Last Christmas (Private 0.60)

***Ariana gripped the chain-link fence and marveled at how well the gloves Noelle had given her kept out

the cold. Squinting into the heavy fog, she stared at the large double doors that loomed at the top of several

sets of rambling steps. A large stone archway carved with the words easton high school, est. 1935 crumbled

over the doors. Moss had crept into the crevices of the letters, giving them a greenish tinge. With the

exception of a ragged American flag whipping in the wind, the school grounds were bare. Silent.

A loud car drove by-silver, four-door, broken muffler-and Ariana checked her watch. Just then the harsh

clanging of the afternoon bell echoed in the halls and around the deserted grounds. Seconds later, the doors

flew open and waves of students poured down the steps. She blocked out the noise that flooded the yard as

they spilled into the street. Settled into the quiet calm of her mind, searching the crowds for a familiar face.

This time

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would be different. This time, she would be the one catching Mel off guard.

Ariana almost didn't see her, hunched over in jeans and the same leather jacket she'd worn the day before.

The same dark scarf secured around her long neck. Mel crossed her arms over her chest and took the stairs

two at a time, keeping her head down. Instinctively, Ariana turned away as Mel slipped through the high

gates. The other students huddled together in groups, laughing and talking. Mel stayed by herself, ducking

through the patches of students without acknowledging them. Ariana watched as Mel moved quickly down

the sidewalk, sidestepping the weeds in the cracked cement.

"Hey!"

Ariana looked up, startled. A tall kid in camouflage pants was blocking her path. An unlit cigarette hung limp

between his lips. A group of a few guys stood behind him, smirking in her direction.

"What?" she snapped, keeping her eye on Mel. The distance between them was widening fast. She felt her

heart throbbing in her chest. She couldn't lose her. This was her chance.

"Got a light?" the kid sneered, stepping closer.

"No." Ariana shook her head, staring past him. "I don't smoke."

"No big deal." He pulled the cigarette from between his lips and stuffed it in his pocket. "You new around

here?"

"Kind of." Mel was crossing the street, cutting through the gas station parking lot on the corner. If Ariana

didn't move fast, she was going to lose sight of her. She shoved past the group of guys. The sharp sound of

her heels pounding against the cement overpowered the