned her head slightly, catching a glimpse of the man. “He’s cute,” she said, her tone neutral but intrigued.

“Very cute,” Mary agreed, her heart racing.

Their turn came, and they boarded the Ferris wheel, settling into their shared gondola. As the wheel ascended, the city lights stretched out before them, glittering against the dark December sky. They marveled at the sight, chatting softly about everything and nothing.

When the ride ended, they wandered toward one of the game booths near the far side of the park. This one was a test-your-strength challenge, complete with a towering bell and a large mallet. Lily dared Mary to try, but Mary refused, laughing.

“You first,” Mary said, crossing her arms.

“Fine.” Lily picked up the mallet and swung with all her might, managing to send the indicator halfway up. “Not bad, huh?”

Mary shook her head, chuckling. “I’ll stick to spectating.”

As they prepared to leave the booth, the man appeared again, this time closer than before. This had to be a very crazy coincidence. Mary’s heart was fluttered, and she couldn’t help but glance his way, and he indeed glanced back, but for a different reason.

The two moved on to one final ride, a spinning teacup attraction that left them both dizzy with laughter. By the time they stumbled off, their cheeks were flushed, and their spirits were high.

“Alright, one more stroll, and then we call it a day?” Mary suggested, adjusting her scarf.

“You look like you're starting to enjoy this hangout more than me huh” Lily replied playfully, wiggling her brows.

"I-" Mary's face was red. She didn't know whether to say yes or no to that, she felt like it was a trap. "Don't be silly, let's go" she finally wiggled her way out as she pulled Lily's arm as they walked.

The truth is, she hoped, she earnestly believed, that the fine elegant looking man who finally caught her eye, would make his move alas but if only she knew, she would have prayed otherwise.

As they walked, the man finally made his move. He approached with a confident yet approachable stride, a smile lighting up his face. Mary’s heart raced as he drew nearer, the anticipation of his greeting building.

“Hi, pretty,” he said, his deep voice cutting through the noise around them.

Mary felt her breath hitch, her cheeks warming under his gaze. Then, with a devastating precision, he turned his attention—and his words—not to her but to Lily.

The world around Mary seemed to freeze, the vibrant sounds of the park fading to a dull hum. Her mind scrambled to comprehend what had just happened. Her lips parted slightly, but no words came out.

Lily blinked in confusion, glancing at Mary as if to confirm this wasn’t some kind of mistake. But the man didn’t waver. His piercing, jet-black eyes locked onto Lily’s, and his smile deepened.

“I’ve been noticing you all evening,” he said, his voice warm and inviting. “You’ve got this incredible energy I just couldn’t ignore.”

Mary’s chest tightened, her initial flustered excitement replaced by a sinking sensation. Her stomach churned as his words struck her like sharp, deliberate arrows. This can’t be real. This can’t be happening.

“I wasn’t sure if I should approach,” he continued, “but I figured if I didn’t, I’d regret it.”

Lily, still stunned, glanced at Mary again, her lips forming a barely audible “Oh.” The hesitation in her demeanor was evident, but the man pressed on.

“You’re absolutely captivating,” he added, taking a step closer to Lily. “I’d love to get to know you better. Maybe we can go for a walk?”

Mary felt her knees weaken. Her face flushed, but this time it wasn’t from excitement—it was humiliation, sharp and relentless. Every ounce of self-assurance she’d felt earlier crumbled.

Lily gave an awkward chuckle, trying to defuse the tension. “I... uh... this might not be the best time.”

The man tilted his head, his confidence undeterred. “Then let me give you my number. Or take yours—whatever’s easier. I don’t want to pressure you, but I’d hate to let this chance pass by.”

Lily hesitated but finally nodded, her cheeks tinged pink. She fished her phone from her pocket and exchanged contacts with him, her movements careful as though wary of Mary’s reaction.

Meanwhile, Mary stood frozen, her expression betraying her every emotion. Shock. Embarrassment. Anger. The betrayal she felt was irrational—Lily hadn’t done anything wrong—but it burned all the same. She glanced down, her gaze landing on the scuff marks on her boots as if searching for something to anchor her.

“Thanks, Lily,” the man said with a satisfied grin. “I’ll reach out soon.” His tone was light but held a trace of flirtation. Then he gave Mary a polite nod. “Nice to meet you.”

Nice to meet you? Mary’s jaw tightened, but she managed to muster a tight, forced smile in return.

As the man walked away, Lily turned to Mary, her expression a mix of concern and awkwardness. “Mary…”

“It’s fine,” Mary said quickly, cutting her off. But her voice wavered, betraying her words.

Lily frowned. “Are you sure? I didn’t mean—”

“I said it’s fine,” Mary snapped, though she regretted her tone immediately. She exhaled sharply, shaking her head. “Let’s just go. I’ve had enough fun for one day.”

Lily glanced in the direction the man had gone, then back at Mary. “Okay,” she said softly, knowing better than to push.

They walked side by side in silence, the lively park around them suddenly feeling oppressive. Mary’s thoughts swirled, her emotions raw and untamed. She felt foolish for assuming, foolish for hoping.

As they passed a brightly lit Christmas tree near the park's exit, Mary forced herself to focus on her breathing, the cool air stinging her cheeks. She couldn’t let this ruin her day. Not completely.

But deep down, she knew this moment would stay with her—a sharp, unyielding reminder of what it felt like to fall from cloud nine straight into the cold, hard ground.