Abigail – POV
It's been two weeks since the Skull Cavern fiasco, and I haven't seen or heard from Hannah once.
Sebastian claims he hasn't either, and when I asked why he hasn't gone over there to check on her—you know, like a decent maybe-boyfriend-person should—he just sort of... wilted. He looked completely and utterly lost. And that's saying something, because Sebastian practically invented looking lost. He's like a stray cat that forgot where its favorite alley is.
"She wants space," he told me, voice hollow, like he wasn't even sure if he believed it. "She can't heal with anyone watching."
And maybe I get that. I've never been through what she has. I can't imagine what it's like to walk into that hellhole and come out with your body in one piece, but your soul cracked down the middle. Still, it sucks. Winter Star is here, and she's alone. No dad, no real family. She left him in the city when she moved here—and now what? A cozy little existential breakdown just in time for the holidays?
I'm not the type to listen to boys, but when Sebastian looked at me with this weird mix of haunted and commanding—like a half-dead general giving me one last order—I knew I had to back off. He's my friend too. If space is what he says she needs, I'll give it.
Didn't stop me from calling her, though. Straight to voicemail. Again. So I guess Seb's telling the truth.
Meanwhile, things at Casa de Awkward are getting progressively worse. Mom's been quiet. Like, weirdly quiet. Pierre's tiptoeing around like he's afraid she's going to go full postal on him with a parsnip. She hasn't told him the truth yet, and I think holding it in is eating her alive. Honestly, same. Knowing your biological dad lives a mile away and couldn't even be bothered to buy a loaf of bread for you growing up? That hurts more than I thought it would. But hey—let's protect Pierre's feelings, right? Because God forbid we upset the man who sells overpriced wallpaper and never once learned how to properly parent.
Anyway. Today is the Feast of the Winter Star—Pelican Town's big holiday bash. A day full of shiny lights, gift-giving, community spirit, and—if the universe has a smidge of mercy—maybe even Hannah. If anything could bring her out of hiding, it's this. So, I grabbed my coat and headed out, letting the cold slap me fully awake.
The town square looks like a snow globe exploded. The twelve-foot Winter Star tree stands like a glittering guardian over the festivities, and tables line the walkways, groaning under the weight of food (courtesy of everyone, but mostly Gus and his need to impress literally everyone).
I spot Sebastian first—back turned, standing eerily still by the frozen river, the wind rustling his hair. A cigarette dangles from his fingers, smoke curling into the air like a sigh he hasn't managed to let out yet.
I walk up beside him.
"Merry Winter Fest, Seb," I say, forcing way more cheer than I feel.
"Yay," he mutters, monotone. Which, honestly, is a relief. If Sebastian stops responding entirely, that's when you know things are really dire.
"You and your family open presents this morning?" I ask, trying to sound casual, scanning the crowd behind him like a stalker. No sign of her.
"I slept in longer than everyone. Probably for the best since I didn't get anyone anything," he says with a shrug, taking a drag.
I smirk. "I also got no one anything. My mom and dad are both currently on my naughty list."
"Which dad?" he deadpans, and I snort, shoving his arm.
Before he can retaliate, Sam comes charging toward us like a puppy off-leash. "Happy Winter Star!" he exclaims, cheeks flushed, with Penny following more gracefully behind him. She gives me a warm smile, the kind that could melt glaciers.
Then I see Alex striding toward us from the opposite side of the square, and I launch into motion, intercepting him like a human speed bump before the testosterone meter starts boiling over.
"If this is about Hannah, read the room, Romeo. Not the time."
"It's not," he says, side-stepping me with the quiet determination of a man on a mission. My eyebrows shoot up in alarm as he walks straight up to Sebastian, who still hasn't moved an inch.
"Hey, Sebastian," Alex starts, holding out a flat, paper-thin, gift-wrapped rectangle. "I wanted to give you this. As an apology."
Time. Stops.
Sam's mouth falls open. Penny's eyes widen. Even Sebastian blinks. Twice.
"Is it poisoned?" Seb asks, raising an eyebrow but taking it anyway.
Alex actually laughs. "Nah. Just a peace offering. I've been kind of a dick to you—and I know we were never close—but that wasn't cool of me."
Did... did Alex just mature? Is this personal growth happening in public?
Sebastian unwraps the gift slowly. It's a book. Sam peeks and nearly rips it out of his hands.
"Whoa! Is that a first edition Solarian Chronicles catalog?!" he gasps. "Sorry," he adds, realizing he's practically tackled him.
Alex rubs the back of his neck, modest. "My grandpa was into that stuff. It was just lying around."
Sebastian flips through it with barely-contained reverence. He doesn't say much, but I know this is practically holy scripture to him.
"Thanks," he says finally, in his usual flat tone. "This is... cool."
Translation: I love this more than life itself.
"No problem. Happy Winter Star, everyone," Alex says, flashing his signature movie-star grin before casually strutting off toward Haley, who already looks halfway in love with his biceps.
"Well that was... surprisingly nice," I say, still stunned.
"Really nice," Sam echoes, beaming. Penny chuckles beside him.
Sebastian glances up one last time, eyes sweeping the crowd. Searching. Hoping.
And when he doesn't find her, he looks down again.
She's not coming. And I can see him realizing that all over again
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